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Title: Sheldon H. Harris Papers
Dates: 1942-2002
Collection number: 2004C40
Creator:
Harris, Sheldon H.
Collection Size:
53 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes.
(22 linear feet)
Repository:
Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Abstract: Writings, correspondence, photocopies of government documents, photographs, sound recordings, video tapes, and printed matter,
of an American historian relating mainly to biological warfare, especially as conducted by Japan in China before and during
World War II. Includes research material used in the preparation of the book by S. H. Harris,
Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the
American Cover-up (London, 1994).
Physical location: Hoover Institution Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
The Hoover Institution Archives only allows access to
copies of audiovisual items. To listen to sound recordings or to view videos or films during your visit, please contact the Archives
at least two working days before your arrival. We will then advise you of the accessibility of the material you wish to see
or hear. Please note that not all audiovisual material is immediately accessible.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives.
[Identification of item], Sheldon H. Harris Papers, [Box no.], Hoover Institution
Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 2004
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. To determine if this has occurred, find
the collection in Stanford University's online catalog Socrates at
http://library.stanford.edu/webcat . Materials have been added to the collection if the number of boxes listed in Socrates is larger than the number of boxes
listed in this finding aid.
| 1928 August 22 | Born, Brooklyn, New York |
| 1949 | A.B. (cum laude), Brooklyn College (now Brooklyn College of the City University of New York) |
| 1950 | A.M., Harvard University |
| 1955 | Married Sheila J. Black |
| 1957-1958 | Instructor in history, Brooklyn College (now Brooklyn College of the City University of New York) |
| 1958 | Ph.D., Columbia University, New York |
| 1958-1963 | Associate professor of social science, Bradford Durfee College of Technology (now Southeastern Massachusetts University), Bradford, Massachusetts |
| 1962 | Recipient, Roger Benjamin Foundation Award |
| 1963-1964 | Recipient, American Council of Learned Societies research grant |
| 1963-1966 | Assistant professor, California State University, Northridge |
| 1966 | Visiting professor, University of California, Los Angeles |
| 1966-1969 | Associate professor, California State University, Northridge |
| 1969-1991 | Professor of history, California State University, Northridge |
| 1971 | Recipient, American Philosophical Society grant for research in England |
| 1972 | Author, Paul Cuffe: Black America and the African Return |
| Author, President Johnson's Decision to Intervene in Vietnam | |
| 1973 | Author, Prohibition |
| 1979 | Author, Blue's Who's Who: A Biographical Dictionary of Blues Singers |
| 1986 | Author, I Remember: Eighty Years of Black Entertainment, Big Bands, and the Blues: An Autography |
| 1994 | Author, Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the American Cover-Up |
| 1996 | Author, Writers Directory |
| 2002 August 31 | Died, Los Angeles, California |
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers of Sheldon Harris consist of correspondence; photocopies of government documents; photographs; printed matter;
sound recordings; video tapes; and writings relating mainly to biological warfare, especially as conducted by Japan in China
before and during World War II. They include research materials used in the preparation of the book,
Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the
American Cover-Up.
Sheldon Harris was one of the researchers responsible for bringing to light the facts of Japan's war crimes against humanity.
The materials draw attention to atrocities committed by Japan in China between 1931 and 1945. They shed light on experiments
carried out by the scientists and doctors of Unit 731 of the Japanese army by exposing human subjects to poisonous gases and
infectious diseases. They also raise some controversial issues, such as an alleged immunity deal and possible cover-up between
American and Japanese scientists, the question of reparation to the victims, and Japan's responsibility.
An acknowledgement of Japan's experiments with biological weapons and their use against the Chinese people came from a Japanese
court shortly before Harris's death.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Biological warfare.
Sino-Japanese Conflict, 1937-1945--Biological warfare.
World War, 1939-1945--Biological warfare.
World War, 1939-1945--Japan.
United States--Military relations--Japan.
Japan--Military relations--United States.
Video tapes.
Phonotapes.