Ronald M. Peters, Jr. Papers
Collection
Identifier: CAC-PP-2017-3
The Peters Papers consists of 50 linear feet of largely paper materials related to Peters’ research interests and publications. The majority of the collection is found in the Research Series which includes copies of primary source materials, draft writing, secondary sources, handwritten notes and notecards, and interview notes and transcripts related to many of Peters’ published works and some unpublished projects. The T Bar 12 Series sets the scene for the ouster of Oklahoma Speaker Jim Barker 1989 and its influence on Oklahoma politics. Of particular note throughout the collection are Peters’ notes, transcripts, and recordings of multiple interviews he conducted for his research and is highlighted by the cassette tapes which include his lengthy interviews with Speaker Carl Albert.
Dates
- 1971-2000
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is stored off-site and requires prior notice to access. If you wish to view these materials, please contact the Congressional Archives staff to arrange an appointment.
Extent
58.83 Linear Feet (50 containers)
0.0056 Terabytes
Biographical / Historical
Professor Ronald Peters joined the University of Oklahoma’s Department of Political Science in 1976 after graduating from Indiana University. After establishing the Carl Albert Congressional and Research Studies Center in 1979, Peters served as the Director of the Center until 2000. He also served as the chair of the Department of Political Science from 1994 to 2002.
Peters’ publications include The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, The American Speakership: The Office in Historical Perspective, and The Next Generation: Dialogues Between Leaders and Students. He is also co-author of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the New American Politics with Dr. Cindy Simon Rosenthal. Peters also worked as an editor (and author) on The Speaker: Leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives and co-editor of The Atomistic Congress. He also published articles in The Political Science Reviewer, The Encyclopedia of American Political Parties, Journal of Legislative Studies, and The Encyclopedia of the United States Congress.
Well-known for his extensive work on congressional leadership and the speakership in particular, Peters has also been recognized for his efforts in the classroom including receiving the Regents’ Teaching Award in 1994 among others. Over his tenure at the University of Oklahoma, Peters taught over 50 courses and was actively involved in a variety of programs. Peters retired from the University of Oklahoma in 2017.
Arrangement
The Peters Papers are arranged in the original order it was received in from the donor. Previously unfoldered materials were placed in folders during accession. The series were originally created by Peters and an archivist created the subseries in the Research series to provide further clarity and easier description of the materials involved.
- Title
- Guide to the Ronald M. Peters, Jr. Papers
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Heather C. Walser
- Description rules
- dacs
Repository Details
Part of the Carl Albert Center Congressional and Political Collections Repository