United States. Federal Radio Commission Search this
Extent:
0.5 Cubic feet (1 box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Personal papers
Photographs
Correspondence
Date:
1911-1965
Summary:
The collection documents W.D.Terrell's life, specifically his work as Chief of the Radio Division in the Commerce Department. Terrell was responsible for monitoring the institution of radio into the nation's defense forces.
Scope and Contents:
This eight folder collection documents William Dandridge Terrell's life from his 1911 appointment to the Commerce Department to the his death in the 1960s. The collection consists of a brief and partially completed autobiography and descendant listing; a large body of correspondence related to financial planning, insurance policies, and appointment notices; a program from an American Wireless Operators Convention held in his honor; several retirement announcements; business correpsondence concerning Terrell's inspection job from 1911-1914; and four photographs of Terrell, his family, and his friends.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into one series.
Biographical / Historical:
William Dandrige Terrell (1871-1965) was born in rural Virginia and worked in government service for twenty-two years in the communications field. His specific duties are unknown, but in 1911, after his government service, he was appointed to a New York civilian post. His new duty was to insure the efficient operation of the freshly pioneered wireless apparatus on all Atlantic based Naval ships. In 1915, Terrell was transferred to Washington, D.C. where he supervised a staff of thirty-five. As Chief of Radio Division in the Commerce Department, Terrell was responsible for monitoring the [the use of?] radio nation's defense forces. Terrell was promoted to Chief of Field Operations for the Federal Radio Commission (FRC), which was created in 1934. Terrell continued in that post even when the FRC was changed to Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Terrell retired to Florida in 1943 at the age of 72. He died on March 23, 1965.
Related Materials:
Materials in the Archives Center
George H. Clark Collection of Radioana (AC0055)
Provenance:
The collection was donated by William Dandridge Terrell's wife in 1967.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
