Access
Use
Acquisition Information
Preferred Citation
Biographical Note
Scope and Content of Collection
Title: James B. Webster papers
Date (inclusive): 1894-2003
Collection Number: 70027
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
43 manuscript boxes, 1 card file box, 4 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder, 1 envelope, slides
(22.3 Linear Feet)
Abstract: The papers relate to theology, and to missionary activities and Christian education in China. They are comprised of diaries,
correspondence, notebooks, writings, printed matter, photographs, and memorabilia.
Creator:
Webster, James B. (James Benjamin), 1879-1929
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 1970.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], James B. Webster papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
September 29, 1879 |
Born, Passumpsic, Vermont |
1908-1912 |
Educational missionary in China |
1912 September 25 |
Married Alta Newby in Chinkiang [Zhenjiang], China |
1912-1915 |
Director of pastoral work and lecturer in Chinese and English, Shanghai Baptist College and Seminary |
1915-1917 |
Attended Hartford Seminary Foundation where he received his PhD in Religious Education |
1917-1925 |
Head of Department of Education and professor of Education, Shanghai College |
1924 |
Acting dean, Shanghai College |
1926-1928 |
Associate professor of Education, College of the Pacific, Stockton, California |
1928 |
Completed research study on adolescent interests of Chinese youths |
1929 December 8 |
Died, Stockton, California |
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection documents J. B. Webster's work and life as a Christian missionary in China. The collection includes day books,
correspondence, newspaper articles, writings, and other printed material from Webster's daily life. Webster lived in China
for many years as a teacher and an administrator at Shanghai College. As a missionary and as an employee at the college, Webster
worked to improve the Christian religious education movement, particularly in China, which included completing sociological
studies of Chinese adolescents and writing on effective religious education techniques. The collection contains many examples
of coursework and lesson plans for various classes at Shanghai colleges and other schools. Webster was interested in examining
how sociological factors in the community and culture affected the acceptance and incorporation of religious education. The
professional correspondence in the collection contains letters with fellow missionaries, superiors, coworkers at the Shanghai
college, and students.
Apart from the documents and materials from Webster's professional life, the collection contains material from Webster's own
education and personal life, such as documents from his time at seminary and family correspondence. The collection includes
letters, writings, photographs, and biographical material of Alta Newby Webster, James B. Webster's wife, as well as family
receipts from China, which reveal the day to day existence of the Webster family in China. Additionally, Webster kept diaries
that describe his life and travels in China. A;though Webster died in the United States in 1929, and there is material in
the collection that was created after his death, including correspondence and memorial materials.
The collection includes a significant number of photographs depicting the Webster family and other missionary families in
China, students and instructors at Shanghai College, and scenery from Webster's travels around the country. Also included
are black-and-white photographs taken by Webster that depict revolutionary troops attacking Qing Imperial forces. Webster
had access to the battlefront on land and at sea.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Missions -- China
Missionaries
Education -- China