Laurence J. Peter Papers

Laurence J. Peter Papers, 1959-1987

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Peter, Laurence J.
Title: Laurence J. Peter Papers
Dates: 1959-1987 (inclusive)
19591987
Quantity: 7 Linear feet of shelf space, (15 Boxes and 1 Oversize folder)
Collection Number: Cage 842 (collection)
Summary: The Laurence J. Peter Papers consist of documents about Peter's career as an author, educator, and satirist. Peter, best known for his work The Peter Principle, was a professor of education at the University of Southern California and author of 11 works. This collection primarily contains book manuscripts, correspondence, recorded lectures, and realia representative of Peter's satire.
Repository: Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions: This collection is open and available for research use.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Laurence Peter was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1919. Peter received both his bachelors and master’s in education from Western Washington University in 1957 and 1958 respectively before receiving his Ph. D. in education from Washington State University in 1963. After graduating, Peter worked in Vancouver before being hired as an Associate Professor of Education, Director of the Evelyn Frieden Centre for Prescriptive Teaching, and Coordinator of Programs for Emotionally Disturbed Children at the University of Southern California in 1967. In 1969, W. Morrow published Peter’s best known publication The Peter Principle, which outlines how employees tend to rise to their level of incompetence, which sold over 200,000 copies in its first year of publication, was translated into 38 languages, and was on the New York Times best sellers list. The work was created in conjunction with free-lance writer Raymond Hull. It is still widely cited today in the corporate world. His publications about education include a four volume work titled Competencies for Teaching: System of Accountability for Teacher Education. He continued to publish a number of other books until his death on January 12, 1990 in his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California.

Peter married twice, first to Nancy Bailey in 1943 and then to Irene Howe in 1967. Nancy and Laurence had four children, John, Edward, Margaret, and Alice.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection consists of materials documenting Peter’s career as an author, educator, and satirist. Much of the collection contains typescripts, proofs, and galleys of Peter’s publications. The collection also contains correspondence, files for events attended by Peter, including presentations recorded on reel-to-reel audio tape, photographs of Peter, and selected realia, including a Golden Dinosaur award. Some incoming correspondence was written by celebrities, including George Carlin and Steve Allen.

Some of the items in this collection contain terms that have historically been used to dismiss, discount and marginalize individuals from particular communities. MASC recognizes the harm caused by these terms. We retain the language in this finding aid to document history and preserve context.

Series 1: Publications, 1959-1987. This series contains typescript drafts, proofs, and galleys of Peter's book length works, as well as reviews and other documents about his publications. This series is divided into 10 subseries, 1 for each title represented in the collection and general subseries for files about Peter's work or shorter works, such as articles.

Subseries 1: The Laughter Prescription, circa 1982. This subseries consists of one bound typescript of The Laughter Prescription.

Subseries 2: The Peter Plan, undated. This subseries consists of one bound typescript of the Peter Plan and a set of slides featuring illustrations from the book.

Subseries 3: The Peter Prescription, 1972-1973. This subseries consists of a bound and unbound typescripts of the book. In addition, this subseries contains an audio recording of the book on audio cassette.

Subseries 4: The Peter Principle, 1968-1986. This subseries consists of a bound and unbound typed draft of the book, a set of galley proofs, a follow up book length comic titled The Peter Principle: The Wide World of Incompetence by Matt Wuerker, and a film version of the book on 16 mm film.

Subseries 5: The Peter Pyramid, undated. This subseries consists of an unbound typescript of the book.

Subseries 6: Peter’s Almanac, undated. This subseries consists of one bound typescript of Peter’s Almanac.

Subseries 7: Peter’s People, undated. This subseries consists of one bound typescript of Peter’s People.

Subseries 8: Peter’s Quotations, undated. This subseries consists of an unbound typescript of Peter’s Quotations along with multiple copies of the index and table of subjects.

Subseries 9: Prescriptive Teaching, undated. This subseries consists of one bound typescript of Prescriptive teaching and notes on how to use the book.

Subseries 10: Process of Teaching, circa 1985. This subseries consists of on unbound typescript of the book including the instructor’s manual.

Subseries 11: Why Things Go Wrong, 1979-1984. This subseries consists of one unbound typescript of Why Things Go Wrong and a proposal for a heavily illustrated version of the book featuring several cartoons.

Subseries 12: Reviews and articles, 1959-1987. This series consists of reviews and publicity for works by Peter, articles by Peter, book ideas, and a Russian translation of an excerpt from the Peter Principle.

