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O. Preston Robinson papers

 Collection — oversize: 1
Identifier: MSS 6043

Scope and Contents

Materials deal with O. Preston Robinson's career, church, and personal life, including: awards, honors, and certificates, papers from his time serving as president of the British Mission, Deseret News correspondence and papers while he served as editor, his reports and articles, research for books, lessons and talks, photographs of many of the people he interviewed, including General Gruenther, Colonel Nasser of Egypt, Israel Premier Moshe Sharett, French Premier Reynaud, and Vice President (at the time) Richard Nixon, as well as papers about and by his wife, Christine. Dated 1945-1984.

Dates

  • 1945-1984

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from O. Preston Robinson papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Oliver Preston Robinson (1903-1990) was the editor and manager of Deseret News and served in several leadership positions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Oliver Preston Robinson was born 25 June 1903 in Farmington, Utah, to Romina Chaffin and James Henry Robinson. He married Christine Hinckley 16 September 1929. They had two daughters and one son together. Robinson earned his BA degree from Brigham Young University in 1928. He took special courses at the Universities of Munich, Germany, and Grenoble, France, and then attended New York University where he earned his masters in 1929 and a Doctorate of Commercial Science in 1935. He was a professor at New York University, Hofstra College, University of Newark, and the National Institute of Credit. He also served as a specialist in personnel training for the J.C. Penny Company, as a consultant for retail companies, and managed a chain of New York stores. In 1947 he returned to Utah to work at the University of Utah as the head of the department of marketing. In 1952 he became editor and manager of Deseret News. O. Preston Robinson visited 13 countries in 1954 where he interviewed 86 prominent leaders, including prime ministers, ambassadors, cabinet members, and military officers. He also authored and co-authored many books in addition to numerous articles in the Deseret News. O. Preston Robinson was also an active member of the LDS church and served in various positions such as a missionary in France (1924-27), branch president (New York), Sunday school superintendent, member of the high council, and bishop. He served as the Mission President of the British Mission from 1964-1967. Robinson died November 10, 1990 after cardiac arrest at the age of 87. This biography was written based on the materials found within the collection. See also: http://www.mission.net/england/london/cgi-bin/rmdb41.cgi?action=view_all_pres

Extent

1 oversize box (1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Donated by Deseret News in 1987.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Deseret News; 1987.

Appraisal

LDS scholarship and historiography (Collection development policy of 20th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts, August 2007).

Processing Information

Processed; Melissa Cowles; 14 January 2008.

Title
Register of O. Preston Robinson papers
Status
Completed
Author
Melissa Cowles, Karen Glenn, student processors and John M. Murphy, curator
Date
2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States