Peterson, Wilfred Arlan
August 21, 1900 - June 2, 1995
Place of Birth: Whitehall, MI
Place of Principle Residence: Grand Rapids, MI
Biography:
Wilfred Arlan Peterson was born to Peter and Elsie Peterson in Whitehall, MI. He graduated from Muskegon High School and took extension coursed from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. From 1928 to 1965 Peterson worked as a creative direction and vice-president for Jaqua advertising, and in addition served on the advisory board for Sunshine Magazine and the editorial board of Science of the Min Magazine. His inspirational essays first appeared on the “Words to Live By” page of This Week Magazine in 1960, which was in 42 metropolitan Sunday newspapers, reaching over 13 million readers. Shortly after Peterson published his first book, The Art of Living, which quickly turned into a series. Eventually William J. Nicholas, editor of This Week Magazine, recorded Peterson’s first book into an album. In the course of thirty-seven years Peterson published ten books, which were translated into six different languages. His work was said to “save marriages,” and many readers affectionately esteemed him. Between 1970 to 1980 Peterson’s essays were made into greeting cards, calendars, and gift books and appeared in Hallmark stores. Peterson was married to his wife for fifty-eight years, before she passed away. He attributed her to being the inspiration of his books. For the majority of his life, Peterson lived in Grand Rapids Michigan, and had one daughter, Lilian.
Selected Works:
- The Art of Creative Thinking (1991)
- The Art of Living Day by Day (1972)
- The Art of Living (1961)
Awards:
- 1958 George Washington Medal, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
- 1963 Silver Medal Award, Advertising Federation of America, National Advertising Man of the Year
Critical Reception:
“One of the best loved American writers of the 20th century, renowned for his inspirational wisdom and aphoristic wit.”
- Independent Publishers Group
For The Art of Marriage:
“[The] most frequently recited English-language wedding poems and one of the greatest odes to matrimony. It embodies the sentiments, the ideals, and the love to which any marriage aspires. The memorable simplicity of its language makes the poem a touchstone for all couples, both at the start of a relationship and after the blessings of a lifetime in love.”
- Souvenir Press
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Peterson spent all of his life in Michigan, living the majority of it in Grand Rapids, MI.