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Bob Burke graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a law degree from Oklahoma City University. He was the director of the Department of Economic and Community Affairs (now the Department of Commerce) during the administration of Governor David Boren and managed Boren's first campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1978.
In addition to practicing law, Burke is a prolific historical non-fiction writer with more than 130 books and many awards to his name, including three Pulitzer Prize nominations.
Along with being an author, attorney, and historian, he is an avid collector of autographs. He started collecting in 1962 when he wrote to presidential candidate Barry Goldwater and asked for an autographed picture. Burke continued his autograph collection when he worked in Oklahoma City as a radio disc jockey and eagerly sought autographs as musical celebrities toured on concert.
Over the years Burke has written to thousands of stars, and proudly states that he has "written to most of the famous people in the world." Occasionally, he also trades with other collectors to obtain rare pieces.
Today, Burke owns an extensive collection of autographs in the areas of film, television, music, politics, sports, historical figures and more, part of which he has gifted to the UCO Archives and Special Collections & the College of Liberal Arts.
The collection includes film posters, lobby cards, photographs, film scripts, photographs, and other materials produced by the film and television industries.
"What makes this collection special is the fact that almost every artifact has been signed by the director, actor or actress who made the film or television program." - Dr. John Parris Springer
