Court Papers and Related Documents
Distict of Columbia Court of General Sessions Papers
George W. Peterson Papers
Peterson's class notes from Common Law Actions class, 1939-1940
Legal education has changed over the past 60 or so years; today we have more interdisciplinary focused classes and a larger global perspective. What was taught in law schools in the 1940s? Was it at all similar to what we teach today? Even if we subtract the technology and add a few new laws and decisions? Would even the most passionate law professor preserve his syllabi and class notes to be uncovered 60 years later? There is another way to glimpse a historical snapshot of legal education and that is through a student's class notes and course materials.
The George Peterson Collection, generously donated by Larry and Linda DeMellier, is comprised of the class notes and course materials of George W. Peterson, L'42. The collection spans the 1939-1941 school terms.
George Peterson was a student of Georgetown Law enrolling in 1939, after graduating from Superior State Teachers College with his B.S. in 1934. Shortly after receiving his LL.B from Georgetown Law, George enlisted in the military and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He later received the Bronze Star for his service. After the military George returned home to Balsam Lake, Wisconsin to practice law. He served twice as District Attorney in the years that followed.
Peterson's seminar room 1939
The collection of detailed notes from Civil Procedure, Common Law Actions, Equity and Real Property II enable us to view legal education through the eyes of a student. His notes and materials reflect his intense interest in the law and its practice and give us a unique perspective on a particular moment in legal education. For example, they tell us what important cases were being used in Real Property class discussions. Every captured detail on a note pad is an example of the learning process, a process that is individual to each person, but gives us a small window into their interests and their understanding of law. The marginalia found on notes and course materials suggest important key points or likely test questions. Through this collection we can get a sense of the student experience during a specific moment in time. It is a collection that is sure to bring back the memories of furious note taking and strenuous studying, for anyone who has been in that chair.
George W. Peterson Finding Aid
Search Our Collections (type "Peterson" in the Title Search field to browse this collection in more detail and view digital images. *To view more images, click on one of the "Series" links under Record Consists of and then click on one of the "File" links to see related images.)
For more information on the Manuscripts Collection contact Hannah Miller, Manuscripts Librarian at 202/661-6602 or Special Collections at at 202/662-9172 or by email at htm@law.georgetown.edu or bedard@law.georgetown.edu.
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