William N. Robson
Encyclopedia
William N. Robson was a director and producer of radio
programs.
. He attended Yale University
, graduating in 1928. Upon graudation he worked as a screenwriter for Paramount Pictures
, receiving screen credit for the 1933 film Private Jones.
He spent most of his career involved with radio. He joined CBS
in 1936. In 1943, he won two George Foster Peabody Awards
, for the drama series Man Behind the Gun and the documentary Open Letter on Race Hatred. He also produced the Columbia Workshop
, Suspense, Escape
and Doorway to Life.
During the 1950s, he wrote television dramas. In 1961, he joined the Voice of America
where he produced documentaries, among them New York, New York on which Garry Moore interviewed celebrities visiting the city, and 200 Years Ago Tonight, a series about the American Revolutionary War
produced during the bicentennial year of 1976. His time at the VOA won him four additional Peabody Awards.
Robson died at his home in Alexandria, Virginia
, due to complications of Alzheimer's disease on April 10, 1995. He was survived by his wife Shirley, his three sons, and one grandson.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
programs.
Career
Robson was born in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. He attended Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, graduating in 1928. Upon graudation he worked as a screenwriter for Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, receiving screen credit for the 1933 film Private Jones.
He spent most of his career involved with radio. He joined CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in 1936. In 1943, he won two George Foster Peabody Awards
Peabody Award
The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. In 1939, the National Association of Broadcasters formed a committee to recognize outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting...
, for the drama series Man Behind the Gun and the documentary Open Letter on Race Hatred. He also produced the Columbia Workshop
Columbia Workshop
Columbia Workshop was a radio series that aired on the Columbia Broadcasting System from 1936 to 1943, returning in 1946-47.-Irving Reis:...
, Suspense, Escape
Escape (radio program)
Escape was radio's leading anthology series of high-adventure radio dramas, airing on CBS from July 7, 1947 to September 25, 1954. Since the program did not have a regular sponsor like Suspense, it was subjected to frequent schedule shifts and lower production budgets, although Richfield Oil signed...
and Doorway to Life.
During the 1950s, he wrote television dramas. In 1961, he joined the Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
where he produced documentaries, among them New York, New York on which Garry Moore interviewed celebrities visiting the city, and 200 Years Ago Tonight, a series about the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
produced during the bicentennial year of 1976. His time at the VOA won him four additional Peabody Awards.
Robson died at his home in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
, due to complications of Alzheimer's disease on April 10, 1995. He was survived by his wife Shirley, his three sons, and one grandson.