Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Talbot, Roy Maxwell 1880-1963.
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- Six linear feet
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
Roy Maxwell Talbot papers. Sonoma State University Library
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Diaries, printed material, photographs and negatives, personal correspondence, radio script, copies of official papers, ephemeral material, artifacts and miscellaneous records of Roy Maxwell Talbot document his life in China as a Customs Service Agent from 1908-1942. The diaries contain the greatest depth of information. The majority of the photographs are not identified. The collection is contained in 12 boxes that comprises approximately six linear feet of storage space.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Roy Maxwell Talbot (1880 -1963) began his career in the Chinese Maritime Customs in 1908. He served as Commissioner of Customs from 1935 until 1938, when he became Audit Secretary in the Inspectorate General's Office. He was in that position until 1942. He served in Canton, Icheng, Nanking, Shanghai, Harbin, Swatow, Kongmoon, Aigun, Antung, Changsha, Amoy and Kunning. In July, 1932, Talbot was arrested by Japanese officials in Antung, Manchuria for refusing to hand over the Chinese customs revenues. In 1941 he was held in the Bridge House, an infamous dungeon, for 42 days. Talbot's detention by the Japanese created an international incident. Newspapers around the world carried headlines of an arrest of an "American" employed by the Chinese.
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- China -- History -- 1912-1928.
China -- History -- Republic, 1912-1949.
China -- History -- Politics and government -- 1912-1949.
World War, 1914-1918 -- China.
World War, 1939-1945 -- China. - Names:
- Talbot, Roy Maxwell 1880-1963.
- Places:
- Swatow (Canton, China).
Shantou (Guangdong Sheng, China).
Shantou (Guangdong Sheng, China)
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research by appointment.
- Terms of access:
-
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.
- Preferred citation:
-
Roy Maxwell Talbot papers. Sonoma State University Library
- Location of this collection:
-
Special Collections1801 E. Cotati AvenueRohnert Park, CA 94928, US
- Contact:
- (707) 664-4152