Description
The papers of Darril Hudson (1931-2019) document his life and travels with his partner of 35 years, Peter Boesch. The collection
includes detailed personal journals and scrapbooks, personal audiovisual recordings (home movies), writings, photographs and
slides, correspondence, and other papers. Hudson moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Oklahoma as a child. He graduated
from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in International Relations and later earned a master’s degree and
doctorate from the London School of Economics. He served as an officer with the US Army Counter Intelligence and later became
Professor of Political Science at Cal State East Bay. Darril and Peter moved to San Francisco in the 1960s from London. They
traveled extensively throughout their life together, until Boesch’s death in 1995.
Background
As a child, Darril Hudson (1931-2019) and his family left Oklahoma and settled in Oakland, California. Eventually his family
moved to the East Bay suburbs of Walnut Creek and Darril graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree
in International Relations. Later he earned a master’s degree and doctorate from the London School of Economics. Darril also
served as an officer with the US Army Counterintelligence and later became Professor of Political Science at Cal State East
Bay.
During one of his visits to Europe Hudson met his partner Peter Boesch (1938-1995) in London who was working in hotel hospitality.
The two moved to San Francisco in the 1960s and were together for 35 years. Darril and Peter traveled extensively throughout
their life (including annual trips to Germany and France), until Boesch’s death in 1995. The two were avid opera and theater
goers and Hudson actively attended Holy Innocents Episcopal church in San Francisco.
In their later years Hudson and Boesch shared a partner, David Chick (1942-1997) who was originally from New Hampshire and
resided in Santa Rosa until his death. Near the end of his life he learned that he was HIV positive. Chick had a passion for
gardening and the outdoors, paving the way to become a leader in the Redwood Association of Men, (a social club for gay men
in Sonoma County) organizing garden visits throughout the region.
Extent
17 linear feet (12 cartons. 1 medium oversize box)
Restrictions
Copyright to material has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society, with the exception of the book "Until the New Wine
in Heaven." Copyright to the book is retained by the donor. All requests for reproductions and/or permission to publish or
quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist.
Availability
Collection is open for research.