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Ward (Robert Edward) papers
87014  
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Collection Details
 
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  • Access
  • Use
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content of Collection

  • Title: Robert Edward Ward papers
    Date (inclusive): 1942-1987
    Collection Number: 87014
    Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
    Language of Material: In English and Japanese
    Physical Description: 53 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 7 card file boxes, 1 oversize folder (32.5 Linear Feet)
    Abstract: Reports, studies, memoranda, minutes, correspondence, pamphlets, and other printed matter, relating to area studies and foreign language studies in the United States, education to promote international understanding, and American-Japanese cultural relations.
    Creator: Ward, Robert E., 1916-2009
    Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives

    Access

    The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

    Use

    For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Acquisition Information

    Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1987.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Robert Edward Ward papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Biographical Note

    Robert Ward was born in San Francisco in 1916. He earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford in 1936. During World War II, Ward was recruited by the Naval Intelligence Service, attended the Navy Language School in Colorado and became a Japanese translator on General Douglas MacArthur's staff. He received the Legion of Merit award for his service. Following the end of the war, Ward returned to his studies and earned a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley in 1948.
    Dr. Ward joined the faculty of the University of Michigan in 1948, where he taught political science, directed the Center for Japanese Studies, and served terms as President of the American Political Science Association and the Association for Asian Studies. He was also a member of the national council of the National Endowment for the Humanities from 1968-1973.
    Ward accepted a position at Stanford in 1973, where he founded the Center for Research in International Studies, precursor to the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. He served as Director for the Center from 1973-1987. He was also a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution. Ward advocated for International Studies and Education, serving on the Presiden'ts Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies from 1978-1979. He was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Social Science Research Council, and of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission. He was a member of the American Panel of the United States-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON). In 1984 he received the Order of the Sacred Treasure from the government of Japan.
    Ward retired from Stanford in 1987, and died on December 7, 2009.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    The Robert Ward papers is comprised of three series: Committees and Associations, Research Materials, and Subject File.
    The Committees and Associations series contains correspondence, pamphlets, meeting minutes, and reports reflecting Ward's involvement with scholarly associations and his advocacy work for federal funding of International Studies education. Ward held leadership positions in both local and national educational associations and also worked to further connections between the United States and Japan. The files are arranged alphabetically according to association name.
    The Research Materials and Drafts include notes, correspondence, bibliographies, a card file, preliminary drafts of books, and photocopies of original documents relating the political structure of the Japanese government and the United States occupation of Japan post World War II. The series was maintained in original order.
    The Subject File contains reports, pamphlets, clippings, correspondence, and other printed matter relating to area studies and foreign language studies in the United States, education to promote international understanding, and American-Japanese cultural relations. It is arranged into published and unpublished material, then alphabetically by subject.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    International education
    Intellectual cooperation
    Area studies -- United States
    Language and languages -- Study and teaching
    United States -- Relations -- Japan
    Japan -- Relations -- United States
    United States. President's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies
    Japan-United States Friendship Commission