The collection is arranged in series as follows:

Series 1: Published columns and articles             

Series 2: Original stories, scripts, and poems                    

Series 3: Typescript of novel, George Sampson

Series 4: Photographs and Scrapbook

Series 5: Artifacts

John Shem Phillips was born around 1900 at Hawk Run, PA, to Elizabeth Edwards and David Rocer Phillips, both of Welsh background. His father, David Phillips, and his maternal grandfather worked in the coal industry. After studying music and drama, Phillips joined a Charleston, WV, radio station in 1929 as a singer, but soon started writing, announcing, and producing shows.  He married Flora Poe of Elkton, WV.

Following service in WWII, Phillips chaired a local committee dedicated to improving understanding between military and civilian entities, which involved him in a trip to Alaska as part of an Air Force publicity effort. He helped found the West Virginia Broadcasters' Association (1946) and the Tristate Industrial Editors Association. For five years Phillips left radio to sell advertising for the Charleston Gazette, but then again joined a Charleston station, going rapidly from salesman to manager.  By 1953 he was general manager of the Greater Huntington Radio Corporation, operating WHTN, an independent radio and TV station. In 1958 he went south to work at WJBF television in Augusta, GA.  In 1961 he was back in Beckley, WV, writing a column for the Raleigh Register until 1966. Some of Phillips' stories and poetry were published; however, his novel, George Samson, remained unpublished.