Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Richard Alan Diespecker fonds
General material designation
- textual record
- sound recording
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- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the fonds.
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Fonds
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1916-1983 (Creation)
- Creator
- Diespecker, Richard Alan
Physical description area
Physical description
6 cm of textual records, 1 audio cassette
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Richard (Dick) Alan Diespecker was born in Adstock, United Kingdom in 1907. He was initially raised in South Africa, later moving to Victoria, British Columbia. After graduating from the University of British Columbia he embarked on a career in journalism, first with the Vancouver Star in 1927, the Vancouver News in 1932, and then the Victoria Colonist in 1934.
In 1936 he joined CJOR Radio in Vancouver and at the same time started writing plays for the radio. He remained with CJOR for over 20 years, although during World War II he joined the Canadian Army as a radio liaison officer in Ottawa. His poem 1942 poem Prayer for Victory was broadcast across allied radio for which he received wide acclaim.
In 1944 Diespecker published his first book of poems, Two Furious Oceans, which was followed by a novel based on his mother, Elizabeth, in 1950. This was followed by Rebound in 1953 and Three Windows West in 1953. He wrote over 400 dramas for radio networks including CJOR, CBC and BBC.
In 1947 he received the Beaver Award for his service to Canadian radio, which was followed a year later by the Columbia Award for a three-part radio program Destination Palestine.
In 1958 Diespecker moved to the United States to start a new job in public relations. He died in San Francisco in 1973.
Custodial history
The material was donated by the family of Richard Diespecker in 1998. MS-1205 was originally part of PR-0116 fonds (Victoria Bar Association) and was moved to PR-2396.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of two volumes of poetry; a diary from when Diespecker was sent to England during World War Two whilst in the Canadian Army; a newspaper clipping about CJOR radio station (Vancouver); a signed copy of his novel, Elizabeth; a manuscript of a play called The March of Progress; and an audio recording of two radio programs created by Diespecker that were both broadcast on CBC radio during World War Two.
Notes area
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General note
Accession number(s): 78-111; 93-7825
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- CBC Radio Canada (Subject)