Frank Ross Peterson was born on September 7, 1941 in Montpellier, Idaho. After completing his education in local schools, Peterson served for two years as a missionary in the Great Lakes Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1960-1962). Upon his return, Peterson enrolled at Utah State University and began his study of history. On December 6, 1963, Peterson married Mary Kay Grimes. Together they raised three children; Bret Ross, Bart Allyn, and Matthew Aaron. In 1965 Peterson graduated from Utah State University with his B.A., thereafter he continued his education at Washington State University until his graduation in 1968 with a Ph.D. in Twentieth Century United States History. From 1968-1971 Peterson taught history at the University of Texas. In 1971 Peterson began teaching at Utah State University, where he remained until 2004. Over the course of Peterson's career at Utah State University, he held many positions and served on many committees, among them; History Department Chair, Director of the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies, Executive Secretary of the David W. & Beatrice Cannon Evans Biography Award, and Director of the Perpetuation of Democratic Principles Workshop. Peterson was also involved with the Jenson Historical Farm of Cache Valley. Along with serving as an editor for The Dialogue; a Journal of Mormon Thought (1987-1992), some of Peterson's publications include; Idaho: A Bicentennial History, The Teton Dam Disaster: Tragedy or Triumph, The History of Cache County, and Prophet Without Honor: Glen H. Taylor and the Fight for American Liberalism. In 2004, Peterson became president of Deep Springs College, where he had previously taught several times as a visiting professor.
From the guide to the F. Ross Peterson Papers, 1958-2004, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)
Frank Ross Peterson (1941- ) was born in Montpellier, Idaho. He served for two years as a missionary in the Great Lakes Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1960-1962). Peterson received his PhD in Twentieth Century U.S. history from Washington State University in 1968. He served as an editor for Dialogue: a Journal of Mormon Thought (1987-1992) and is the author of numerous books. Peterson served as a USU history professor for more than 30 years, including stints as head of the History Department and the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies.
From the description of The F. Ross Peterson papers, 1958-2004. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 71999184
