Paul David Peterson Papers
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of photographs, newspapers, books, and artifacts related to Peace Corps work in Ghana.
Dates
- 1955 - 2012
- Majority of material found within 1963 - 1964
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Biographical / Historical
Soon after graduating from North Carolina State with degrees in nuclear engineering and applied math, Paul David Peterson travelled to Ghana with the Peace Corps from 1962 to 1964 as a member of the second group of volunteers. Before departing, Peterson attended orientation and preparation at The University of California, Berkeley. He delayed beginning his subsequent career with Bethlehem Steel in order to participate in the corps. A handbook from... the parochial school to which Peterson was assigned entitled The Voice of Aquinas 1962-63 contains the following information on page 10: "Mr. P. D. Peterson, an American from Leaksville, N.C., U.S.A. teaches mathematics and history. We consider ourselves lucky in having this member of the peace corps who has proved to be another 'Stuff-man'." He also taught physics and often saw students studying under the street lights in the evenings since many homes in Accra did not have electricity at the time. Peterson would have remained in Ghana with the Peace Corps beyond the two year commitment, but the organization did not have a policy for extending a stay at the time. He loved the food, the culture, and the people.
Ghana became an independent country on March 6, 1957. In 1960, Kwame Nkrumah transformed Ghana into a republic, with himself as president for life. His administration was overthrown in 1966.
President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961. The first group of Peace Corps volunteers to go out from the United States arrived in Ghana on August 30, 1961. The Peace Corps exists to support world peace and friendship.
Extent
2.75 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
- Title
- Guide to the Paul David Peterson Papers
- Subtitle
- Record Group 1302
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lisa Glasscock
- Date
- April 26, 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Auburn University Special Collections and Archives Repository
Auburn University
Ralph Brown Draughon Library
231 Mell Street
Auburn Alabama 36849
334-844-1732
archives@auburn.edu