Charles Peters, Editor and Author, Papers A&M 4449

Charles Peters, Editor and Author, Papers A&M 4449


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West Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu

Grace Musgrave

Repository
West Virginia and Regional History Center
Identification
A&M 4449
Title
Charles Peters, Editor and Author, Papers circa 1975-2016 and undated
URL:
https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/ark:/99999/205754
Quantity
110.5 Linear Feet, 68 record cartons, 15 in. each; 1 record carton, 17 in.; 28 document cases, 2.5 in. each; 2 document cases, 4 in. each; 39 document cases, 5 in. each; 1 flat storage box, 3 in.; 3 flat storage boxes, 4 in. each; 2 oversize items, 0.5 in. each
Quantity
0.0009 Gigabytes, 73 files, formats include .txt and .img
Location
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Conditions Governing Access

Part of this collection is stored off-site. Researchers should contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center prior to visiting to ensure materials are available.

The Addendum of 2024 November 19 is unprocessed but is open for research. Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center in advance to request access. 

Researchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Charles Peters, Editor and Author, Papers, A&M 4449, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Processing Information

One file from a 5.25 inch floppy disk (identifier: 4449_5_25fdisk_02) has been redacted because it contains a social security number for a living person.


Biographical / Historical

Born December 22, 1926 in Charleston, West Virginia, Charles Peters, creator and publisher of The Washington Monthly , went on to attend Charleston High School, graduating in 1944. That same year, Peters enlisted with the U.S. Army where an injury in a training accident resulted in a long stay in Army hospitals beofre being discharged from the Army in 1946.

Using the G.I. Bill, Peters went to New York City to attend Columbia College, earning a BA in 1949. Peters continued his education at Columbia, entering their graduate program and earning his MA in 1951. Between the years of 1952 and 1953 Peters worked for the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency in New York. A fan of theather, Peters also performed various backstage roles between the years of 1946-1954 at a variety of theaters, and even owned his own repertory company in Charleston, West Virginia. Peters entered the University of Virginia Law School in 1954 and was named to the editoral board of the Virginia Law Review in 1955, serving until his graduation in 1957.

After earning his law degree, Peters and his wife, Elizabeth Hubbell, returned to Charleston, West Virginia to practice law at his father's firm, Peters, Merricks, Leslie, and Mohler. In 1959, he was named chief staff officer of the Judiciary Committee of the West Virginia House of Delegates before being elected to the House in 1960. In that same year, Peters also managed the primary and general election campaigns for presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. After serving in the 1961 session of the state legislature, he went to Washington, D.C. to assist in the formation of the Peace Corps. Returning in 1962 to serve in the legislative session, he was named the Peace Corps' Director of Evaluation.

In 1968, Peters resigned from his position with the Peace Corps and began planning the publication of a new magazine called The Washington Monthly . The magazine's prospectus said its purpose would be "to look at Washington the way an anthropologist looks at a South Sea island, helping the reader understand our system of politics and government, where it breaks down, why it breaks down, and what can be done to make it work." The first issue was published in January 1969. Throughout its publication, the magazine featured numerous unknown authors who later became influential journalists, including Pulitizer Prize winners such as Taylor Branch and Jon Meacham, among others. Peters served as the editor of the magazine until his retirement in 2001, continuing to write a regular column unti 2014. Peters authored five books and coediting five more.

Adapted from West Virginia and Regional History Center Newsletter, Vol. 35, No. 1-2, 2020 and WV Living, Spring 2021 https://wvliving.com/tilting-at-windmills-how-charlie-peters-helped-jfk-win-west-virginia/

Scope and Contents

Professional correspondence, writings, and other papers of Charles Peters, creator and publisher of "The Washington Monthly," a political magazine and website that launched the careers of several Pulitzer Prize-winning and MacArthur Genius Grant-winning authors and editors. Peters was the first Director of Evaluation for the Peace Corps and the organizer of President John F. Kennedy's campaign in West Virginia.

Includes correspondence, research, writings, newspaper clippings, articles, manuscripts, proofs, books, publications, reports, audiovisual material, and oversize framed items. This collection is minimally processed.

