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United States. - Committee on Public Information | United States. - Committee on Public Information. - Division of Four Minute Men | United States. - Committee on Public Information. - Division of Four Minute Men - Periodicals | Propaganda, American | World War, 1914-1918 | World War, 1914-1918 - Social aspects | United States | Social aspects | Propaganda - American | 1910-1920 | World War - 1914-1918 | World War - 1914-1918 - Social aspects - United States | 1914-1918 | Periodicals
[William McCormick Blair Collection]
- Creator: Blair, William McCormick
The William McCormick Blair Collection consists of letters, news bulletins, pamphlets, publications, newspaper clippings and photographs related to Blair's service as the National Director of the Four Minute Men, a division of the Committee on Public Information during WWI.
- OCLC #: 800160952
- Physical Location: Special Collections — Papers — PAPERS 109
- Publisher: 1916-1924.
- Physical Description: 4 linear feet
- Biographical/Historical:
- Born May 2, 1884 into a notable Chicago family, William McCormick Blair was destined for success. Upon graduating from Yale, Blair rose through the ranks to become a Managing Partner at the investment firm of Lee, Higginson & Co. in Chicago. On February 10, 1912 he married Helen Hadduck Bowen, daughter of Chicago banker, Joseph Tilton Bowen. On the eve of the U.S. entrance into WWI, opinions toward the war were unfavorable. In light of this, President Woodrow Wilson created the Committee on Public Information, headed by George Creel, to propagate millions (especially those that were illiterate, foreign born, and non-English speaking) into gaining support for the war. The CPI consisted of over twenty bureaus and divisions by the end of WWI. Of these divisions, one of the most successful was the Four Minute Men. Over 75,000 men were recruited to give 4 minute war support speeches during the reel changes at motion pictures. The 4MM successfully reached out to over 400 million listeners during its 18 month run. Much of this success was due to Blair's hard work ethic, courtesy, motivation and zeal. On August 31, 1918, Blair officially resigned from his position as National Director of the 4MM to join the Army. Letters and telegrams poured in from all ranks of the 4MM voicing their support and wishing their friend well as he set off to train at Camp Zachary Taylor in Louisville, KY. Blair was soon sent to France and returned home unharmed a few months after the armistice was signed. Blair died in on March 29, 1982 in Washington D.C.
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