Scope and Content Note
The papers of Saul Pett (1918-1993) span the years 1940-1993, with the bulk of the material dating from 1960 to 1984 . Pett, a feature writer for Associated Press during much of his career, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for journalism in 1982. As a feature writer, Pett covered personalities and the human interest side of events rather than hard news stories. Pett's papers are organized into four series: Notebooks , Stories File , Miscellany , and Oversize .
The Notebooks series is comprised of small, spiral-bound, pocket-sized notebooks in which Pett recorded story notes. Several bear subject annotation, but the majority do not, and some include unrelated subjects.
Draft and published copies of Pett's features make up the Stories File , and, while not inclusive, they cover all of his career. Stories concern international travels and interviews with notable leaders and citizens. Political leaders regarding whom there are both published stories and interview notes or transcripts include James Abourezk, Jimmy Carter, William T. Coleman, Gerald R. Ford, Hubert H. Humphrey, and Elliot L. Richardson.
The Miscellany contains various subject files and material, including correspondence with well-wishers concerning Pett's Pulitzer Prize, legal documents, and photographs. Correspondence with Wes Gallagher, general manager of Associated Press, sheds light on the internal workings of the organization. Oversize includes a diploma and retirement scrapbook.