Preferred Citation
Access to Collection
Publication Rights
Scope and Contents
Acquisition Information
Biography
Title: James R. Lilley papers,
Identifier/Call Number: M1849
Contributing Institution:
Dept. of Special Collections & University Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
11.0 Linear feet
(22 manuscript boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1937-2009
Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36-48 hours in advance. For more
information on paging collections, see the department's website: http://library.stanford.edu/spc.
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence, ephemera, newspaper clippings, manuscript drafts and chapter outlines relating to
James Lilley’s book China Hands: Nine Decades of Adventure, Espionage, and Diplomacy in Asia. The rest of the collection consists
of articles written by James Lilley, United States Department of State Diplomatic Cables, interviews of Lilley, business and
personal correspondence (of note are personal letters to, from, and about George Herbert Walker Bush from 1976, 1980, 1993,
and 1999), copies of speeches, photographs, newspaper clippings on a variety of subjects, 16 books (including Lilley’s) relating
to China’s military and to North Korea, audio visual materials which include VHS tapes of several television interviews of
James Lilley, two personal diaries, and photocopies of official United States documents.
Creator:
Lilley, James R.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], James R. Lilley papers (M1849). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University
Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Access to Collection
The materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted
to a digital use copy.
Publication Rights
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
Scope and Contents
Material was separated into two groups: Papers and Media. A folder listing of the Papers has been made and the material has
been re-housed. The Media has been listed individually.
Acquisition Information
This collection was given by Sally Lilley to Stanford University, Special Collections in 2011.
Biography
James Roderick Lilley (1928-2009) was an American diplomat who was the ambassador to China during the time of the Tianamen
Square protests. The youngest of three children, he was born to American parents in China and was educated in American schools
there until he returned to the US in 1940. After graduation from Yale University in 1951, he was employed by the CIA from
1951-1978 and worked in various Asian countries. He served as director of the American Institute in Taiwan from 19981-1984,
Ambassador to South Korea from 1986-1989, and Ambassador to China from 1989-1991. He was Assistant Secretay of Defense from
1991-1993, and upon retirement from government service worked at the American Enterprise Institute. His memoir
China Hands : nine decades of adventure, espionage, and diplomacy in Asia was published in 2004.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bush, George, 1924-
Lilley, Sally Booth
Thomas, Lowell
China--Foreign relations--United States
China--Politics and government--1949-
Diplomats--China--Biography.
Diplomats--United States--Biography.
East Asia--Foreign relations--United States
East Asia--Politics and government--1945-
United States--Foreign relations--China
United States--Foreign relations--East Asia