Home › Digital Collections › Special Collections and Archives Finding Aids

Percival Perry Papers

Finding Aid & Inventory

Dr. Percival Perry (1916-2005) served as a Professor of History and Dean of the Summer Session at Wake Forest University. Margaret Ruthven Perry (1921-2010), his wife, served as Wake Forest University's first female registrar. This collection includes articles and essays written by Percival Perry, as well as correspondence, teaching materials, and a small number of photographs. Also included are some of his students' work, such as journals and papers. The collection includes professional materials from Margaret Perry and personal correspondence between the Perrys during the 1940s.

Browse the Finding Aid & Inventory

Submit a research request for this material

Biographical and Historical Note

Percival Perry was born in 1916. He earned his B.A. from Wake Forest University, his M.A. from Rutgers University, and his Ph.D. from Duke University. Percival served as Professor of History, Head of the History Department, and Dean of the Summer Session at Wake Forest University. Perry was also a member of the International Council of Phi Alpha Theta, honor society in history, and from 1971-1981 served as News Editor of "The Historian," the journal of Phi Alpha Theta. He wrote numerous essays and articles, such as his "History of Wake Forest University" (1974). Perry served in the Third Army, XII Corps during World War Two. Percival died in 2005.

Margaret Ruthven Perry was born in 1921. Margaret began college at Winthrop College and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She served as the first female registrar at Wake Forest University and implemented the first computerized registration system at the University. She was a member and president of the Southern Association of Registrars and Admissions Officers, as well as many other professional organizations. She was also involved in the College Club for women, which was later renamed University Club. Margaret died in 2010.

Sources:

  • "Dr. Percival Perry," Find a Grave, 2011 March. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35328751/percival-perry
  • "Margaret Perry Obituary," The Daily Reflector, 2010 September 9. Accessed at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/reflector/obituary.aspx?n=margaret-ruthven-perry&pid=145194941

Collection Overview

This collection's contents spans from 1939 to 1986. It contains writings from Percival Perry, such as articles, essays, and personal correspondence; presentations and information pertaining to conferences and events that he spoke at; teaching materials such as examination questions; and student works such as journals and papers. Moreover, there are various materials relating to Wake Forest University during the time in which Perry taught, including information regarding the school's transition from a college to a university and the development of the History department. Two notebooks from Percival's younger brother, Jeremiah Buchanan (J.B.) Perry, during his time as a student, are also present.

The collection features speeches written by Margaret Perry, along with College Club (later known as University Club) materials. Materials from before their arrival at the University include personal correspondence from the 1940s between the Perrys, various newspaper clippings, and military paraphernalia from Percival's service in World War Two.

The collection is arranged into three series: Series 1. Margaret Perry materials; Series 2. Percival Perry materials; and Series 3. Wartime materials. Series 2. Percival Perry materials, is split into 5 subseries: Subseries A. Biographical materials; Subseries B. Correspondence and writings; Subseries C. Presentations and conferences; Subseries D. Teaching and course work; and Subseries E. Wake Forest College/University.

Collection Inventory

  • Margaret Perry materials
    • Mortar Board, Tassels chapter program and booklet (1969) Box 4 Folder 9
    • Registration model overview (circa 1988-1990) Box 2 Folder 9
    • Speeches (circa 1984) Box 4 Folder 7
    • Wake Forest College Club materials (1965-1968) Box 2 Folder 12-13
    • Wake Forest University Club cookbook (1994) Box 5 Folder 1
    • "Women in Wake Forest" exhibit images, transparencies (1992) Box 5 Folder 2
  • Percival Perry materials
    • Biographical materials
      • Biographical information (undated) Box 1 Folder 1
      • Burlington High School, Frances Perry class (undated) Box 3 Folder 14
      • Greece travel brochure (undated) Box 7 Folder 7
      • Perry, J.B., chemistry course notebook (1939) Box 4 Folder 5
      • Perry, J.B., course notes (1938-1939) Box 5 Folder 3
      • Personal correspondence (1939) Box 6 Folder 1
      • Photographs (undated) Box 1 Folder 4-5
      • R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company publications (1958-1962) Box 4 Folder 8
    • Correspondence and writings
      • Articles and essays (circa 1960s) Box 4 Folder 1
      • Book reviews and essays (undated) Box 4 Folder 2
      • Correspondence (1973-1984) Box 1 Folder 3
      • Correspondence: Baptist Joint Committee in Public Affairs (1957-1958) Box 1 Folder 2
      • "The Fall of the Asquith Ministry in 1916:" European Diplomatic History (1942 May 14) Box 4 Folder 3
      • Poem for Henry Stroupe (undated) Box 4 Folder 4
      • Speeches and correspodence: Percival and Margaret (1965-1967) Box 1 Folder 15
      • University of North Carolina stationary (undated) Box 7 Folder 8
    • Presentations and conferences (1957-1985)
      • Baptist College Conference (1957-1985) Box 1 Folder 6
      • Baptist College Conference (1971, 1984) Box 1 Folder 7
      • Baptist College Meeting (1985) Box 1 Folder 8
      • Humanities Conference (1983) Box 1 Folder 9
      • Image: A Woman in University Administration, Conference Paper by Margaret Perry, Invitation (1980, undated) Box 1 Folder 10
      • Presentations (1969, 1978, undated) Box 1 Folder 11
      • Presentation- General Leonidas Polk (undated) Box 1 Folder 12
      • Presentation Ideas (undated) Box 1 Folder 13
      • Presentation- L.B.J. and Election of 1964 (undated) Box 1 Folder 14
    • Teaching and course work
      • Examination questions (1963-1967) Box 2 Folder 5
      • Examination questions (1975-1982) Box 8 Folder 1
      • Examinations (1972-1978) Box 2 Folder 6
      • Examinations (1962-1978) Box 2 Folder 6
      • Historiography journal (1972) Box 2 Folder 1
      • Historiography journal (undated) Box 8 Folder 2
      • Historiography journal (undated) Box 8 Folder 3
      • Henry Ellingwood biography and letters, 1829-1833 (circa 1978) Box 4 Folder 6
      • History 391, Earliest memories and stories (1971) Box 2 Folder 2
      • History course examination questions and topics (1961-1975) Box 2 Folder 7
      • "History of the Naval Stores Industry in Onslow County, N.C.," lecture by Percival Perry (U-matic tape) (1982 October 21) Box 5 Folder 5  Scope and Contents

