 The Archives of W. Graham Allen: A GuideCollection Number: MS-2-96Collection Level DescriptionTitle:
W. Graham Allen fonds Dates:
1898-1984 Extent:
1.3 metres of textual materials, 128 photographs Biographical SketchWilliam Graham Allen (1909-1986) was a freelance writer and broadcaster, best known for his work with the CBC. He was born
in Halifax on January 6, 1909 to William T. and Winnifred (Dodge) Allen. He attended Dalhousie University, class of 1929,
and also went to Royal Roads Military College and HMCS Cornwallis.
While attending Dalhousie in 1928, Allen began reporting for the Halifax Chronicle and worked various editor positions until
1941. In 1941, he began active duty in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, as a Sub-Lieutenant and was part of the
show "Meet The Navy". Allen returned to an editor position with The Halifax Chronicle-Herald in 1946 and during 1947 to 1951
he also served as an executive officer for HMCS Scotian, Halifax Naval Reserve Division.
In 1951, Allen became Director of University Liaisons at Dalhousie University and was also the editor for the Dalhousie Review
from 1953 until resigning from his position at the university in 1957. That year Allen joined the Canadian Broadcast Corporation
as the news staff supervisor for the Maritimes. He retired in 1975, but continued to do freelance broadcasting, and hosted
the popular CBC program Neighborly News from 1977 till 1980.
Allen was a self described "movie freak" and a large supporter of the Arts. He held positions as juror for the Governor General
Awards (ca. 1950s); treasurer for ACTRA, Maritimes (1976); director of Neptune Theatre Foundation (1976); Dal Alumni executive
(1976); governor of Dalhousie University (1976-1977); president of the Radio Television News Director's Association for two
years; and spent several years with Halifax Welfare Council and the United Services Institute of Nova Scotia.
Custodial HistoryThe W. Graham Allen fonds belonged to Allen until his death in 1986. It was then donated to Dalhousie University Archives
by his daughter Deborah Allen.
AccrualsNo further accruals are expected
Scope and ContentThe fonds primarily consist of scripts, broadcasts, short stories and commentaries from Allen's writing and broadcast career;
correspondence; documents relating to Allen's Navy service and personal reference material; CBC election broadcast coverage;
and photographs.
Related MaterialTheatre programs removed from W. Graham Allen fonds and placed in MS-3-REF.
Preferred Citation[Identification of item], W. Graham Allen fonds, MS-2-96, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives
and Special Collections, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Combined Series and File Level Descriptions
Correspondence
Date:
1938-1983
Extent:
10 cm of textual material
Scope and Content:
This series consists of correspondence written by Allen, as well as letters addressed to Allen. This
includes correspondence from family members, friends, and work related letters. It also includes letters
from listeners of the CBC program Neighborly News.
Folder -
2.3
"Lady Boats"
1980-1981
Folder -
1.17
[Roberts?], Charles
[n.d.]
Folder -
1.18
Allen, Fred
1941
Folder -
1.19
Allen, Graham (Grandson)
[n.d.]
Folder -
1.20
Allen, Joan (Daughter)
[n.d]
Folder -
1.21
Allen, Margaret (Wife)
[n.d.]
Folder -
1.23
CBC Correspondence, 1959-1980
1956-1957, 1976, 1980
Folder -
1.24
CBC: Neighborly News, 1976-1980
1976-1980
Folder -
1.25
Chauntauqua
1983
Folder -
1.27
Dalhousie Correspondence
1951, 1957
Folder -
1.26
Dalhousie Cultural Activities Committee
1972-1973
Folder -
1.28
Dalhousie Sports Facilities
1973, 1976
Folder -
1.29
Department of National Defense
1951-1956
Folder -
1.30
Editorial Associates
1957
Folder -
1.31
Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1981
Folder -
1.32
Gilmore, Clyde
1978
Folder -
1.33
Gordon [?]
1954
Folder -
1.34
Governor General Awards
1957-1959
Folder -
2.1
Heritage Trust
1975, 1983
Folder -
2.2
Kerr, Donald A.
