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Agency History/Biographical note:
Edward R. Murrow was born as Egbert Roscoe Murrow on April 25, 1908 near Greensboro, North Carolina. He graduated from Washington State College in 1930 and then served a two year term as president of the National Student Federation of America. He joined the Emergency Committee in Aid of Displaced German Scholars in 1933 and did occasional radio talks. Based on these broadcasts he was hired as director of talks and education for CBS in 1935. In 1934 he married Janet Brewster, a 1933 Mount Holyoke College graduate, who served on the board of trustees for three terms. In 1937 they went to London while Edward was head of the CBS European Bureau. He stayed in Europe throughout the war, covering the Battle of Britain and the Munich Conference, among other events. When he returned to the United States he became vice-president of the news at CBS. In 1951 he moved from radio to television, with a documentary called "See it now." In 1953, in the height of McCarthyism, Murrow aired a program which forced the secretary of the Air Force to review its policies. Additional programs brought similar results. In 1961 Murrow left CBS to become director of the U.S. Information Agency under President Kennedy. He retired in 1964, and died the following year.

Scope and Content:
The Edward Roscoe Murrow and Janet Brewster Murrow Papers contain correspondence, published and unpublished writings, subject files, financial and legal records, biographical material, memorabilia, Brewster and Murrow family papers and photographs, chiefly dating from 1929-1965. Of particular note are letters written by and to the Murrows while they were in Great Britain during World War II which reflect his work as director of European broadcasting for CBS, Inc. and her duties as executive director of the London Committee of Bundles for Britain, Inc. Also includes letters and other documents  concerning his service as director of the United States Information Agency (1961-1964) and her association with Reid Hall, Inc., Sydenham Hospital (New York), Vidyodaya Girls' High School (India) and other organizations, usually as a volunteer worker.

Cite as: Edward R. and Janet Brewster Murrow Papers, Mount Holyoke College, Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, Massachusetts

Access Restrictions: Unrestricted

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