Herbert Threlkeld Edwards papers, 1900-1977

Herbert Threlkeld Edwards was a documentary film maker. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1924 with a degreee in economics he was secretary and publicity agent for the International Grenfell Association, which supported hospitals, orphanages and other charitable endeavors in Labrador and Newfoundland. Beginning in 1931, he organized and managed several independent film production companies including Edwards Productions, Commonwealth Pictures, Adventure Films and Non-Theatrical Pictures Corporation. Edwards worked for the U.S. Department of State from 1942-1953 as director of motion picture services for its foreign information programs. He was producer for the 1946 sound version of the documentary film "Nanook of the North."

Edwards was married to India Edwards who was active in national politics and was vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He encountered difficulties with Senator Joseph McCarthy's investigations of the film industry and resigned from the State Department at the beginning of the Eisenhower administration. He was an international film consultant until 1961, when he returned to government service as director of motion picture services for the United States Information Service. He retired in 1970.