Him Mark Lai (1925-2009) was a writer, historian, and archivist of Chinese America. This collections primarily consists of his own family history, particularly that of the Mark/Mai clan, and his parents’ immigration to California.

Him Mark Lai (1925-2009) was the eldest child of parents who immigrated to America during the period of Chinese Exclusion. He was a scholar and activist in the area of Chinese America, the “Dean of Chinese American history”, whose involvement in teaching established much of the groundwork for which the topic would be understood and the way in which further research would occur. Lai studied engineering in college and worked in the field at Bechtel Power Corporation for 30 years, but he also had a lifelong interest in history, dedicating work and service to the Chinese-American community.

4 Linear Feet (5 boxes, one oversize folder)

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