Leonard (Royal) papers, 1926-2010, 2025

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Summary

Title:
Royal Leonard papers
Dates:
1926-2010, 2025
Creators:
Martin, Barry S.
Abstract:
Captain Royal Leonard (1905-1962) was a pioneering American commercial and private pilot and aviator and served as the personal pilot for Chinese leaders Zhang Xueliang and later Chiang Kai-shek. The collection contains Leonard's correspondence, telegrams, and writings, as compiled by Barry Martin, author of The Forgotten Aviator: The Adventures of Royal Leonard.
Extent:
4 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box (2.6 Linear Feet)
Language:
In English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Royal Leonard papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains thirty letters written by aviator Royal Leonard to his family during the 1920s and 1930s, detailing his experiences and travels. It also includes a typewritten summary of a trip Leonard made to Washington, D.C., where he met with U.S. Army Air Force generals. Additional materials include correspondence related to his disputes with the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) and telegrams sent during the 1934 London-Melbourne Air Race. These materials were gathered by Leonard's biographer, Barry Martin, author of The Forgotten Aviator: The Adventures of Royal Leonard.

Biographical / historical:

Captain Royal Leonard (1905-1962); pioneering American commercial and private pilot and aviator; served as the personal pilot for Chinese leaders Zhang Xueliang and later Chiang Kai-shek.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2024.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Sarah Ainsworth
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-03-13 15:46:41.280429

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], Royal Leonard 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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