From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell W. Peterson
Russell W. Peterson
Russell W. Peterson Professional and political ca-
66th Governor of Delaware
reer
In office
January 21, 1969 – January 16, 1973 After graduate school, Peterson was recruited by the E.I.
du Pont de Nemours and Company to work as a research
Lieutenant Eugene Bookhammer chemist at its Experimental Station in Wilmington. For
Preceded by Charles L. Terry, Jr. over 26 years he held prominent jobs in research, man-
ufacturing and sales, and finally in corporate manage-
Succeeded by Sherman W. Tribbitt ment, becoming director of research and development in
Personal details 1963.[4]
All the while, Peterson had become a well known
Born October 3, 1916(1916-10-03)
civic activist from suburban New Castle County. He had
Portage, Wisconsin
been involved in the “New Day for Delaware” attempt at
Died February 21, 2011(2011-02-21) (aged 94) governmental reform in the Boggs administration, and
Centreville, Delaware had organized an effort at prison reform known as the
Political party Republican (to 1996) “Three-S Citizen’s Campaign,” salvage people, save dol-
Democratic (1996–2011) lars, and shrink the crime rate. His leadership skills in-
Spouse(s) Lillian Turner (1937–1994)
spired Henry B. du Pont to appoint him to the executive
June Jenkins (1995–2011) committee of the Greater Wilmington Development
Council. He was put in charge of the Neighborhood Im-
Residence Wilmington, Delaware
provement Program, tasked with solving poverty in the
Alma mater University of Wisconsin–Madison black community. By 1968 Delaware had experienced ri-
oting following the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Profession scientist
and National Guard troops were still on the streets of
Religion Unitarian Wilmington on the orders of the conservative Democra-
tic Governor, Charles L. Terry, Jr.. Peterson seemed to
Russell Wilbur "Russ" Peterson (October 3, 1916 – Febru- have a fresh, progressive approach for addressing these
ary 21, 2011)[1] was an American scientist and politician and other issues and was drafted by Republican state
from Wilmington, Delaware. He served as Governor of leaders to run for Governor.
Delaware as a member of the Republican Party.[2] An in-
fluential environmentalist, he served as chairman of the
Council on Environmental Quality and president of the
Governor of Delaware
National Audubon Society.[3] Accordingly, Peterson was elected Governor of Delaware
in 1968, narrowly defeating the incumbent Governor
Early life and family Charles L. Terry, Jr. His first act was to remove the Na-
tional Guard from Wilmington.[4] His administration was
Peterson was born in Portage, Wisconsin, the son of An- one that enacted several substantial changes, with per-
ton and Emma Peterson. The eighth of nine children, haps the biggest change being the successful implemen-
his father Anton was an immigrant from Sweden who tation of the old “New Day for Delaware” plan that trans-
worked as a bartender and barber.[4] Peterson attended formed the organization of state government. Delaware’s
the University of Wisconsin–Madison where he received executive departments had been run by commissions,
a B.S. in 1938, working as a dishwasher in the chemistry appointed by the governor, but with considerable policy
lab to pay the bills and a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1942.[5] In independence, and overlapping terms. As a result the
1937 he married Lillian Turner, with whom he had four governor had control over his departments only through
children: R. Glen, Peter J., Kristin P. Havill and Elin P. Sul- persuasion and the budget. The newly enacted law pro-
livan. Lillian died in 1994. He married his second wife, vided for an eleven-man cabinet organization, with de-
June Jenkins, who had been recently widowed, in 1995.[5] partment leadership provided by persons serving at the
He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Associa- pleasure of the Governor. In all, Peterson eliminated 100
tion. commissions and boards. Neither Peterson nor his suc-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell W. Peterson
cessor, Sherman W. Tribbitt, were fully able to take ad- 1971–1972 126th Republican Reynolds Republican William
vantage of this change, but their successors all made it du Pont L. Fred-
one of the foundations of the present Delaware state gov- erick
ernment.
Peterson was also a dedicated environmentalist and
the guiding force behind the Coastal Zone Act of 1972. Later career
This act protected Delaware’s inland bays and waterways After leaving office, Nixon, impressed by Peterson’s an-
by banning heavy industry from a two-mile-wide strip swers to Stans’ questions, appointed Peterson as Chair-
of Delaware’s 115 mile coastline, about 20% of the state.
