Scope and Content Note
Series I through Series VII of the Peter Lawford Papers contain biographical material, family and professional correspondence, film and television contracts, production records, business and financial records, scripts, magazine articles, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, and memorabilia documenting Lawford's career in show business.
The majority of images in Series VIII: Photographs were generated by Lawford's career in the entertainment industry. Also included are a substantial number of photographs documenting Lawford's relationship with the Kennedy family. Most of the photographs are 8" x 10" black and white silver gelatin prints that were taken on the sets of films that Lawford worked on. Photographs showing the Kennedy family are primarily 8" x 10" black and white photographs used for press releases and public relations. Very few negatives and personal photographs are present.
Dates
- Creation: 1931-1985
Language of Materials
Material in English
Access Restrictions
To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.
Copyright
Arizona State University does not own the copyright to this collection. We recognize that it is incumbent upon the researcher to procure permission to publish information from this collection from the owner of the copyright.
Biographical Note
Peter Lawford was born to Sir Sidney and Lady May Lawford in London, England on September 7, 1923. He moved with his family from England to France, Hawaii, Ceylon, Nassau, and Florida before he went to Hollywood. Here, he completed three films in two years and went on to secure a twelve-year contract with MGM. He also acted on television in such shows as The Thin Man and was a member of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack
until he and Sinatra fell out over political issues in the 1960s. His many prominent acquaintances included Elizabeth Taylor, Lana Turner, Marilyn Monroe, the Kennedy family, and Nancy (Davis) Reagan. Lawford was married four times: to Patricia Kennedy (1954-1966), to Mary Rowan (1971-1975), to Deborah Gould (1976-1977), and finally to Patricia Seaton (1984). He had four children with his first wife, Christopher, Sydney Maleia Kennedy, Victoria Francis, and Robin Elizabeth. Peter Lawford died in Los Angeles on December 24, 1984.
Full extent
77 Box(es)
Full extent
64.54 Linear Feet
Abstract
The Peter Lawford Papers contain biographical material, family and professional correspondence, film and television contracts, production records, business and financial records, scripts, magazine articles, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, and memorabilia documenting Lawford's career in show business.
Arrangement
This collection contains seventy-seven boxes divided into eight series:
- Series I: Correspondence, Professional Papers, Personal Papers, and Legal Papers
- Series II: Financial Records
- Series III: Scripts and Screenplays
- Series IV: Periodicals
- Series V: Audio-Visual Materials
- Series VI: Personal Artifacts
- Series VII: Oversize
- Series VIII: Photographs
Other Finding Aids
Six appendices describing this collection in greater detail are available:
- Appendix I: Itemized Listing of Photographs According to Film and Format
- Appendix II: Motion Picture Abstracts of Films Cited in the Photographic Listing
- Appendix III: Peter Lawford's Motion Picture Credits
- Appendix IV: Bibliography [Photographs]
- Appendix V: Photo Index
- Appendix VI: Lawford Biography (LA-1; LA-3) Photograph Credits/Location in Collection
Contact Archives and Special Collections for additional information about these items.
Provenance
Patricia Seaton Lawford donated these papers to Special Collections in 1985 and 1988 (Accession #2003-02751, 2003-02829, 2003-02861, 2003-03040, 2003-03060, and 2003-02964).
- Title
- Peter Lawford Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Karen Bachmon, Library Assistant IV; Carol Moore, Library Specialist; and Megan McShane, Library Aide.
- Date
- 2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding guide encoded in English.
Repository details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact
Arizona State UniversityP.O. Box 871006
Tempe AZ 85287-1006 United States
(480) 965-4932
archives@asu.edu