Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Elmer Davis was a renowned American news broadcaster, writer, and also served as director of the U.S. Office of War Information during World War II. His insightful commentary on CBS Radio made him a trusted voice for millions of Americans during the tumultuous war years, and he later became a vocal critic of McCarthyism on ABC.   

Born on January 13, 1890, in Aurora, Indiana, Davis showed an early aptitude for writing and journalism and worked for his high school newspaper, “Aurora Bulletin.” After graduating from Franklin College and studying at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, he began his career at the New York Times in 1914.     

Davis gained recognition for his long, well-written profile pieces, on subjects ranging from boxer Jack Dempsey to a series of articles on evangelist Billy Sunday. 

In 1939, Davis transitioned to radio when CBS asked him to fill in for H.V. Kaltenborn. His calm demeanor, insightful analysis, and distinctive Midwestern accent quickly won over listeners, attracting an audience of over 12 million.  

During World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Davis as director of the Office of War Information, where he played a crucial role in coordinating wartime information. 

After the war, Davis returned to broadcasting, this time with ABC radio and, later, television.  

He became a vocal critic of Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist campaign, using his platform to advocate for rational thinking and civil liberties. His 1954 book "But We Were Born Free," a collection of speeches and essays defending American freedoms, became a bestseller. 

Throughout his career, Davis received numerous honors, including multiple honorary doctorates and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Radio Award in 1951. He was also inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame in 1974 and into the Indiana Broadcast Hall of Fame. 

 Elmer Davis passed away on May 18, 1958, in Washington, D.C., leaving behind a legacy as a principled journalist and defender of American liberties. 

February 2025 

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