1984
Folder -
2.4
MacDonald, Alan Sterling
[n.d.]
Folder -
2.5
MacLeod, "Don"
1968
Folder -
2.6
Mertelsman, Hubert and Lilo
1938
Folder -
2.7
Missions to Seamen
1952
Folder -
2.8
National Press Club
1964-1967
Folder -
1.22
Nova Scotia Symphony Orchestra
1979
Folder -
2.9
Roman Catholic Church, MacNally, J. T. Archbishop of Halifax
1938
Folder -
1.35
The Halifax Chronicle
1938-1941, 1957
Folder -
2.19
Welfare Council of Halifax
1949-1955
Folder -
2.14
World War II Correspondence: Alice Lang
1940
Folder -
2.15
World War II Correspondence: Claude Lang
1941
Folder -
2.16
World War II Correspondence: D.A. Randall
1941
Folder -
2.11
World War II Correspondence: Department of National Defense Naval
Service
1940-1943
Folder -
2.12
World War II Correspondence: Emile [?]
1940
Folder -
2.10
World War II Correspondence: Joan and Margaret Allen
[n.d.]
Folder -
2.13
World War II Correspondence: Lt. N. C. Gale
1942
Folder -
2.18
World War II Correspondence: T.D.H. Woods
1948
Folder -
2.17
World War II Correspondence: Voluntary Service Registration Bureau
1939
Return to the Table of Contents
Election Broadcast Material
Date:
1958-1974
Extent:
20 cm of textual material
Scope and Content:
This series consists of election broadcast coverage material for the CBC. It includes planning the
coverage for the election night broadcast, reports of problems with the election night broadcasts,
broadcast scripts and viewers' comments.
Folder -
10.2
Federal Election on CBC, 1962
1962
Contains election coverage reports, district breakdowns in Atlantic Canada and news broadcast
scripts.
Folder -
10.4
Federal Election on CBC, 1965
1965
Contains early planning, district breakdowns in Atlantic Canada, production scipts and studio plans.
Folder -
3.9
Federal Election on CBC, 1965
1965
Contains studio plans, coverage reports and comments from viewers.
Folder -
10.3
Federal Election on CBC, April 8, 1963
1963
Contains coverage reports, district breakdowns and broadcast script.
Folder -
3.8
Federal Election on CBC, July 8, 1974
1974
Contains election coverage, news broadcasts and coverage reports.
Folder -
6.18
Federal Election on CBC, June 1968
1968
Contains coverage planning, board mockups, studio plans and coverage reports.
Folder -
10.1
Federal Election on CBC, March 31, 1958
1958
Contains coverage reports and correspondence.
Folder -
9.17
New Brunswick Elections on CBC, June 27, 1960
1960
Contains news broadcast scripts and election coverage planning.
Folder -
9.19
Newfoundland Elections on CBC, August 20, 1959 and November 19,
1962
1959-1962
Contains election coverage.
Folder -
9.20
Nova Scotia Elections on CBC, 1960
1960
Contains news broadcasts and election coverage planning and reports.
Folder -
9.21
Nova Scotia Elections on CBC, 1963
1963
Contains news broadcast scripts, election coverage planning reports and results of the coverage.
Folder -
9.22
Nova Scotia Elections on CBC, 1967
1967
Contains election coverage planning reports, breakdown reports for each district and planning.
Folder -
9.23
Nova Scotia Elections on CBC, 1967
1967
Contains results of coverage.
Folder -
9.24
Nova Scotia Elections on CBC: Dartmouth
1964, 1966, 1967
Contains election coverage planning.
Folder -
9.25
Nova Scotia Elections on CBC: Halifax Civic Elections, 1960s
1960-1969
Contains election coverage reports and news broadcast scripts.
Folder -
9.26
Prince Edward Island Elections on CBC: Kings, May 29, 1961
1961
Contains correspondence and shooting script.
Return to the Table of Contents
Manuscripts and Reference Material
Date:
1898-1984
Extent:
80 cm of textual material
Scope and Content:
This series consists of manuscripts, broadcast scripts, commentary and poetry written by Allen. It also
includes some reference material that was used to write various broadcasts.
