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Webster (James B.) papers
70027  
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Collection Details
 
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  • 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