man of the Council on Environmental Quality. Peterson
The major consequence of the Act was preventing Shell served from 1973–1976, leading a taskforce on the elimi-
from building a $200m oil refinery.[4] This piece of leg-
nation of chlorofluorocarbons and helping to shape envi-
islation has since been used by other states to protect ronmental reviews as mandated by the National Environ-
their shorelines. During his tenure as governor Petersonmental Policy Act. In November 1973, Peterson worked
chaired the Education Commission of the States from with then-Governor of New York Nelson Rockefeller to
1970 to 1971. When Maurice Stans, the Secretary of Com- establish the Commission on Critical Choices for Ameri-
merce under Richard Nixon complained to Peterson that cans.[7] Peterson served as the President of the National
the Act harmed America’s security and prosperity, Peter-Audubon Society from 1979 to 1985,[8] he fought Ronald
son listed a dozen ways in which companies could contin-Reagan’s attempts to weaken environmental regulations,
ue their work without harming Delaware’s coastline. The pushed the Society beyond its traditional remit into areas
Act was unsuccessfully challenged in court, and Petersonlike energy policy, toxic waste and population control.
led the environmental movement in Delaware by sport- He hired more scientists, started an environmental cur-
ing a badge on his lapel that said "To Hell with Shell!" [4]
riculum for school children and got Ted Turner to fi-
These were a breathtaking number of changes for nance the TV series The World of Audubon, narrated by
normally conservative Delaware – Peterson appointed Robert Redford, amongst others.[4]
the first black man, Arva Jackson, to the University of "Every time something wonderful has happened when I
Delaware’s board of trustees, insisted on the hiring of was president and since then in the field of environmen-
black people to the State Police, pressed for the state’s
tal quality in this country or on a global basis, Russ Peter-
open housing law and relaxed abortion laws.[6] In 1972, son has been intimately involved in it."
Delaware became the last state to outlaw flogging as a Jimmy Carter, at the University of Delaware, 1993[9]
form of punishment, removing Red Hannah, America’s A keen bird watcher, Peterson took up the hobby after
last whipping post. Meanwhile, in spite of warnings, taking his son to the Everglades in 1954 and identified
Peterson seemed to be unaware of growing financial over 1,000 birds during his life.[4] In October 1996 he
problems for the state. Finally, in June 1971, Peterson ad-
switched his party affiliation to the Democratic Party, af-
mitted he had made revenue miscalculations resulting in ter endorsing Democrats in presidential elections since
a $5 million deficit. The mistake opened the door to op-1988.[5] The Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge,
ponents of the other changes to unleash a barrage of crit-
just outside Wilmington, has been named in his hon-
icism. As a result, when he sought a second term the next
or.[10] Peterson also served as a visiting professor at Dart-
year, he was nearly defeated in the Republican primary mouth College in 1985, Carleton College in 1986, and the
by former Lieutenant Governor David P. Buckson. In the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1987.[5] He also
general election, he was defeated by the Democratic for-served as President of the International Council for Bird
mer Lieutenant Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt after an- Preservation, as a principal officer in three international
nouncing an unexpected tax increase in the middle of theenvironmental organisations, worked for the United Na-
campaign.[4] He left office with Delaware enjoying a bud-
tions on various activities and as Chairman of the Center
get surplus. on the Long-Term Biological Consequences of Nuclear
War, working with Carl Sagan, Paul Ehrlich and Peter
Raven to employ scientists to inform world leaders of the
Delaware General Assembly dangers of nuclear weapons.[9]
(sessions while Governor)
In 1982, Russell W. Peterson was honored to be se-
Year lected as the
Assembly Senate Ma- President House Ma- Speaker Swedish-American of the year by the Vasa
jority pro tempore jority Order of American.[11] In 1984 he was given the Robert
1969–1970 125th Republican Reynolds Republican George C. by the Wilderness Society, in 1994 the Na-
Marshall Award
du Pont tional Wildlife Federation gave him the Conservationist of
Hering,
the III award, in 1995, the League of Conservation Vot-
Year
ers awarded him its lifetime achievement award and in
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell W. Peterson
2007 he was inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall vision – so essential to the preservation of this
of Fame. fragile planet." – The Wilderness Society, 1984
In April 2008, a small ship was rechristened "Russell • "remarkable, unstinting, courageous and insightful
W. Peterson." The ship, owned by Aqua Survey Inc. was contribution to environmental protection around
used for the study of migratory bird routes. However, on the world." – National Wildlife Federation president
May 12, 2008, the "Russell W. Peterson" was destroyed in and chief executive officer, Jay Hair, 1994
a storm off the Delaware coast, killing one of its two crew • "Ever the scientist and always the humanist, you
members.[12] have woven these twin passions into a lifetime of
Peterson suffered a stroke on the morning of Mon- dedication to protecting this earth. Whatever the
day, February 21, 2011 and died at 8:10pm that evening[6] job, whatever the administration, you have put the
at his Centreville home.[13] He was survived by his wife, environment ahead of politics, supporting pro-
four children, seventeen grandchildren and sixteen environmentalists wherever you have found them."
great-grandchildren. – The League of Conservation Voters, 1995
• "Just after his 75th birthday, Gov. Peterson came to
Almanac see me in the governor’s office and said, ’We ought
to do something about the riverfront along the
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Christina River.’ I said, ’Will you help me?’ He said,
The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January ’You bet!’ And he did. The rest is history. At an age
and has a four year term. when most people are ready to push back and take
life easy, Russ Peterson just kept picking up speed.