        Recorded lecture on Umatic tape titled "History of the Naval Stores Industry in Onslow County, N.C." by Percival Perry. Time: 50 minutes, part 2 of 2. Taped October 21, 1982 in Swansboro, N.C.
      • History seminar materials, 20th Century Diplomatic History (1974) Box 2 Folder 10
      • Lectures (undated) Box 2 Folder 8
      • Student paper regarding Capon Springs with comments (circa 1950s) Box 2 Folder 3
      • Student papers (circa 1970-1989) Box 2 Folder 4
      • Syllabi (1972-1986) Box 2 Folder 11
      • Sensbach, Jon, "African-Americans in Salem" and community (1992) Box 4 Folder 11
      • World War Two clippings (circa 1940s) Box 8 Folder 4
    • Wake Forest College/University (1951-1984)
      • Sesquicentennial memorandums (1981-1983) Box 3 Folder 1
      • The Future of Wake Forest College: Papers and Reports Submitted by the Faculty  (1951) Box 3 Folder 2
      • Graylyn as residential learning center proposal (circa 1981) Box 3 Folder 3
      • "History and Historians at Wake Forest: A Sesquicentennial History," by J. Edwin Hendricks (1984) Box 3 Folder 4
      • Special Faculty Committee...Supplying Information... to the Baptist State Convention minutes and reports (1957-1958) Box 3 Folder 5
      • Wake Forest events and information materials (1953-1960, undated) Box 3 Folder 6
      • Self-Evaluation Project reports and materials (1955-1956) Box 3 Folder 7
      • Essays and thoughts (undated) Box 3 Folder 8
      • History department evaluations of Chair, faculty minutes, and bibliography (1983-1984) Box 3 Folder 9
      • Humanities Club prospective member list and letter (1982-1984) Box 3 Folder 10
      • Resolution on Convention- WFU relations (1977) Box 3 Folder 11
      • "In the Good Ol' Summertime: The Summer Session at WFC, 1921-1964," Wake Forest Magazine  (1964) Box 3 Folder 12
      • Faculty handbook (1976-1977) Box 3 Folder 13
      • Reid, A.C. "Prayers" booklet (undated) Box 3 Folder 15
      • Reid, A.C. "Psychology: Introductory Lectures" (1937) Box 5 Folder 4
  • Wartime materials
    • Military field manual (1941) Box 6 Volume 2
    • Kamp Kards: A Soldier's Secretary postcards (1942) Box 1 Folder 16
    • Personal correspondence and newspaper clippings (1942) Box 6 Folder 3
    • Personal correspondence (1943 August-November) Box 6 Folder 5
    • Personal correspondence (1943 February-August) Box 6 Folder 4
    • Personal correspondence (1943 December) Box 6 Folder 6
    • Personal correspondence (1944) Box 7 Folder 1
    • Personal correspondence (1945) Box 7 Folder 2
    • Preseren, Herman, "WFU Faculty in World War 2" (2003) Box 4 Folder 10
    • Postcard, Myrtle Beach (undated) Box 7 Folder 5
    • Military patches (undated) Box 7 Folder 3
    • Personal correspondence (undated) Box 7 Folder 4
    • Newspaper clippings (undated) Box 7 Folder 6

Summary Information

Repository
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
Title
Percival and Margaret Perry Papers
ID
MS661
Date
circa 1939-1986
Extent
2.94 linear feet  6 document boxes, 1 legal half-document box, 1 half-document box

Administrative Information

Publication Information
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives 2014
Revision Description
 Revised by Anna Hathcock 2018 May
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers. 
Copyright Notice
The nature of the WFU Z.Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of ZSR Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. 
Preferred Citation
Percival and Margaret Perry Papers (MS 661), Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. 

The following artifacts were removed from the collection and added to University Archives Artifact Collection (RG14): - A "New Wake Forest College" Groundbreaking Pin from October 15, 1951 - 2 tiles from the Wake Forest College Class of 1937 50th Anniversary Reunion, November 6, 1987

‹ Staff view ›