Ch'en Shou-yi Papers, 1857-1987 and undated

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Title:
Ch'en Shou-yi Papers
Dates:
1857-1987 and undated
Creators:
Chʻen, Shou-yi, 1899-1977
Abstract:
Professor Ch'en Shou-yi (Chinese: 陳受頤, 1899-1978) was a Chinese scholar known for his contribution to the comparative cultural studies of modern China and the historical studies of Sino-Western cultural exchange, and for the role he played in developing Asian Studies at the Claremont Colleges and other institutions along the West Coast of the United States after World War II. He was born in Panyu, Guangdong in 1899 and graduated from Canton Christian College with a BA in 1920, later earning his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1929. Having served as Chair of the History Department of Peking University and as visiting professor at University of Hawaii, Ch'en Shou-yi joined the Pomona College faculty in 1941 and retired in 1967. Throughout his life he maintained close relationships and friendships with Chinese scholars and intellectuals, most notably Hu Shih (胡适), Fu Sinian (傅斯年), Lin Yutang (林語堂), and Chiang Monlin (蔣夢麟). The papers document a wide range of Ch'en Shou-yi's professional career and personal life and include biographical materials, correspondence, photographic and audiovisual materials, research materials, scholarly writings, and teaching materials.
Extent:
42.4 Linear Feet (18 records boxes, 9 document boxes, 2 half-size document boxes, 2 flat boxes, 50 oversize map folders)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: Chinese , English , French , Japanese .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ch'en Shou-yi Papers (H.Mss.0176). Special Collections and Archives, The Claremont Colleges Library, The Claremont Colleges Services, Claremont, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Ch'en Shou-yi Papers span the years 1857-1987 and undated, and include biographical materials, correspondence, photographic and audiovisual materials, research materials, writings, and teaching materials. Materials in the collection document a wide range of Ch'en Shou-yi's professional career and personal life, and include handwritten diaries, biographical and family history materials, professional and personal correspondence, photographic materials related to Canton Christian College and travel in Asia and beyond, publications and academic offprints, research materials including newspaper clippings and magazine excerpts, manuscripts and paper drafts, course syllabi, and instruction materials. Also of interest are a selection of materials related to Chinese diplomat and author Hu Shih including offprints, published articles, newspaper clippings, and audio recordings of lectures and speeches. Please see the scope and contents notes of the individual series and subseries for further description of the contents within.

Biographical / historical:

Ch'en Shou-yi (1899-1978) was born in Panyu, Canton (Guangdong), China. He graduated from Canton Christian College (later Lingnan University) in 1920, joining the faculty following graduation. In 1925, he went to the United States for his graduate studies and received a Ph.D. degree in comparative literature from the University of Chicago in 1929.

He returned to Lingnan University in 1929, where he became a professor and the head of the Chinese literature department. He also co-founded the academic quarterly Lingnan Journal. From 1931 to 1937, Ch'en Shou-yi taught in the history department at Peking University. In 1935, he took a sabbatical leave and came to Pomona College as a visiting professor for one year.

In July 1937, the Lugouqiao Incident (also known as Marco Polo Bridge Incident) broke out, preventing Ch'en Shou-yi from returning to China and he subsequently accepted a faculty position at the Oriental Institute of the University of Hawaii. In 1941, Ch'en Shou-yi returned to Claremont to join the Pomona College faculty and worked as an academic advisor for graduate students at The Claremont Colleges.

During his years in Southern California, Ch'en Shou-yi was dedicated to cultivating research of China's history and cultures among young Americans. Thanks to his effective use of a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, the collections of the Asian Library had been significantly developed and expanded. He also brought many prestigious scholars, Hu Shih included, to Claremont, as part of his effort to expand the curriculum of Asian Studies programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

After retiring from 26 years of teaching at Pomona College, Professor Ch'en continued to visit his office for research daily. Ch'en Shou-yi passed away due to illness in 1978 at the age of 79.

Acquisition information:
Gift of the Ch'en Shou-yi family, 1978.
Processing information:

The bulk of the collection materials were processed by Yuda Li while a Claremont Center for Engagement with Primary Sources (CCEPS) Fellow. Documents were housed in acid-free archival folders and boxes. Oversize materials such as maps and stele rubbings were removed and stored flat in oversize archival boxes or map case drawers. Metal fasteners were removed and replaced with plastic clips or acid-free papers slings. Photographic materials were placed in Mylar sleeves or archival envelopes. In certain cases, notes or documents were removed from notebooks and binders, with covers stored separately. Additional processing information and collection highlights can be read on the Out of Box CCEPS blog.

Arrangement:

This collection has been organized into the following series and subseries:

  • Series 1: Biographical and personal materials, 1911-1978 and undated
  • Subseries 1.1: Ch'en Shou-yi, 1911-1976 and undated
  • Subseries 1.2: Hu Shih, 1922-1978 and undated
  • Series 2: Correspondence, 1926-1987 and undated
  • Series 3: Photographic and audiovisual materials, 1880-1974 and undated
  • Subseries 3.1: Photographic materials, 1880-1974 and undated
  • Subseries 3.2: Audiovisual materials, 1950-1970 and undated
  • Series 4: Research materials and writings, 1857-1980 and undated
  • Subseries 4.1: Maps, 1910-1964 and undated
  • Subseries 4.2: Printed matter and publications, 1871-1980 and undated
  • Subseries 4.3: Research materials and notes, 1857-1976 and undated
  • Subseries 4.4: Writings, 1895-1973 and undated
  • Series 5: Teaching materials, 1910-1978 and undated

File folders are arranged alphabetically by title.

Accruals:

No additions to the collection are anticipated.

Physical location:
Please consult repository.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Yuda Li, Xiuying Zou, and Sean Stanley
Date Prepared:
© 2024
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-12-05 11:02:23 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to reproduce or to publish must be submitted in writing to Special Collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ch'en Shou-yi Papers (H.Mss.0176). Special Collections and Archives, The Claremont Colleges Library, The Claremont Colleges Services, Claremont, California.

Location of this collection:
800 N. Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711, US
Contact:
(909) 607‑3977
specialcollections@claremont.edu
Website