Series 2: Events and lectures, 1968-1982. This series consists of flyers, programs, and audio recordings of events in which Peter participated.

Series 3: Correspondence, 1965-1986. This series consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence. The file of celebrity correspondence includes correspondence from George Carlin and Steve Allen.

Series 4: Photographs, 1969-1985. This series consists of photographs taken largely for the purpose of publicity.

Series 5: Miscellaneous, 1968-1986. This series consists of farcical documents such as documents about Peter University and risqué personality assessments. The series also contains flyers and posters.

Series 6: Awards and realia, 1987. This series consists of awards both earned by and awarded by Peter, in addition to items that reflect Peter’s humor, including a name plate and branding iron.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

Laurence Peter Papers, 1959-1987 (Cage 842)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in 6 series: Series 1, Publications, is arranged alphabetically by title; Series 2, Events, is arranged in alphabetical order; Series 3, Correspondence, is arranged chronologically with a separate file titled celebrity correspondence; Series 4, Photographs; Series 5, Miscellaneous, is arranged in alphabetical order; and Series 6, Awards and Realia.

Acquisition Information

The Laurence Peter Papers were donated to Washington State University by Laurence Peter from 1977-1988 (MS 1977-50, MS 1983-25, MS 1986-23, MS 1986-30, MS 1987-25, MS 1988-31).

Processing Note

This collection was processed by Megan Bridge and Steven Bingo in 2016.

Separated Materials

A copy of the Laughter Prescription and issues of Human Behavior Magazine were separated from this collection and cataloged with the WSU Libraries' rare books. The issues of Human Behavior Magazine contain a column titled "Peter's People."

