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Phillips H. Lord papers, 1907-1976 (bulk 1930-1942)

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Lord, Phillips H. (Phillips Haynes)
Title
Phillips H. Lord papers
Dates
1907-1976 (bulk 1930-1942) (inclusive)
Quantity
17.28 cubic ft. (36 boxes)
Collection Number
06798
Summary
Contains the papers of Phillips Lord, radio program writer, creator, producer, narrator, and actor.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid has been made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

Lord (1902-1975) created over eighteen radio and television programs, including "Seth Parker"; "Seth Parker's Old Fashioned Singing School"; "G-Men"; "Gangbusters"; and "Mr. District Attorney." The "Seth Parker" series was his most popular work, in which he appeared, wrote, produced, and directed. Lord was born in Hartford, Vermont but moved shortly after to Meriden, Connecticut where his father became the pastor of a local church. He graduated with honors from Bowdoin College in 1923 and then became principal of the high school in Plainville, Connecticut, at just twenty-two years old, the youngest person to hold such a post in the state. However, he tired of the academic life and began writing short stories, eventually moving to New York City in 1927. His break came from his first program "Old Fashioned Singing School," broadcast on a Hartford station, which received favorable letters and was picked up by five stations. Eventually, NBC decided it wanted the series, which led to the formation of "Seth Parker." In 1935 Lord bought a schooner and attempted to sail around the world, but the ship was wrecked in a storm near Tahiti. Lord and the crew survived, but the trip was curtailed as the ship was wrecked and sold for parts.

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Content Description

Collection contains extensive correspondence; manuscripts; musical scores; news clippings; publications; advertisements; legal and financial material; photographs; negatives; scrapbooks; scripts; a log kept while on his world-wide voyage; the manuscript for "Seth Parker's Scrapbook"; and 78 rpm phonograph records for the radio programs "Seth Parker," "Seth Parker's Old Fashioned Singing School," and "Sunday Evenings at Seth Parker's."

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

There is another archival collection pertaining to Phillips Lord's radio character "Seth Parker" at the Library of Congress.

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Jean Lord Greenlaw (daughter), in 1977 and 1990. Material was recieved from Kris McCray (on behalf of Jean Greenlaw) in May 2024.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by Kathryn Brooks in March 2012. This collection was updated by Brittany Heye in February 2026.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ocean travel
  • Shipwrecks
  • Radio programs -- United States.
  • Voyages and travels.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Phonograph records.
  • Photographs.
  • Radio scripts.
  • Scores.
  • Scrapbooks.

Titles within the Collection

  • Seth Parker (Radio program)

Processed by Kathryn Brooks
2012

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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