The late and great Norman Corwin was from the generation after Carl Sandburg's. Writing for radio in the 1930s and 40s, Corwin's broadcast titles included, "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas," a drama entirely in rhyming verse in which demons and historical figures from Hell tried to destroy Christmas, and "They Fly through the Air with the Greatest of Ease," a gutty reaction to the Spanish Civil War. Corwin used the airwaves for morality plays--a medium to comment on society through entertainment. See and hear Corwin on how he tried to echo Sandburg throughout his life.

Dr. Penelope Niven is the author of Carl Sandburg: A Biography and Carl Sandburg: Adventures of a Poet. In a series of filmed interviews, see and hear Dr. Niven talk about the life and times of Carl Sandburg.

The life and times of Carl Sandburg as told by Sandburg biographer, Penelope Niven.

It's American Masters radio: the other AM, on the podcast dial. For this hour, "Meet Carl Sandburg," from NBC Radio's Biography in Sound series. This 1955 broadcast is a documentary in sound about the poet, author, musician, and historian, Carl Sandburg: all told through readings and songs from Sandburg, as well as interviews with the people that knew him--describing him as if he were as big as Paul Bunyan.

Carl Sandburg was, as he said it, "The Eternal Hobo." For much of the 20th century, Sandburg was synonymous with the American experience, a spokesman on behalf of the people. See the trailer for The Day Carl Sandburg Died, which premiers nationally Monday, September 24, at 10 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

Production credits for the film, The Day Carl Sandburg Died.