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1: Publications, 1959-1987Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		Subseries 1: The Laughter Prescription	circa 1982
Box
10		Bound typescript copy	circa 1982
		Subseries 2: The Peter Plan	undated
Box
10		Bound typescript draft	undated
13		Illustrations from the Peter Plan "Morrow"	undated
		Subseries 3: The Peter Prescription	1972-1973
Box	Folder
1	1	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Beginning pages, includes Introduction	1972
1	2	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 1 Chapter 1, 1-13	1972
1	3	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 1 Chapter 2, 14-33	1972
1	4	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 1 Chapter 3, 34-57	1972
1	5	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 1 Chapter 4, 58-73	1972
1	6	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 2 Chapter 5, 74-93	1972
1	7	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 2 Chapter 6, 94-124	1972
1	8	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 2 Chapter 7, 125-138	1972
1	9	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 2 Chapter 8, 139-153	1972
1	10	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 3 Chapter 9, 154-175	1972
1	11	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 3 Chapter 10, 176-193	1972
1	12	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 3 Chapter 11, 194-217	1972
1	13	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Part 3 Chapter 12, 218-255	1972
1	14	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Au Revoir, 259-259	1972
1	15	Original Manuscript The Peter Prescription Notes and Captions of Illustrations	1972
10		Bound typescript draft	1972
12		The Sound Edition of the Peter Prescription (audio cassette)	1973
		Subseries 4: The Peter Principle	1968-1986
Box	Folder
1	16	Information on film The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong	1975
1	17	Original Manuscript for The Peter Principle Beginning pages and Introduction	1968
1	18	Original Manuscript Chapters 1-5 The Peter Principle	1968
1	19	Original Manuscript Chapters 6-10 The Peter Principle	1968
1	20	Original Manuscript Chapters 11-15 The Peter Principle	1968
1	21	Original Manuscript Glossary and Notes on the Illustrations The Peter Principle	1968
Map Drawer		Galley proofs Beginning Pages	undated
Map Drawer		Galley proofs The Peter Principle	undated
Map Drawer		Galley proofs The Peter Principle	undated
Map Drawer		Galley proofs Beginning Pages	undated
10		The Peter Principle	undated
	Folder
1	22	Manuscript for The Peter Principle: The Wide World of Incompetence	undated
1	23	Peter Principle Cartoons	1984-1986
15		Peter Principle Why Things Go Wrong 16 mm film	1975
	Folder
4	74	A Cartoon the Peter Principle Why Things Always Go Wrong	1979
		Subseries 5: The Peter Pyramid	undated
Box	Folder
1	24	Typed Manuscript The Peter Pyramid Chapter 1, 1-25	undated
1	25	Typed Manuscript The Peter Pyramid Chapter 2, 26-52	undated
2	26	Typed Manuscript The Peter Pyramid Chapter 3, 53-102	undated
2	27	Typed Manuscript The Peter Pyramid Chapter 4, 103-142	undated
2	28	Typed Manuscript The Peter Pyramid Chapter 5, 143-184	undated
		Subseries 6: Peter's Almanac	undated
Box
11		Bound typescript draft	undated
		Subseries 7: Peter's People	undated
Box
11		Bound typescript draft	undated
		Subseries 8: Peter's Quotations	undated
Box	Folder
2	29	Table of Subjects for Peter's Quotations	undated
2	30	Beginning Pages for Peter's Quotations	undated
2	31	Body of the book Peter's Quotations 1-100	undated
2	32	Body of the book Peter's Quotations 101-200	undated
2	33	Body of the book Peter's Quotations 201-300	undated
2	34	Body of the book Peter's Quotations 301-400	undated
2	35	Body of the book Peter's Quotations 401-500	undated
3	36	Body of the book Peter's Quotations 501-600	undated
3	37	Body of the book Peter's Quotations 601-700	undated
3	38	Body of the book Peter's Quotations 701-761	undated
3	39	Index and Names and Authors for the book Peter's Quotations	undated
3	40	Table of Subjects (2 copies)	undated
3	41	Index	undated
		Subseries 9: Prescriptive Teaching	undated
Box
11		Unbound typescript draft	undated
	Folder
3	42	Prescriptive Teaching Systems Film	undated
		Subseries 10: Process of Teaching	circa 1985
Box	Folder
3	43	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Opening pages and Introduction	undated
3	44	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter One "Tutoring"	undated
3	45	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Two "Conceptual Model"	undated
3	46	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Three "Assessment"	undated
3	47	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Four "Program Objectives"	undated
3	48	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Five "Lesson Objectives"	undated
3	49	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Six "Elicitors"	undated
3	50	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Seven "Reinforces"	undated
3	51	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Eight "Transfer and Generalization"	undated
4	52	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Nine "Individual Differences"	undated
4	53	Original Manuscript Processes of Teaching Chapter Ten "Evaluation"	undated
4	54	Processes of Teaching "Classroom Instruction"	undated
4	55	Processes of Teaching Appendix A "Group Assessment"	undated
4	56	Processes of Teaching Appendix B "Unit and Course Objectives"	undated
4	57	Processes of Teaching Appendix C "Lesson Plans"	undated
4	58	Processes of Teaching Appendix D "Teacher Performance and Instructional Media"	undated
4	59	Processes of Teaching Appendix E "Contingency Management"	undated
4	60	Processes of Teaching Appendix F "Individual Instruction"	undated
4	61	Processes of Teaching Appendix G "Group Evaluation"	undated
4	62	Processes of Teaching: Instructors Manual	circa 1985
		Subseries 11: Why Things Go Wrong	1979-1984
Box	Folder
4	63	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Opening Pages	1984
4	64	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter One "A Man of Principle"	1984
4	65	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Two "Law and Disorder"	1984
4	66	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Three "A Clot for Every Slot"	1984
4	67	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Four "Gloom at the Top"	1984
4	68	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Five "Business as Usual"	1984
4	69	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Six "To Whom It May Concern"	1984
4	70	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Seven "Military Intelligence"	1984
4	71	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Eight "Short Cuts"	1984
4	72	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Nine "As the World Churns"	1984
4	73	Edited manuscript Why Things Go Wrong Chapter Ten "The Implausible Dream"	1984
		Subseries 12: Reviews and articles	1959-1987
Box	Folder
4	75	Articles, Book Reviews, Recent Activities	1962-1971
4	76	Best Seller Lists	1966-1983
5	77	Copies of Articles which L. J. Peter paraphrased	1967-1982
5	78	Einstein Revisited	September 30, 1983
5	79	Focus on Exceptional Children volume 3	May 03, 1971
5	80	Gloom at the Top	1971-1982
5	81	Gloom at the Top	1959-1980
5	82	Humor and Peace	undated
5	83	Inostrannaya Literatura (Russian translation of Peter Principle excerpt pp. 195-209)	1987
5	84	International Youth and Peace Years	1984-1985
4	86	Laughter Prescription review	October 01, 1982
5	87	Peace Must Be Spoken in Many Languages	May 23, 1984
5	88	Peter- Almanac	1979-1983
5	89	Peter- Clippings	1969-1985
5	90	Peter Plan- Activities and Clippings	1973-1982
5	91	Peter Prescription Clippings and Quotes	1972-1985
5	92	Peter Principle- Clippings	1969-1987
6	93	Peter Principle Revisited, or, Why Things Go Wrong	1984-1986
6	94	Peter Quote Book	1977-1985
6	95	Peter's People- Activities	1979-1982
6	96	Quote Book- Activities	1977-1979
6	97	Quote Book- Reviews	1977-1979
6	98	Quotes	1972-1982
6	99	Quotes about Dr. Peter and Quotes about Peter's books	undated
6	100	The Incompleat Writing Machine or How the Theory of Hierarchalogy Is Confirmed in a Study of the Development of the Typewriter	undated
6	101	Wait Watchers: Fun Quotes for Waiting Room Captives	undated

