NPR Pathfinder - Histories

The National Public Broadcasting Archives, through the University of Maryland, contains meticulous links and bibliographies to the history, related collections, reference materials and other available archival holdings concerning National Public radio.

Kirkish, Joseph Brady. “A Descriptive History of America’s First National Public Radio Network: National Public Radio, 1970 to 1974.” Diss. University of Michigan, 1980. University of Michigan, Kresge Business Administration Library [HE8697.5.U6]

Although only available at the University of Michigan, this unpublished dissertation covers the early NPR history, focusing on the term of first President, Donald Quayle.

Garry, Kennth J. “The History of National Public Radio, 1974-1977.” Diss. Southern Illinois University, 1982. Southern Illinois University [Dewey: 384.5455]

Also held at the University of California-San Diego, Bowling Green State University and the University of Oregon, this dissertation is the second in the three-paper series covering the NPR’s early history. Garry’s focus is on the term of the second NPR President, Lee Frischknecht.

Robert Siegel
Senior host of
All Things Considered

Bayles, Maureen Veronica. “A Descriptive History of National Public Radio: 1977-1983 : A Financial Crisis.” Thesis (M.A.) Wake Forest University, Dept. of Communication, 1995. Wake Forest University [HE8697.95.U6]

This third paper comprises a history of the merger of National Public Radio and the Association of Public Radio Stations (APRS).