A Renaissance Man Remembered Professor David Peterson’s bequest establishes Distinguished Thesis Prize in Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Amanda Minix
May 23, 2025

In a time when the humanities are under pressure, the Peterson Prize provides a beacon of light that affirms the cultural importance of humanist thoughts and endeavors as well as recognizes the next generation of well-rounded citizens and thoughtful leaders. – Wan-Chuan Kao, associate professor of English

When David Peterson, professor of history emeritus, died in 2023, he left a bequest to Washington and Lee University’s History Department. The unrestricted gift allowed the department to utilize the funds as it determined would best serve today’s students. After careful consideration, the department decided to use the bequest to establish the David S. Peterson Prize for Distinguished Thesis or Capstone in Medieval and Renaissance Studies to honor both Peterson’s legacy and his contributions to the program as well as celebrate exceptional students and their work.

The Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MRST) program is an interdisciplinary offering at W&L with which Peterson was deeply involved during his service to the university. “We felt this was a fitting way to commemorate David’s many contributions and leadership of the program and to recognize the outstanding work students are producing within it,” said Molly Michelmore, professor of history and department head.

“The David S. Peterson Prize for Distinguished Thesis or Capstone in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, sponsored by the History Department and administered by MRST, continues his important legacy,” said Wan-Chuan Kao, associate professor of English and chair of the MRST program. “In a time when the humanities are under pressure, the Peterson Prize provides a beacon of light that affirms the cultural importance of humanist thoughts and endeavors as well as recognizes the next generation of well-rounded citizens and thoughtful leaders.”

During Peterson’s 21-year career at W&L, he taught courses in European medieval, Renaissance and Reformation history; European medieval and Renaissance church history and political thought; Dante Alighieri and Niccolò Machiavelli. He joined the Washington and Lee faculty as an assistant professor of history in 1999. He was promoted to associate professor in 2002 and to full professor in 2009. Peterson served as chair of the History Department from 2013 – 2017 and also led W&L’s Medieval and Renaissance program from 2003 – 2012. He returned as the program’s acting head from 2013 – 2014, retiring from W&L in 2020.

Characterized as a passionate scholar, Peterson regularly traveled to Florence, Italy, to conduct research focusing on the relationship between religion and politics, church history and political thought, especially in medieval and Renaissance Italy. In addition to leaving a legacy at W&L through the Peterson Prize, Michelmore said the university’s academic community is benefiting from his research records. “We have been working on cataloging microfilm from his research in Florence that will be a resource for future scholars, perhaps allowing our students to do some important archival research without having to leave campus,” she said.

The Sidney Gause Childress Professor in the Arts George Bent worked with Peterson through the MRST program and praised his dedication to teaching and the art of meticulous research. “David epitomized the scholar-teacher model we all try to emulate at W&L. His research on the pivotal role of the early modern Florentine church on the development of Renaissance thought and civic administration broke new ground in his field,” Bent said. “What many might not know about David was his deep loyalty to Washington and Lee University and to his beloved colleagues in the History Department.”

Peterson was good friends with the late Theodore “Ted” DeLaney ’85, professor of history emeritus and namesake for the DeLaney Center. According to his brother, John Peterson, one of the projects David Peterson was most fond of had nothing to do with the Renaissance. After DeLaney was diagnosed with cancer, David Peterson suggested they do a series of interviews featuring DeLaney that is part memoir and part oral history. Born from a breakfast conversation, David Peterson worked diligently on what are now known as the “Ted Talks,” available in the university’s digital archives. David Peterson himself described this project as a departure for him but one of which he was proud. “I hope others will learn something about Ted, W&L, African American concerns and American history,” he said.

“David cherished his time at Washington and Lee,” said his brother, John. “He really felt like he found his professional home, and I think this gift was a gesture to show gratitude for how much his time at W&L enriched his life.”

Echoing gratitude, Michelmore pointed to David Peterson’s lasting legacy at W&L. “I think David would be really proud to know the work he dedicated his life to is continuing at the place he loved by the students he cared for,” she said.