Series include:

Series 1. Correspondence, Notes, and Writings (52 Boxes)
Series 2. Clippings and Articles (55 Boxes)
Series 3. Manuscripts and Proofs for Publications (8 Boxes)
Series 4. Books (12 Boxes)
Series 5. Periodicals and Reports (4 Boxes)
Series 6. Audiovisual Materials (2 Boxes)
Series 7. Oversize Framed Items

The addendum of 2024 November 19 includes assorted scrapbooks, awards, photographs, and other material documenting the political and journalism career of Charles Peters. This addendum is unprocessed.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


General

All of the material in the SEP boxes (in Series 1) was separated from the corresponding regularly-numbered boxes (in Series 2 and 3).

Significant Places Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series 1. Correspondence, Notes, and Writings (52 boxes)
Mixed Materials Box: 2 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 3 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 4 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 5 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 6 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 7 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 8 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 9 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 13 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 15 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 17 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 18 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 22 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 23 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 24.1 SEP Maps Box: 24.2 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 24.3 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 24.4 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 25.1 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 25.2 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 26 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 27 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 28 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 29 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 30 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 31 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 33.1 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 34 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 37.1 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 37.2 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 37.3 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 38.1 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 38.2 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 38.3 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 39 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 40.1 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 40.2 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 40.3 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 41 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 43.1 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 43.2 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 43.3 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 44 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 52 Mixed Materials Box: 54 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 55 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 56 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 57 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 58 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 59 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 60 SEP Mixed Materials Box: 61 SEP 1975-20181990-2010
Scope and Contents

This series includes business correspondence (incoming and outgoing), notes, and writings by Peters from 1975-2018. Examples include letters to the editor, articles, information about websites forwarded to Peters by other writers and colleagues, and edits to Peters's books and editorials.

Common topics found and discussed within this series include but are not limited to:

- Franklin D. Roosevelt and his presidency
- The Great Depression/New Deal
- World War II
- John F. Kennedy and his presidency
- Lyndon B. Johnson and his presidency
- Post-war America
- The Civil Rights Movement
- Bill Clinton and his presidency
- Correspondence between Peters and Jon Meacham (regarding We Do Our Part )
-Correspondence between Peters and Ken Hikenberrry (publisher)

All boxes in this series are labeled with the letters SEP, indicating that the contents were separated from the boxes in Series 2 that have corresponding numbers.

Boxes: 2 SEP - 9 SEP, 13 SEP, 15 SEP, 17 SEP, 18 SEP, 22 SEP, 23 SEP, 24.1 SEP, 24.2 SEP, 24.3 SEP, 24.4 SEP, 25.1 SEP, 25.2 SEP, 26 SEP - 31 SEP, 33.1 SEP, 34 SEP, 37.1 SEP, 37.2 SEP, 37.3 SEP, 38.1 SEP, 38.2 SEP, 38.3 SEP, 39 SEP, 40.1 SEP, 40.2 SEP, 40.3 SEP, 41 SEP, 43.1 SEP, 43.2 SEP, 43.3 SEP, 44 SEP, 52, 54 SEP - 61 SEP.

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Series 2. Clippings and Articles (55 boxes)
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Mixed Materials Box: 3 Mixed Materials Box: 4 Mixed Materials Box: 5 Mixed Materials Box: 6 Mixed Materials Box: 7 Mixed Materials Box: 8 Mixed Materials Box: 9 Mixed Materials Box: 13 Mixed Materials Box: 15 Mixed Materials Box: 17 Mixed Materials Box: 18 Mixed Materials Box: 19 Mixed Materials Box: 22 Mixed Materials Box: 23 Mixed Materials Box: 24.1 Mixed Materials Box: 24.2 Mixed Materials Box: 24.3 Mixed Materials Box: 24.4 Mixed Materials Box: 25.1 Mixed Materials Box: 25.2 Mixed Materials Box: 26 Mixed Materials Box: 27 Mixed Materials Box: 29 Mixed Materials Box: 33.1 Mixed Materials Box: 33.2 Mixed Materials Box: 34 Mixed Materials Box: 36.1 Mixed Materials Box: 36.2 Mixed Materials Box: 37.1 Mixed Materials Box: 37.2 Mixed Materials Box: 37.3 Mixed Materials Box: 38.1 Mixed Materials Box: 38.2 Mixed Materials Box: 38.3 Mixed Materials Box: 39 Mixed Materials Box: 40.1 Mixed Materials Box: 40.2 Mixed Materials Box: 40.3 Mixed Materials Box: 41 Mixed Materials Box: 42.2 Mixed Materials Box: 43.1 Mixed Materials Box: 43.2 Mixed Materials Box: 43.3 Mixed Materials Box: 44 Mixed Materials Box: 46 Mixed Materials Box: 54 Mixed Materials Box: 55 Mixed Materials Box: 56 Mixed Materials Box: 57 Mixed Materials Box: 58 Mixed Materials Box: 59 Mixed Materials Box: 60 Mixed Materials Box: 61 ca. 1990s-2010s
Scope and Contents

