William Joseph Eudy 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. Billy The collection includes correspondence, writings, photographs, and other materials relating to Arthur. Letters document Arthur's career as a writer, reading clerk in the North Carolina House of Representatives, comedian, and businessman. Notable correspondents include Terry Sanford, Dean Smith, Christopher Fordham, many state and national politicians, and various editors and publishers.Writings include newspaper clippings; syndicated material; and book-length manuscripts, among them a book of North Carolina humor. There is also material relating to the activities of Arthur family members and materials Arthur used in his comedy routines. In addition, there are three scrapbooks documenting all phases of Arthur's life and many photographs of Arthur, his family, and his friends.
