Peter Schwed ’32

Peter, a former editorial chairman and trade books publisher at Simon & Schuster and an author in his own right, died July 31, 2003. He was 92.

Peter began his career at Simon & Schuster in 1945 as an editor. He was named executive editor and a vice president in 1957, was publisher of the trade books division from 1966 to 1972, and retired as chairman emeritus of the editorial board in 1984.

An avid tennis player, he also earned a reputation as an editor of books by well-known sports figures and their ghostwriters. Among them were Jack Nicklaus, Rod Laver, Bill Tilden, Chris Evert, Bjorn Borg, Roger Angell, and Ted Williams.

Peter graduated from the Lawrenceville School. He left Princeton as a junior to work at a bank and help support his family through the Depression. In WWII he served in the Army and saw combat in Europe, earning a Bronze Star. He was discharged as a captain.

After leaving Princeton, Peter worked for 10 years at Provident Loan Society of New York, rising to assistant vice president. The company, which makes loans on jewelry and other valuables, was established by wealthy New Yorkers to help people hurt by the 1892 financial panic. He told of that chapter in his life in his book, God Bless Pawnbrokers.

Peter is survived by his wife of 56 years, Antonia Holding Schwed; two daughters, Katharine H. Wood and Laura S. Schwed; two sons, P. Gregory '73 and and Roger E. '79; and six grandchildren.

The Class of 1932