This series includes newspaper clippings and printed articles used for research by Peters from ca. 1990s-2010s. A majority of the clippings and articles feature some sort of notation made by Peters, typically in the form of underlining, circling, or a combination of the two with some occassional written notations. The series covers a variety of subjects that mostly correlate with the topics found in Series 1.

The box numbers in this series correspond with those labeled with the letters SEP in Series 1, indicating that the contents were separated from boxes in Series 2 and placed in boxes with corresponding numbers in Series 1.

Boxes: 2-9, 13, 15, 17-19, 22-23, 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24.4, 25.1, 25.2, 26-27, 29, 33.1, 33.2, 34, 36.1, 36.2, 37.1, 37.2, 37.3, 38.1, 38.2, 38.3, 39, 40.1, 40.2, 40.3, 41, 42.2, 43.1, 43.2, 43.3, 44, 46, 54-61.

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Series 3. Manuscripts and Proofs for Publications (8 boxes)
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Mixed Materials Box: 10 Mixed Materials Box: 21 Mixed Materials Box: 28 Mixed Materials Box: 30 Mixed Materials Box: 31 Mixed Materials Box: 42.1 Mixed Materials Box: 45 ca. 1990s-2010s
Scope and Contents

This series includes manuscripts and galley proofs of writings by Peters. Types of writings include historical and political books, editorials, aritcles, and other matieral.

Boxes: 1, 10, 21, 28, 30-31, 42.1, 45.

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Series 4. Books (12 boxes)
Mixed Materials Box: 11 Mixed Materials Box: 12 Mixed Materials Box: 12.1 Mixed Materials Box: 14 Mixed Materials Box: 16 Mixed Materials Box: 20 Mixed Materials Box: 32 Mixed Materials Box: 47 Mixed Materials Box: 48 Mixed Materials Box: 49 Mixed Materials Box: 50 Mixed Materials Box: 51 ca. 1940s-2010s
Scope and Contents

This series includes books written by Peters and books used by Peters in research, published ca. 1940s-2010s.

Boxes: 11, 12, 12.1, 14, 16, 20, 32, 47-51.

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Series 5. Periodicals and Reports (4 boxes)
Mixed Materials Box: 53 Mixed Materials Box: 62 Mixed Materials Box: 63 Mixed Materials Box: 64 ca. 1980s-2010s
Scope and Contents

This series includes magazines, periodicals, and reports, published ca. 1980s-2010s, including issues of The Washington Monthly, governmental reports, etc.

Boxes: 53, & 62-64.

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Series 6. Audiovisual Material (2 boxes)
Mixed Materials Box: 65 Mixed Materials Box: 66 ca. 1980s-2000s
Scope and Contents

This series includes a few VHS tapes, several audiocassettes, and a small number of floppy disks from ca. 1980s-2000s.

Boxes: 65-66.

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Series 7. Oversize Framed Items
Mixed Materials Unboxed ca. 1960s-1980s
Scope and Contents

This series includes two undated oversized framed items.

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Addendum of 2024 November 19, Assorted Scrapbooks, Awards, Photographs, and Other Material
Mixed Materials Box: 67 Mixed Materials Box: 68 Mixed Materials Box: 69 Mixed Materials Box: 70 Mixed Materials Box: 71 Mixed Materials Box: 72 Mixed Materials Box: 73 Mixed Materials Box: 74 Mixed Materials Box: 75 Mixed Materials Box: 76 circa 1960s-2010s and undated
Scope and Contents

Assorted scrapbooks, awards, photographs, and other material documenting the political and journalism career of Charles Peters

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