Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the William Dandridge Terrell Papers

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0097
Creators:
Terrell, William Dandridge, 1871-1960s (radio communication specialist)
Dates:
1911-1965
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.5 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:
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

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

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into one series.

Biographical / Historical

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.

Administration

Author
Robert Harding, archivist
Custodial History
Donated to the Division of Electricity by Terrell's wife in 1967. Transferred from the Division of Electricity (now the Division of Work and Industry), on March 30, 1984.
Processing Information
Processed by Robert Harding, archivist, 1985.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by William Dandridge Terrell's wife in 1967.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
William Dandrige Terrell Papers, 1911-1965, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
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.

Related Materials
Materials in the Archives Center
George H. Clark Collection of Radioana (AC0055)

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
National defense Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wireless communication system Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Personal papers -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Communications Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Radio communication specialists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 1930-1950 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Radio -- History Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Radio -- Defense Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States. Federal Radio Commission Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States. Commerce Department Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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