Arthur, Billy, 1911-2006
Variant namesWilliam Joseph Eudy "Billy" Arthur, North Carolina editor, publisher, columnist, comedian, politician, and businessman. Arthur, a dwarf, toured on the vaudeville circuit, 1929-1930, then attended the University of North Carolina where he majored in journalism and was head cheerleader, 1931-1932. From the 1930s through the 1950s, he edited or wrote for several newspapers. He also represented Onslow County in the North Carolina House of Representatives, 1943-1945, and served as House reading clerk, 1955-1961. In 1962, Arthur opened a hobby shop in Chapel Hill, from which he retired in 1980.
From the description of Billy Arthur papers, 1883-1997. WorldCat record id: 31908561
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1911:
Born in Charlotte, N.C., to Annis Eudy and J. A. Arthur, with the congenital disease achondro-plasia that results in dwarfism -
1922 -1927 :Mascot for Charlotte Hornets -
1925:
Worked for WBT radio in Charlotte, N.C. -
1928:
Graduated from Charlotte Central High School -
1929 -1930 :Toured on the vaudeville circuit on the eastern seaboard -
1931 -1933 :Attended the University of North Carolina, majored in journalism, and was the head cheerleader, 1931-1932 -
1933 -1940 :Became city editor of the New Bern Tribune in New Bern, N.C. -
1940 -1953 :Published News and Views in Jacksonville, N.C. -
1943 -1945 :Served in North Carolina House of Representatives, representing Onslow County -
1950:
Married Edith Harris of Elizabeth City, N.C. -
1951:
Annis Lillian Arthur born (also a dwarf) -
1952:
Billy Arthur Jr., born (also a dwarf) -
1954:
Moved to Chapel Hill and worked as publicist for the Morehead Planetarium and wrote for The Chapel Hill Weekly -
1955 -1961 :Served as reading clerk in the North Carolina House of Representatives -
1958:
Started a newspaper clipping service -
1962:
Opened a hobby shop in Eastgate Mall in Chapel Hill, which was bought by Trico, Inc., in 1974, but managed by Arthur -
1980:
Retired from hobby business
From the guide to the Billy Arthur Papers, 1883-1997, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)
| Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
|---|---|---|---|
| referencedIn | Hugh Morton Photographs and Films, late 1920s-2006, (bulk 1940s-1990s) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection. | |
| creatorOf | Arthur, Billy, 1911-2006. [James Larkin Pearson's humor in The fool-killer] / Billy Arthur. | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | |
| referencedIn | Prouty, William W. William W. Prouty photographic collection, circa 1955-1961. | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | |
| creatorOf | Billy Arthur Papers, 1883-1997 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection | |
| referencedIn | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Dramatic Art Photographs and Related Materials, 1911-1970s | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives. | |
| creatorOf | Arthur, Billy, 1911-2006. Billy Arthur papers, 1883-1997. | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Role | Title | Holding Repository |
|---|
Filters:
| Relation | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| associatedWith | Arthur family. | family |
| associatedWith | Fordham, Christopher C. | person |
| associatedWith | Morton, Hugh M. | person |
| associatedWith | North Carolina. General Assembly. House of Representatives | corporateBody |
| associatedWith | Pearson, James Larkin, 1879-1981 | person |
| associatedWith | Prouty, William W. | person |
| associatedWith | Sanford, Terry, 1917-1998. | person |
| associatedWith | Smith, Dean, 1931- | person |
| associatedWith | University of North Carolina (1793-1962) | corporateBody |
| associatedWith | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dept. of Dramatic Art. | corporateBody |
| Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | |||
| United States |
| Subject |
|---|
| American wit and humor |
| Comedians |
| Dwarfs |
| Hobby equipment industry |
| Journalists |
| Newspaper publishing |
| Vaudeville |
| Occupation |
|---|
| Activity |
|---|
Person
Birth 1911-01-04
Death 2006-03-27
Male
English
