Renée Lym Robertson collection, 1890-2014

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Summary

Creators:
Robertson, Renée Lym
Abstract:
Writings, correspondence, photocopies of government documents, printed matter, photographs, and audiovisual material relating to the early history of aviation in China and to American involvement with Chinese aviation prior to World War II. Includes biographical data on the early Chinese American aviator Arthur F. Lym (Lin Fuyuan, Arthur Fook Yuen Lyn), father of Renée Lym Robertson, and on others involved in the early history of Chinese aviation, as well as information relating to the Civil Air Transport and China National Aviation Corporation.
Extent:
10 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 1oversize folder, 1 motion picture film reel (6.1 Linear Feet)
Language:
In English and Chinese
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Renée Lym Robertson collection, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Renee Lym Robertson collection is a diverse assortment of papers, printed matter, clippings, photographs, and audiovisual materials. It includes biographical and family records and research, as well as in-depth research relating to Robertson's father, Arthur Lym (Arthur Fook Yuen Lyn, Lin Fuyuan, Art Lin, Lim Fook Yin). Lym was an aviation pioneer in the United States and China, and a founder of the Canton Air Force during the Second Sino-Japanese war.

The Arthur Lym Research Materials series contains information and research about Lym's career as an aviator starting in 1911. Materials include biographical information, clippings, printed matter, and photographs of Lym dating from 1911 to the 1950s. These materials are from Lym, as well as source research material provided by Robertson. Additional research materials were provided by Patti Gully, Ernest Gann, and Malcolm Rosholt, who had been researching and writing on Chinese aviation and/or Lym.

The Aviation Research Materials series focuses on Chinese and American pilots who flew for the China National Air Corporation (C.N.A.C.) and Civil Air Transport (C.A.T.) during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II, respectively. Materials include association bulletins, printed matter, and letters. This series also includes information pertaining to the Guangdong Aviation Association, which was formed by former aviators, local government officials, and friends and family of the Chinese aviation community, including Robertson.

Biographical / historical:

Renée Lym Robertson (Lum May Yook, Lin Mai Yue) was born in Shanghai, China, in 1928. She first came to the United States in 1939, immigrating through Angel Island, and returned to China after World War II in 1945. Robertson permanently moved back to the United States in 1982.

Robertson was actively involved in the aviation community all of her life and helped form the Guangdong Aviation Association in the 1980s, where she served as Vice-President. She was instrumental in providing resources for various Chinese aviation exhibits in Hong Kong, Seattle, San Diego, and San Francisco. Robertson passed away in 2015.

Date Event
1890 December 27
Born, San Francisco, California
1906
After the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco, moved to Oakland with sister and brother-in-law, Wong Yow
1911
Managed the Chinatown newspaper Chinese World (Sai Gai Yat Po)
1913
Took flying lessons in San Diego with Glenn Curtiss
Received aviation license number 245 from the Aero Club of America
1914
Offered army commission by Chinese President Yuan Shi-kai and sailed to China
Returned to United States to purchase Curtiss aircraft for the Chinese government
1916
Organized Canton Air Force with childhood friend Tom Gunn
1920
Lead first ever aerial bombing raid on the city of Canton, targeting Kwangsi invaders
1925 December
Married San Francisco native Sarah Chuck Siu Lau in Shanghai
1916
Launched aerial assault on Hainan Island, recapturing the area for Guangdong
1928
Appointed Colonel-in-Charge of the National Aviation Bureau; established aerial photography section
1929
Headed the National Aviation Maintenance Service Division and the National Technical Aviation Division
1932
Appointed Chief-of-Staff of the Canton Air Force
1937
Appointed chief of Shaoguan aircraft factory as Japan invaded China
1943-1945
Coordinated the transport of strategic war materials into China via the Burma road and "the Hump"
1962
Died of heart failure in Hong Kong at age 72, buried in Oakland's Mountain View Cemetery
1940
Traveled to the United States and South America, fundraising on behalf of the Chinese government to purchase airplanes for the war and raising more than five million dollars
1938
Moved Shaoguan aircraft factory and staff to the safety of China's interior

Source: Patti Gully, Arthur Lym Research Materials, Renée Lym Robertson collection, Box 3, Folders 2-3, Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Acquisition information:
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2015.
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], Renée Lym Robertson collection, [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