Collection

Kreidler, William J. Papers

Span Dates: 1966-2002
Bulk Dates:
Volume: 3 linear feet

Description

This collection contains documents relating to the life and work of queer Quaker activist William "Bill" Kreidler. The documents span around three decades (1970s-2000s) and include both personal and professional materials such as correspondence, journal entries, newspaper clippings, manuscripts and typescripts, workshop materials, audiovisual recordings, publications and publishing documentation, teaching evaluations, curriculum development materials, and speech transcripts. Several documents in the collection focus on Kreidler's work in conflict resolution and nonviolence education, particularly his development of the "Peaceable Kingdom" framework and related teaching materials. There are many materials relating to his workshops on forgiveness and prayer. This collection also contains Kreidler's many writings, such as manuscripts and drafts of articles for LGBTQ+ publications, both under his own name and the pseudonym "Will James," along with editorial notes and rejection letters for children's books he sought to publish.

Hist/Bio Note

William "Bill" Kreidler (1952-2000) was a teacher, writer, and activist whose work spanned education, nonviolence, conflict resolution, and LGBTQ+ advocacy from the 1970s to early 2000s. Employed as a Boston schoolteacher in midst of desegregation, he developed an expertise on conflict resolution in the classroom. He published several successful books on the topic, and worked as staff of Educators for Social Responsibility. He also wrote numerous articles for local and national LGBTQ+ publications (under his own name and the pseudonym "Will James") and participated in events such as the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Kreidler was an active Quaker, a founding member of Beacon Hill Friends Meeting, and clerked Friends for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (FLGC) as well as the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of New England Yearly Meeting. He delivered keynote addresses at Quaker conferences, and developed and led workshops on forgiveness and prayer. He died in 2000 of AIDS-related complications in the home he shared with his partner, David Aronstein.

Finding Aid

An online finding aid is available.
https://findingaids.library.upenn.edu/records/swarthmore_SFHL.RG5.357

Location

Friends Historical Library McCabe Library, First Floor Swarthmore College 500 College Avenue Swarthmore, PA 19081
https://www.swarthmore.edu/friends-historical-library

Tags

Friends/Quakers | Author/editor | Boston | Clergy Activist | Massachusetts