This accession consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, and published materials documenting Peters' work on the Rare and Endangered Species Committee of the
Bureau of Sports Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Historical Note:
James A. Peters (1922-1972) was born in Iowa and educated at the University of Michigan. He held teaching positions at Brown University, 1952-1958; Universidad Centrale
de Ecuador, Fulbright Lecturer, 1958-1959; Southern Illinois University, 1959; and San Fernando Valley State College, 1959-1964. In 1964 Peters joined the Division of Reptiles
and Amphibians, United States National Museum, and served as Associate Curator, 1964-1967, and Curator, 1967-1972.
Peters' professional activities included membership in a number of scientific societies, notably the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH). He served
the ASIH as Secretary, 1960-1966; Vice-President, 1967; and President, 1970. In 1965, he inaugurated the Smithsonian Herpetological Information Services which distributed
material to herpetological labs and individual herpetologists.