Description
Professor Ch'en Shou-yi (Chinese: 陳受頤, 1899-1978) was a Chinese scholar known for his groundbreaking contribution to the comparative
cultural studies of modern China and the historical studies of Sino- western cultural exchange. He was born into a prestigious
literati family in Panyu, Canton (Guangdong). Ch'en Shou-yi graduated from the Canton Christian College (later Lingnan University)
in 1920.
In 1929 he received a Ph.D. degree in comparative literature from the University of Chicago. He served as the Chair of the
History
Department of the Peking University from 1931-1937. He was a highly acclaimed scholar, developed close ties with prestigious
scholars of the time such as Hu Shih (胡适)Fu Sinian (傅斯年) Lin Yutang (林語堂), and Chiang Monlin (蔣夢麟), and maintained life-long
friendships with them. In 1941 he joined the Pomona College faculty as a full-time professor and remained on that post until
his retirement in 1967. After he passed away in 1978, his family donated his correspondence, photos, private library collections,
work notes, manuscripts, and more to the Claremont Colleges. The collection consists of Prof. Ch'en's following professional
and personal correspondence from the 1930s-1970s: photos, including those of family and friends; Personal documents including
employment letters from Peking University; Lingnan University-related documents, including photos, exams, and reading notes;
memoranda and reports pertaining to Pomona Colleges administrative and department matters; personal library of Chinese manuscripts,
ephemera, and photos from the 18th to early 20th century.
Extent
29 boxes.
9 document boxes located in Special Collections;
20 records boxes located in Asian Library.
Professional and personal correspondence, 1930s-1970s; Photos, including those of family and friends; Personal documents including
employment letters from Peking University; Lingnan University related documents, including photos, exams, reading notes; memoranda
and reports pertaining to Pomona Colleges administrative and department matters; personal library of Chinese manuscripts,
ephemera, and photos from the 18th to early 20th century.