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Lowell Jackson Thomas photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: P1654

Scope and Contents

The Lowell Jackson Thomas photograph collection consists of 1 box containing 7 black-and-white and color photographs of Thomas during his travels and 1 sketch of Thomas. The collection dates from approximately the 1940s to 1970s.

The photopgraphs of Thomas at Alta were taken by Tom Plofchan. Permission and photo credits must be obtained and given.

Dates

  • 1944-2010

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Lowell Jackson Thomas photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.

Biographical Note

Lowell Jackson Thomas (1892-1981) was born on April 6, 1892 in Woodington, Ohio, to Harry and Harriet Wagner Thomas. When Lowell was eight, the family moved to Victor, Colorado. When Lowell Thomas was fifteen, the Thomas family moved back to Ohio. After graduating from high school, Thomas obtained B.S. degree from Valparaiso University. He went on to obtain both B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Denver and started working and writing for the Chicago Journal until 1914. While in Chicago, he was a professor at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, teaching oratory. He began studying at Princeton University, where he also taught oratory, to obtain another M.A. degree.

In 1915, Thomas traveled to Alaska and began a travelogue. This led the United States Government to commission him to film and record World War I events. As a war correspondent, Thomas met T.E. Lawrence, a captain in the British Army, in Jerusalem. Thomas shot footage of Lawrence which later led to the book With Lawrence in Arabia. Between 1930 and 1976, Thomas was a radio newscaster. In addition to his career in radio, Thomas traveled around the world and narrated Movietone newsreels (1935–52) and travelogues for Twentieth Century-Fox. He also wrote many books. Thomas broadcasted from combat zones during World War II, and in 1949 he was invited to Tibet by the Dalai Lama. He profiled outstanding historical figures on Public Broadcasting System's Lowell Thomas Remembers (1976–1979), and published a two-part autobiography, Good Evening Everybody (1977) and So Long Until Tomorrow (1978). Thomas also wrote Beyond Khyber Pass, about Afghanistan, and The First World Flight.

Lowell Thomas died on August 29, 1981 in Pawling, New York.

Extent

8 Items (1 box)

Abstract

Lowell Jackson Thomas (1892-1981) was an American radio broadcaster and writer who served as a war correspondent for both World War I and World War II. This collection contains photographs of Thomas' travels dating from approximately 1944 to the 1970s.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Terrell Dougan in 2011.

Separated Materials

See also the Lowell Jackson Thomas papers (ACCN 2591) in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections staff.
Title
Guide to the Lowell Jackson Thomas photograph collection, 1944-2010
Author
Finding aid created by Claire A. Kempa
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863