Public Offices He married his wife, June, who proved to be the wind
Office Type Location Began Ended notes beneath his wings. Her love and enthusiasm enabled
office office him to pack more into the last 15 years of his life
than anyone I’ve ever known. What a giant. God
Governor Executive Dover January January
knows I’ll miss him. We all will." – Senator Tom
21, 16,
Carper, 2011
1969 1973
Election results References
Year Office Election Subject Party Votes [1]% http://www.delawareonline.com/article/
Opponent Party Votes %
20110222/NEWS02/102220357/Russell-Peterson-
1968 Governor General Russell Republican 104,474 51% Charles L. Democratic 102,360 49%
ex-governor-champion-environment-
W. Terry, Jr.
dies-94?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome
Peterson
[2] Russell W. Peterson (Delaware’s Governors)
54% David P. Republican 20,138 46%
1972 Governor Primary Russell Republican 23,929 [3] Douglas Martin, "R.W. Peterson, 94, Dies; Leader on
W. Buckson
Environment," The New York Times, Feb. 24, 2011, p.
Peterson A25.
[4] ^ Martin, Douglas (February117,274 51%
1972 Governor General Russell Republican 109,583 49% Sherman Democratic 23, 2011). "Russell W.
W. Peterson, Scientist Turned Environmentalist, Dies".
W. Trib-
Peterson Thebitt York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/
New
2011/02/24/us/politics/24peterson.html.
[5] ^ Russell W. Peterson papers, Library of Congress,
Quotes about Peterson 2006.
• "...your courage, your eloquence and your [6] ^ http://www.delawareonline.com/article/
determination to keep the big picture in view 20110222/NEWS02/102220357/Russell-Peterson-
provided both inspiration and motivation to the ex-governor-champion-environment-dies-94
broader environmental community across the [7] http://www.wiscnews.com/news/
nation." – Former Council of Economic Qulaity staff article_4a7fe1be-40a0-11e0-bb5b-001cc4c03286.html
director Steven Jellinek. [8] "Russell W. Peterson", Wisconsin Conservation Hall
• "Renaissance man – scientist, scholar, statesman, of Fame.
educator, public servant, author, esteemed [9] ^ http://www.wchf.org/inductees/peterson.html
colleague: yours has been an extraordinary and [10] "Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge",
profound contribution toward protecting and DuPont Environmental Education Center
enhancing the environment of our nation and our [11] Swedish-Americans of the Year (Vasa Order of
world, follow, in your own words, a ‘one world’ American)
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell W. Peterson
[12] Ron MacArthur, "Salvage crew pries research • Peterson, Russell W. (2003). Patriots, stand up!.
vessel from Bethany Beach" Cape Gazette May 20, Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. p. 76 p..
2008. ISBN 1892142201.
[13] http://www.delawareonline.com/article/
20110223/NEWS02/102230317/Peterson-recalled-
visionary-leader
External links
• Biographical Directory of the Governors of the
United States
Other sources • The Political Graveyard
• Boyer, William W. (2000). Governing Delaware. • Delaware Audubon Society
Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. • Russell Peterson The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of
ISBN 1-892142-23-6. Hame
• Cohen, Celia (2002). Only in Delaware, Politics and
Politicians in the First State. Newark, Delaware: Persondata
Grapevine Publishing.
Name Peterson, Russell W.
• Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware.
Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. Alternative names
ISBN 1-892142-23-6. Short description
• Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Date of birth October 3, 1916
Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
Place of birth Portage, Wisconsin
• Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark,
Delaware: University of Delaware Press. Date of death February 21, 2011
ISBN 0-87413-493-5. Place of death Centreville, Delaware
• Peterson, Russell W. (1999). Rebel with a conscience.
Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press.
p. 416 p.. doi:id =. ISBN 0874136814.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Russell_W._Peterson&oldid=474315396"
Categories:
• 1916 births
• 2011 deaths
• American Unitarian Universalists
• People from New Castle County, Delaware
• People from Columbia County, Wisconsin
• University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni
• Delaware Republicans
• Governors of Delaware
• American people of Swedish descent
• American Unitarians
• Deaths from stroke
• Republican Party state governors of the United States
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