Folder -
2.27
"Audio/Action" - Freshwater River
[n.d.]
Contains script about the Freshwater River that was located in the South End of Halifax.
Folder -
6.10
"Copy"
[n.d.]
Contains a manuscript by Allen.
Folder -
7.5
"Flight from Flight"
1983
Contains one article, written by Allen.
Folder -
2.20
A Sock on the Buskin
1957
Contains script for A Sock on the Buskin.
Folder -
2.22
America's Cup
[n.d.]
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
2.23
Annapolis Valley
1958
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
2.24
Anniversary (CBC)
1964
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
2.25
Apples
1931, 1947-1949
Contains news broadcast script about apple growers in the Annapolis Valley.
Folder -
2.26
Atlantic Provinces Revolution
1957
Contains news broadcasts about various industry issues in Atlantic Canada.
Folder -
2.28
Australian Aircraft Carrier
1950
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
2.29
Aviation
1949
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
2.30
Bank of Nova Scotia Anniversary
1957
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
2.31
Board of Broadcasting Governors
1960
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
2.33
Book Reviews
1974-1978
Contains various book reviews written by Allen.
Folder -
2.35
Canso Strait Area
1947-1953
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
2.36
Car Ferries
1951
Contains news broadcast scripts.
Folder -
2.37
Careers
1957
Contains news broadcast scripts.
Folder -
2.38
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1940s
ca. 1940s
Folder -
2.39
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1948
1948
Folder -
3.1
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1949
1949
Folder -
3.2
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1950
1950
Folder -
3.3
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1950s
ca. 1950
Folder -
3.4
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1951
1951
Folder -
3.5
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1952
1952
Folder -
3.6
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1953
1953
Folder -
3.7
CBC Radio Broadcasts 1957
1957
Folder -
5.3
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts
1948-1950
Folder -
5.4
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts
ca. 1960s
Folder -
5.5
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts 1975
1975
Folder -
5.6
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts 1976
1976
Folder -
5.9
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts, 1978
1978
Folder -
6.1
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts, 1979
1979
Folder -
6.2
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts, 1980
1980
Folder -
6.3
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts, 1981
1981
Folder -
5.8
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts, August to December, 1977
1977
Folder -
5.7
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts, January to July, 1977
1977
Folder -
6.4
CBC Radio Noon Broadcasts, January to May, 1982
1982
Folder -
4.7
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcast, January to July, 1979
1979
Folder -
4.2
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcasts, April to June, 1977
1977
Folder -
4.6
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcasts, August to December, 1978
1978
Folder -
5.1
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcasts, August to December, 1979
1979
Folder -
4.5
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcasts, January to July, 1978
1978
Folder -
5.2
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcasts, January to June, 1980
1980
Folder -
4.1
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcasts, January to March, 1977
1977
Folder -
4.3
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcasts, July to September, 1977
1977
Folder -
4.4
CBC: Neighborly News Broadcasts, October to December, 1977
1977
Folder -
6.5
CBC: The Well of English - W. H. Brodie
1949
Folder -
6.6
Chignecto Canal
1951
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
6.7
Christmas
1948, 1950
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
6.8
Circus
1957, 1977
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
6.9
Coast Guard
1947-1950
Contains news broadcast scripts.
Folder -
6.11
Critically Speaking Broadcasts, 1949
1949
Folder -
6.12
Cross Section Interviews
1948, 1950
Folder -
6.14
Dalhousie Billboard, May 20th, 1927
1927
Contains copy of Dalhousie Billboard created by Allen.
Folder -
6.15
Dalhousie University: History/PR Essay
[n.d.]
Folder -
6.16
Dalhousie University: Humorous Scripts
[n.d.]
Folder -
6.13
D'Entremont, Peter - The Acadians
[n.d.]
Contains script.
Folder -
6.17
DOSCO (Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation)
1957
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
7.1
Ferry Tales
[n.d.]
Contains three episode scripts, set details, notes and character lists.
