Len O'Connor and Most Rev. William O'Connor collection of photographs, [ca.1940-1960]

  • Collection ID 1989.0943
  • Creator Names O'Connor, Len.
  • Title Len O'Connor and Most Rev. William O'Connor collection of photographs [graphic].
  • Dates [ca.1940-1960]
  • Physical description
    • 85 photographic prints : b&w ; 11 x 14 in. and smaller.
    • 3 video cassettes
  • Collection summary Photographs and moving images relating to the careers of Chicago television newsman Len O'Connor and his brother, Rev. William A. O'Connor, Catholic bishop of Springfield, Illinois, from 1948 to 1975. Len O'Connor photographs show him with various television engineers: on set for local Chicago news 5-minute "cut-ins" for the national NBC Today Show (which began in 1953); conducting interviews with various people; at Argonne National Laboratory; and at a Christmas party given by Charles H. Weber, alderman of the 45th ward; and after O'Connor's first book, They Talked to a Stranger, was published in 1959. Also included is a note by Len O'Connor listing the subjects of certain photographs and a group of eight photographs forming a narrative entitled "Camera Records a Typical Day for WMAQ Reporter." The images and text appeared in the December 1948 issue of The Chain Break, NBC-Chicago's in-house newsletter. Photographs (54) of Rev. William A. O'Connor include portraits and views showing O'Connor at Catholic Mass; events at Catholic Children's Home in Alton (Ill.); and an event at Saint Mary Parish in Pawnee (Ill.) with Rev. O'Connor and Father George E. Nelis. The Pawnee (Ill.) photographs (22) were taken by Winfred Helm. Also included are video recorded interviews with Len O<U+2019>Connor and video recording of 1987 Daley Show.
  • Acquisition information Gift of the Len O'Connor (1989.0943).
  • Terms Governing Use and Reproduction Please credit: Gift to Chicago Historical Society by Leonard J. O'Connor.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Len O'Connor (1912-1991) was a broadcast journalist for NBC WMAQ-TV Chicago, beginning as a news writer for the NBC Blue network. He was especially known for his unique voice and his "News on the Spot" clips and interviews recorded on the street.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Len O'Connor papers; a collection of Len O'Connor video and motion picture film; and books by O'Connor cataloged separately.
  • Names
    • O'Connor, Len Portraits.
    • O'Connor, Len. They talked to a stranger.
    • O'Connor, William Aloysius, 1903-1983 Portraits.
    • Nelis, George E.
    • Argonne National Laboratory Photographs.
    • Catholic Church Illinois Springfield Bishops.
    • WMAQ-TV (Television station : Chicago, Ill.) Photographs.
    • Helm, Winfred, photographer.
  • Subjects
    • Catholics Illinois Alton 1940-1959.
    • Catholics Illinois Chicago 1940-1959.
    • Catholics Illinois Pawnee 1940-1959.
    • Catholics Illinois Springfield 1940-1959.
    • Christmas Illinois Chicago 1940-1959.
    • Religious services Illinois Springfield 1940-1959. lctgm
    • Reporters Illinois Chicago 1940-1959. lctgm
    • Television journalists Illinois Chicago 1940-1959.
    • Television broadcasting of news Illinois Chicago 1940-1959.
    • Television production & direction Illinois Chicago 1940-1959. lctgm
    • Television programs Illinois Chicago 1940-1959. lctgm
    • Television studios Illinois Chicago 1940-1959. lctgm
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 1940-1959.
    • Illinois Social conditions 1940-1959.
  • Genre
    • Exterior views. aat
    • Group portraits. gmgpc
    • Interior views. aat
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc
    • Portrait photographs. gmgpc
    • Video recordings. aat
  • Geographic name
    • United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
    • United States Illinois Sangamon County Springfield.