John H. Peatling Papers

Collection

Call Number: RG 233

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the research and writings of John H. Peatling, a Yale Divinity School alumnus. Peatling was a specialist in empirical psychology and statistics. He was particularly interested in the cognitive development of religious and moral thinking. He worked for the Character Research Project at Union College from 1971 until the early 1980s, first as the Assistant Director, then as the Director of Basic Research. John Peatling and John Hull founded the International Seminar on Religious Education and Values, in 1977, with the first meeting taking place in Birmingham, England in 1978 and the second meeting at Union College in Schenectady, New York in 1980. The collection is primarily comprised of his writings, research data and tools, and material regarding the International Seminar on Religious Education and Values (ISREV).

Series I, Writings, is divided into two subseries: Writings by John H. Peatling and Writings by Lucie Barber and Others. The Writings by Peatling are arranged alphabetically and include manuscripts, bound manuscripts and theses, and published articles, book chapters, and books. The Writings by Lucie Barber and Others are arranged chronologically and include manuscripts by Lucie Barber, Peatling’s wife who also worked at the Character Research Project at Union College, and correspondence regarding the manuscripts. There are a few published works by others included in the collection.

Series II, Research Data and Tools, is divided into two subseries: Research Data and Research Tools. The Research Data includes the data collected for Peatling’s Ph.D. thesis, Project R&D/23, A Study of Thinking About Biblical Material, in addition to other research projects he worked on. Research Tools includes tools created by Peatling and published tools used by Peatling in his research.

Series III, International Seminar on Religious Education and Values (ISREV), contains materials documenting the inception of the seminar, planning, correspondence, meeting information, membership directories, and collegial papers presented at meetings between 1978 and 1996. Series IV, Personal and Biographical, is small containing one folder of biographical information, Peatling’s copy of The Book of Common Prayer, and material relating to conferences and professional affiliations.

Dates

1960-2007

Creator

Peatling, John H.

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Peatling family, 2009

Arrangement

I. Writings, 1964-1983
II. Research Data and Tools, 1960-1994
III. International Seminar on Religious Education and Values (ISREV), 1977-1996
IV. Personal and Biographical, 1962-2007

Extent

7.5 Linear Feet (18 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/divinity.233

Additional Description

Overview

This collection documents the research and writings of Yale Divinity School graduate John H. Peatling, who was a specialist in empirical psychology and statistics with a particular interest in the cognitive development of religious and moral thinking. The collection also documents the International Seminar on Religious Education and Values, which Peatling founded with John Hull in 1977.

Biographical / Historical

1926 Dec 15: Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to John Howard Peatling, Sr. and Esther Rose Peatling. He was active in musical groups through high school and college.
1949: Graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.A.
1949 Jul 31: Married Jane Cobb. They had three children, Jane Ellen Duffy (4 Mar 1952), Karen Ann Crouch (20 Nov 1955), and Mary Elizabeth McCorkle (24 Dec 1957). Jane Cobb Peatling died 2 Nov 1970.
1952: B.D. in Parish Ministry from Yale University Divinity School.
1953: S.T.M. in Liturgics and the History of Doctrine from Yale University Divinity School.
1955: Ordained to the Christian Priesthood in the Diocese of Michigan of The Protestant Episcopal Church.
1960: Moved to Connecticut to work for the National Episcopal Church developing Christian education materials.
1971-1980s: Worked for the Character Research Project in Union College, Schenectady, New York, first as the Assistant Director, then as Director of Basic Research.
1972 Apr 2: Married Lucie W. Barber.
1973: Ph.D. in Religious Education from New York University.
1974: Received the Founders Day Award from New York University.
1977: Founded the International Seminar on Religious Education and Values with John Hull. The first meeting was held in Birmingham, England in 1978.
1984-1988: Served as Rector for St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Schenectady and then became Rector Emeritus.
1991: Death of his wife, Lucie Barber.
2007 May 15: Died in Niskayuna, New York.