Phillips H. Lord Collection, 1929-1957

Biographical Note

Phillips H. Lord was born July 13, 1902 in Hartford, Vermont as the son of a reverend. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 1923, Lord began a career as a radio actor for the NBC Blue Network in 1932. Soon thereafter, Lord expanded his radio career becoming a writer and producer. His contributions to radio from the 1930s-1950s were prolific -- making him a central figure during the golden age of radio.

Lord's early radio programming focused on the people and values he grew up with in New England. The Seth Parker series created by and starring Phillips H. Lord highlighted Christian values and mannerisms of the Maine people. His subsequent programming, Uncle Abe and David, for example, followed a similar vein that dramatized the adventures of real, small-town people. Lord sought to share New England authenticities like dialect and religious values with America. His wild success in telling home-spun stories demonstrated Lord's viability in radio -- enabling him to expand his programming and venture into highlighting the work of government agencies.

While Lord initially utilized his own upbringing and surroundings as the source for his early radio programming, beginning in 1935, Lord tapped into America's interests in crime and showcased the work of the government agencies fighting to keep America safe. Shows like Treasury Agent, David Harding, Counterspy, Mr. District Attorney, and Gang Busters best exemplify these efforts. Lord worked closely with the FBI, local police departments across the United States, and various agency contacts to research and produce content. Lord not only wanted to show the valiant efforts of our government officials and police, but he also teamed up with the aforementioned to spread the message that "crime does not pay."

In the 1940s, Phillips H. Lord simultaneously continued his empire in radio while pursuing a career in television and later film. Lord carried Gang Busters over from radio to television and developed new content like Black Robe. In 1953, Phillips H. Lord decided to retire and sell his production company to RKO-General Teleradio, Inc.