Collection search - Walter S. Thompson papers [textual record; graphic material]

Record information – Brief
1
Walter S. Thompson papers [textual record; graphic material]

Hierarchical level:

Sub-series

Date:

1906-1966.

Reference:

R231-5499-9-E, RG30

Type of material:

Photographs, Textual material

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

6195844

Context of this record:

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Canadian National Railway Company fonds

CN Oral histories and records of individual officers

Walter S. Thompson papers
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Record information – Details

Date(s):

1906-1966.

Place of creation:

Canada

Extent:

0.4 meters of textual records: b&w photographs interfiled

Language of material:

English

Scope and content:

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This sub-series consists relate to the activities of Walter S. Thompson, head of Public Relations at Canadian National Railways from 1922 to 1939 and from 1945 to 1950. There is a mixture of textual records and photographs documenting his career prior to arrival at CN, his career while with CN, and also some material during his life in retirement. Thompson was also head of public relations for Trans Canada Airlines, and, from 1939-1945 was chief Censor for the Government of Canada.

Provenance:

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Thompson, Walter S

Biography/Administrative history:

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Thompson, Walter S : Walter S. Thompson (1886-1966) was born in Newcastle on Tyne, United Kingdom. He worked at a variety of jobs with various newspapers in England, New Zealand, and Canada in the first fourteen years of the 20th century. In 1914, he was appointed head of the Press Office of the Grand Trunk Railway, a position he held until his appointment as head of the CN Publicity Bureau (later Public Relations Department) in 1922. He was also appointed head of Public Relations for Trans Canada Airlines in 1936. During World War Two, he became Chief Censor for the Government of Canada, a position that oversaw what could and could not be published in newspapers and other media. After the war, he returned to CN and TCA for another four years, retiring in 1950. Over his long career, Thompson was friends with a large variety of people, including figures in positions of power, including British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, the archbishop of Canterbury and his wife, as well as various members of the British royal family.

Additional information:

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Related material:

For related material, see the Public Relations Department series, MIKAN ID number 164439 as well as the sub-series Miscellaneous Public Relations Records, MIIKAN ID number 5959113.

Subject heading:

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Canadian National Railways - marketing - advertising - branding

Source:

Private

Former archival reference no.:

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RG30
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Conditions of access:

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Graphic (photo)

[Consultation90 Open]

Volume [R231]

[Consultation 90 Open]

16862;

[Consultation 90 Open]

16864;

[Consultation 90 Open]

Textual records

[Consultation90 Open]

Volume [R231]

[Consultation 90 Open]

16862;

[Consultation 90 Open]

16864;

[Consultation 90 Open]

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Date modified:: 2024-06-12