Series 2: Lectures and events, 1968-1982Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
6	102	Loose flyers	undated
12		Missouri State Teachers Association speech (reel-to-reel audio tape)	November 02,1978
12		National Meeting of Systems Engineers speech, San Francisco (reel-to-reel audio tape)	March 29,1968
	Folder
6	103	Program and Schedule: Curriculum 4th International University for Presidents "Odyssey of Knowledge" Queen Elizabeth 2	May 14-21, 1973
6	104	Program for Heidelberg College 129th Commencement	May 16, 1982
6	105	Santa Barbara Conference Lecture, handwritten page	1978
12		Today Show (reel-to-reel audio tape)	August 25, 1972
	Folder
6	106	United Nations Day World Holiday	undated
6	107	Will Rogers Memorial	undated

Series 3: Correspondence, 1965-1986Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
6	108	Correspondence	1965-1968
6	109	Letters- Comments about articles	1966-1969
6	110	Letters- Comments about articles	1967
6	111	Papers, Clippings, Articles, Letters	1967
7	112	Peter Principle- Correspondence	1969
7	113	Peter Principle- Correspondence	1969-1975
7	114	Education- Correspondence	1969-1982
7	115	Letters to L. J. Peter from Richard Armour, Articles by and about Richard Armour	1969-1985
7	116	Correspondence- General	1969-1986
7	117	Peter Principle- Correspondence	1970
7	118	Peter Prescription- Correspondence	1971-1972
7	119	Peter Principle- Correspondence	1971-1975
7	120	Peter Prescription- Correspondence	1972-1974
7	121	Loose correspondence	1972-1976

Series 4: Photographs, 1969-1985Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box
OS		Layout for article in Home Magazine of the L.A. Times	1976
	Folder
9	144	Photographs of L. J. Peter	1969-1985
9	145	Photographs of L. J. Peter	undated
9	146	Photographs of L. J. Peter by Vernon Merrett of Life Magazine	1969
14		Signed Photo of Laurence Peter	undated
14		Large Photo of Laurence Peter	1974

Series 5: Miscellaneous, 1968-1986Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box
Map Drawer		Poster for "Guidelines for bureaucrats"	undated
	Folder
8	131	"How Neurotic Are You" article from MAD magazine.	undated
8	132	Miscellaneous	1968-1986
8	133	An Official History of Peter University	undated
8	134	Flyer- Peace must be spoken in many languages	undated
5	85	L. J. Peter Info- Processing Notes and Bibliography	undated
8	135	Peter University Miscellaneous	undated
9	136	Process-Centered Therapy: Personality Understanding Test	undated
8	137	Process Centered Therapy: Picture Arrangement Completion Test	undated
8	138	Process Centered Therapy: Process Centered Intelligence Test	undated
8	139	Process Centered Therapy: Process Centered Intelligence Test	undated
8	140	Process Centered Therapy: Thematic Attitude Test	undated
8	141	Process Centered Therapy: Thematic Interest Test	undated
8	142	Psychiatry Do it yourself	undated
8	143	Three Jeers For Bureaucracy	undated

Series 6: Awards and realia, 1987Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
9	147	No Bull prize for 1987 goes to witness of postwar Berlin article	November 26, 1987
9	148	No Bull Peace Prize	undated
9	149	Awards and Certificates	undated
14		Desk Placard "Resident Eccentric"	undated
14		The Peter Principle Golden Dinosaur Award for Outstanding Incompetence	undated
14		Branding iron Letter	undated
14		Branding iron	undated

Archives West Finding Aid

Table of Contents