1 |
Previous | 1 of 10 | Next |
|
This page
All
Subset
|
The Accounting Historians Journal
Vol. 22, No. 1
June 1995
Wesley T. Andrews, Jr,
ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY
RETROSPECTIVE:
PAUL FRANKLIN GRADY
Abstract: This paper, written by his son-in-law of 37 years, is a collection
of anecdotal "folklore" about a man who had a very significant
impact on the development of the accounting profession during the
"Golden Age of Accounting". Paul Grady's greatness arose from his
enormous dedication, strength and character, coupled with his complete
honesty and relentless ruthlessness in seeking to have his views
prevail.
The only purpose in the paper is to provide a glimpse of the
nature of this truly remarkable person. If the paper fails in this, then
perhaps the reader will at least find the stories mildly amusing.
Paul Franklin Peterson (sic) was born in a log cabin in Creal
Springs, Illinois on May 19, 1900. He was born prematurely,
weighing less than three pounds at birth, and was not expected
to survive. Family tradition has it that, at birth, Paul was
wrapped in a blanket and placed in a shoebox surrounded by
heated bricks from the cabin fireplace. The heat from the bricks
provided warmth and Paul did make it through that first night.
Perhaps this was the initial indication of a fighting spirit and a
will to overcome difficult situations that seems to characterize
many highly successful persons of his era.
When Paul was five, his father, James Peterson, developed
tuberculosis and, for reason of the elder Peterson's health, the
family was compelled to move to Colorado in 1905. Later that
year, James Peterson died and Paul, his mother and younger
brother, Merrill, returned to southern Illinois, settling in the
town of Marion. More than fifty years later, Paul first learned, as
a result of an X-ray examination in connection with an application
for life insurance, that he had, at an early age, also been the
victim of tuberculosis. Apparently, although the trip had failed
to cure the elder Peterson, Paul's undiagnosed case of the lung
disease was unknowingly cured.
The author would like to thank the following persons for their thoughtful
comments on earlier drafts of this paper: Carol Grady Andrews, Professor Mary
Harston, Professor Gary Previts, Professor Charles H. Smith.
Received May 1994
Revised July 1995
Accepted August 1995
