HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG1503.AM: Guy R. Spencer, 1878-1945
Papers: 1924-1938, n.d.
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska: Cartoonist
Size: 2.0 cu.ft.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Guy R. Spencer was born in Missouri in 1878 and moved to Nebraska at an early age. He was educated in the school system at Falls City, Nebraska, and at the Omaha Penmanship School. Spencer began working at the Omaha World Herald on June 12, 1899 for $10.00 a week. He was best noted for his political cartoons and was known as “one of the ablest pens in Midwestern journalism.” He was an avid “trust buster” and opposed all forms of big business. For several years Spencer drew caricatures and cartoons for the Commoner as well as the World Herald. His initial popularity was established in 1902 when he drew a series of political cartoons concerning the political debates between Edward Rosewater and William F. Gurley. Spencer retired in January of 1939. Guy R. Spencer died on December 27, 1945.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This collection consists of three oversize scrapbooks and various drawings arranged in two series: 1) Scrapbooks, 1924-1938; 2) Drawings. This collection relates to Spencer’s career as a cartoonist with the Omaha World Herald. The drawings are originals.
See the photo component [RG1503.PH] for photos of Spencer and stereographs taken by Spencer.
INVENTORY
Series 1 – Scrapbooks, 1924-1938
Volume
- 1924-1938
- 1928-1938
- 1929-1935
Series 2 – Drawings
Drawings, original (see OB029; OB030; OB031; OB036; OB037)
Drawings, prints and copy negatives
Subject headings:
Caricatures and cartoons — Nebraska
Editorial cartoons — Nebraska
Omaha (Nebraska) — History
Spencer, Guy R., 1878-1945
DDS/cr 09-15-1970
Revised TMM 04-30-2008; 09-29-2020
