AIDS activist Jesse Peel donated his papers to Emory University’s Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library, officials said Friday.

Peel, a retired psychiatrist, provided the library with journals, appointment books, subject files, correspondence and photographs. The collection includes more than 80 audio tapes he sent his mom while serving in Vietnam.

The collection demonstrates “the power of courageous inquiry and collective action to benefit the lives and health of so many,” library director Rosemary Magee said.

Peel said he chose Emory because of the library’s dedication “to preserving Atlanta’s history and its desire to include gay and lesbian history.”

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Members of the conversion crew take a break as the main scoreboard is lowered to the floor to be worked on as the arena gets ready for the next concert at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Atlanta. The crew was working on creating a stage for the Friday, Oct. 3 Maxwell concert. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com