Folder -
7.2
Fires
1957-1960, 1968
Contains news broadcast scripts.
Folder -
7.3
Fish and Game
1948-1949
Contains one interview and four broadcast scripts.
Folder -
7.4
Fisheries
1947-1953, 1973, 1976
Contains news broadcast scripts.
Folder -
7.6
Floods (New Brunswick)
1961
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
7.7
Fundy Trail
1930, 1946
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
7.8
Half Pint
[n.d.]
Contains two poems.
Folder -
7.9
Halifax History
1898, 1949, 1954, 1959
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
7.11
Halifax School for the Blind
1984
Contains article written by Allen.
Folder -
7.10
Halifax, Port of
1947-1948, 1953
Contains news broadcast scripts.
Folder -
7.12
Hall, William, V. C.
1957
Contains article written by Allen.
Folder -
7.13
Hants County Exhibition
1976
Contains news broadcast scripts.
Folder -
7.14
Here and There: Portrait of a College Town
1957
Contains shooting script and shot list.
Folder -
7.15
Hiawatha's Garden
[n.d.]
Contains one poem.
Folder -
7.16
Hiawatha's Graduation
1957
Contains one poem.
Folder -
2.32
HMCS Bonaventure
1957
Contains news broadcast script.
Folder -
7.17
Humanities
1959
Contains speech written by Allen.
Folder -
2.21
The Alchemist
1930
Contains manuscript.
Folder -
2.34
Tidal Bores
[n.d.]
Contains news broadcast script.
Return to the Table of Contents
Personal Files
Date:
1917-1979
Extent:
10 cm of textual material
Scope and Content:
This series consist of personal material relating to Allen's time in the Navy, Alumni (Class of '29)
information, essays written for English II and published material such as, a German song book.
Folder -
1.2
Bloomfield Review, November 1929
1929
Folder -
1.3
Book: Volk im Lied, 1938
1938
Contains one German song book.
Folder -
1.4
Booklets: "Pilotage and Navigation" and "Junior Officer's Handbook"
1941
Folder -
1.5
Dalhousie Alumni (1977-1979)
1977-1979
Contains speech, interim report for the Joint Committee of the Board of Directors of the Alumni
Association and Board of Directors, and autobiographical information on Allen.
Folder -
1.6
Dalhousie Alumni Association - The Man Who Married a Dumb Wife
[n.d.]
Contains script, production notes and stage information for the play The Man Who Married a Dumb
Wife.
Folder -
1.9
Dalhousie Reunion
1938
Folder -
1.8
Dalhousie Street - Property Plots
[n.d]
Folder -
1.7
Dalhousie: English II Notes, 1927
1927
Contains essays written by Allen for English II at Dalhousie University.
Folder -
1.10
Dalhousie: The College by the Sea, Class of 1929
1979
Contains one copy of the Dalhousie The College by the Sea: Class of 1929 50th Anniversary
Yearbook.
Folder -
1.11
Halifax Turf Club, October 3rd, 1939
1936
Folder -
1.12
Murray, Robert Charles, October 25th, 1939
1939
Folder -
1.13
Pamphlet "The Halifax Catastrophe"
1917
Folder -
1.14
Royal Canadian Navy: Promotion
1955
Contains one promotion certificate for Allen.
Folder -
1.1
The Academy Record
1924-1925
Contains Vol. 1 Issues 1-3, 7-10. Vol. 2 Issues 2-3, 5 and Vol. 3.
Folder -
1.15
The Value of Newspapers in Democracy, April 1954
1954
Contains one speech.
Folder -
1.16
World War II, Miscellaneous
1939-1940
Return to the Table of Contents
Photographs
Date:
1919-1967
Extent:
128 photographs
Scope and Content:
This series includes various photographs of Allen and friends, as well as promotional shots for the Royal
Canadian Navy.
Folder -
11.29
"Meet the Navy"
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 65. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.6
Bluenose Spitfire
1941
Photograph found in PC2 box 5 folder 32. Retrieved from Box 8, Folder 31.
