Oral history interview with Louis G. Cowan, 1967

Biographical Note

Communications executive

Scope and Contents

Early interest in communications; University of Chicago; radio work in Chicago in the 1930s; various early productions, including "Quiz Kids"; work during World War II: Director, Voice of America and Office of War Information, New York, N.Y.; programs for War Department, including "Command Performance," "Chaplain Jim"; Louis G. Cowan radio and television productions, 1946-1955; transition from radio to television; Negroes in broadcast industry; use of broadcasting and television in Adlai Stevenson 1952 Presidential campaign; Peabody and other broadcast awards; CBS network role

Subjects

• African Americans in radio broadcasting.
• Barnouw, Erik, 1908-2001, interviewer.
• Cowan, Louis G., 1909-1976--Interviews.
• Interviews.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Presidents--United States--Election--1952.
• Radio producers and directors--Interviews.
• Radio supplies industry--United States.
• Television broadcasting.
• Television producers and directors--Interviews.
• United States. War Dept.
• World War, 1939-1945--Propaganda.

Access Conditions

Copyright by The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, 1980