O. Edmund Clubb papers, 1940-1988

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Summary

Creators:
Clubb, O. Edmund (Oliver Edmund), 1901-1989
Abstract:
Speeches and writings, correspondence, notes, loyalty- security board hearing transcripts, conference papers and agenda, and printed matter, relating to Sino-American relations; the post- World War II loyalty-security program in the Department of State; various aspects of Chinese history and politics, especially in the twentieth century; and American policy during the Vietnamese War.
Extent:
25 manuscript boxes, 10 card file boxes (12.3 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], O. Edmund Clubb Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

Received at the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1993, the O. Edmund Clubb Papers consist primarily of writings, correspondence, and research materials relating to Clubb's lifelong interest in the politics and history of China. From the time of his experience as Foreign Service officer in China, Clubb wrote extensively on issues of China policy, and in particular Sino-American relations. Having been a "China Hand," Clubb had been a direct witness to the Chinese civil war and was critical of unconditional American support for the forces of Chiang Kai-shek in this conflict. Clubb's position would later bring him difficulties in terms of his career in the State Department.

During the McCarthy period, Clubb faced accusations of "disloyalty" and was suspended from his policy position within the State Department (a transcript of Clubb's hearing before the Loyalty Security Board can be found in the Biographical File). Although he was later vindicated on the appeal of his suspension, he resigned from the Foreign Service and pursued a career as a writer and academic, concentrating again on issues relating to China. His writings reflect a consistent viewpoint challenging American foreign policy during the Cold War, and he emerged as an early critic of the American intervention in Vietnam.

In presenting Clubb's scholarly and journalistic publications in one place, the collection affords researchers the opportunity to trace the development of Clubb's thinking on issues of foreign policy and Chinese politics. The correspondence also reveals Clubb's relations with other China scholars and his role as a foreign policy adviser to several prominent American politicians.

Biographical / historical:

American diplomat and political scientist; consul general, Peking, China, 1947-1950; director, Office of Chinese Affairs, Department of State, 1950-1952

Date Event
1901 February 16
Born, South Park, Minnesota
1927
Receives bachelor's degree, University of Minnesota
1928-1952
Foreign service officer, U.S. Department of State, including term as Consul General, Beijing
1951
Faces charges of "disloyalty" during McCarthy period and is suspended from the China desk of the State Department
1952
Suspension is overturned on appeal by Clubb, who nonetheless resigns from the State Department
1959-1966
Visiting lecturer at Columbia University, Brooklyn College, New York University, the New School for Social Research, and Cornell University
1964
Author, 20th Century China
1971
Author, China and Russia: The 'Great Game'
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1993.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], O. Edmund Clubb Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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