Folder -
11.10
Canadian Motor Launches
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 36. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.8
CBC Federal Election, 1958
1958
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 34. Contains nine 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.9
CBC Provincial Election, 1967
1967
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 35. Contains seven 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.7
CBC: S. Kennedy, W. Graham Allen and F. G. Cooke
[n.d.]
Photograph found in PC2 box 5 folder 33.
Folder -
11.12
Crawford House - Theatre Restaurant, Boston
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 37. Contains one 5x7 photograph.
Folder -
11.13
Dalhousie Class of 1929 - Reunion
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 38. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.14
Dalhousie Family Medicine (Allen)
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 39. Contains one 5x7 photograph.
Folder -
11.15
Depth Charges
1943
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 40. Contains three 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.16
Destroyer - Tribal Class
1943
Photographs located in PC2 box 6 file 41. Contains four 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.17
Destroyer - Tribal Class - Cossack
1943
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 42. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.18
Fairmile Class Vessel
1943
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 43. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.19
Fishermen's Reserve Vessel
1943
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 44. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.20
Ford Reception
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 45. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.21
Frigate
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 46. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.22
Guns - Frigate Destroyer
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 47. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.23
His Royal Highness Prince of Wales, Presenting War Medals, August
1919
1919
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 48. Contains one 4x6 photograph.
Folder -
11.11
HMCS Cowichan
1929, 1943-1944
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 76. Contains twenty-five 3x5 photographs.
Folder -
11.26
HMCS Iroquois
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 51. Contains three 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.47
HMCS Scotian
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 61. Contains six 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.52
HMCS Wentworth - Bell
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 75. Contains two 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.24
Ice on Ships
1943
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 49. Contains five 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.25
Icebergs
1943
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 50. Contains two 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.27
Landing Craft Training
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 52. Contains two 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.28
Lookout
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 64. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.30
Meeting
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 66. Contains two 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.32
Naval Officer: Negatives
[n.d.]
Negatives located in PC2 box 5 file 68. Contains six negatives.
Folder -
11.31
Naval Officer: Unknown
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 67. Contains one 3x5 photograph.
Folder -
11.33
News Broadcasters: Meeting
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 69. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.34
Official Functions
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 70. Contains seven 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.35
Paintings by W. Graham Allen
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 71. Contains three 3x5 photographs.
Folder -
11.37
Press Reception, June 1, 1966 (Clubb, Pottie, Allen)
1966
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 53. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.36
QO 69 and 73
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 72. Contains two 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.38
Radio Television News Directors Association (RTNDA)
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 54. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.42
Royal Canadian Navy - Recruiting
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 58. Contains two 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.44
Royal Canadian Navy Recruits - Canada and United States (Gunnery
School)
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 60. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.43
Royal Canadian Navy Review, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1967
1967
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 59. Contains six 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.40
Royal Canadian Navy: General
[n.d.]
Photographs located PC2 box 5 file 56. Contains two 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.41
Royal Canadian Navy: Minesweeper
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 57. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.46
Royal Roads School (Negative)
1942
Contains one negative.
Folder -
11.45
Royal Roads School 1942
1942
Photograph located in PC2 box 21 file 5. Contains one 6x12 photograph.
Folder -
11.48
Ship Painting
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 62. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.49
Steven, Duff
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 63. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.50
Sydney Lodge - Mackie, Irving
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 73. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.1
W. Graham Allen
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 27. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.5
W. Graham Allen and his wife being introduced to Prince Philip and Queen
Elizabeth
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 31. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.3
W. Graham Allen at Herald Office
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 29. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.4
W. Graham Allen on HMCS Cowichan
[n.d.]
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 30. Contains three 8x10 photographs.
Folder -
11.2
W. Graham Allen with Bob Chambers at Halifax Mail
[n.d.]
Photograph located in PC2 box 5 file 28. Contains one 8x10 photograph.
Folder -
11.51
Washington, D.C. - Pentagon, June 29, 1962
1962
Photographs located in PC2 box 5 file 47. Contains two 8x10 photographs.
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