Michael Peterson papers, 1961-2019 and undated, bulk 1972

Navigate the Collection

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Peterson, Michael (Michael I.)
Abstract:
Novelist, veteran of the Marine Corps in Vietnam, and alumnus of Duke University. Convicted in 2003 of murdering his wife Kathleen Peterson; a retrial was ordered in 2011. In 2017 Peterson submitted an Alford plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter, was sentenced to time already served, and was set free. Chiefly consists of correspondence and writings that pertain to three novels written by Michael Peterson: A Time of War, The Immortal Dragon, and The Enemy. Peterson served in the Marine Corps and based these novels around his experiences during the Vietnamese conflict. The writings contain handwritten and typed drafts of the three novels. While an undergraduate at Duke University, Peterson served as editor of the student newspaper, The Duke Chronicle. Issues of this newspaper printed during his editorship are bound together and included within the collection.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet
500 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.01020

Background

Scope and content:

Collection chiefly consists of correspondence and writings that pertain to three novels written by Michael Peterson: A Time of War, The Immortal Dragon, and The Enemy. Peterson served in the Marine Corps and based these novels around his experiences during the Vietnamese conflict. The writings contain handwritten and typed drafts of the three novels. While an undergraduate at Duke University, Peterson served as editor of the student newspaper, The Duke Chronicle. Issues of this newspaper printed during his editorship are bound together and included within the collection.

Acquisition information:
The Michael Peterson papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 1990 and 2019.
Processing information:

Processed by Rubenstein Library staff, 2001 and 2019.

Encoded by Elizabeth Shesko, May 2011

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 90-122, 2019-0149.

This collection has been given basic processing: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Novelists, American -- 20th century
Duke University -- Periodicals
Names:
Peterson, Michael (Michael I.)
Vietnam War, 1961-1975

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Michael Peterson papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.