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Title: Lei Zhen papers
Date (inclusive): 1960-1977
Collection Number: 2008C3
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
Chinese
Physical Description:
2 manuscript boxes
(0.8 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Lei Zhen (1897-1979) was a human rights activist, liberal thinker, and vigorous political opponent of Chiang Kai-shek and
Kuomintang rule in post-1949 Taiwan. The collection, consisting of Lei Zhen's memoir, correspondence, and writings dated 1960-1977,
primarily relates to the pro-democracy movement in Taiwan.
Creator:
Lei, Zhen, 1897-1979
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
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.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2008.
[Identification of item], Lei Zhen papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
| 1897 June 25 | Born, Zhejiang province, China, nè Yonglong |
| 1916 | Studied in Japan; entered the Chinese Revolutionary Party (Zhonghua Geming Dang) |
| 1926 | Graduated from Kyoto Imperial University; entered law school to study constitutional law |
| 1928 | Instructor at the Central Military Academy |
| 1929 | Professor of Law at National Central University |
| 1931 | Kuomintang (KMT) Special Municipalities Committee member |
| 1932 | Chairman of the KMT National Congress in Nanjing |
| 1933 | Chief of the Department of Education's General Administrative Affairs Office |
| 1937 | Member of the Military Affairs Commission |
| 1943 | Deputy Secretary General of the People's Political Council |
| 1945 | Appointed by Chiang Kai-shek as Secretary General of the Political Consultant Conference |
| 1946 | Deputy Secretary General of the National Assembly |
| 1947 | Minister without Portfolio |
| 1949 | Launched the first issue of the Free China Journal |
| 1950 | Presidential policy advisor, Central Bank board member |
| 1952 | Secretary General of the Sino-Japanese Cultural and Economic Association |
| 1960 | Sentenced to 10 years in prison by Chiang Kai-shek |
| 1970 September | Released from prison |
| 1979 March 7 | Died, Taipei, Taiwan |
Scope and Content of Collection
Lei Zhen (1897-1979) was a human rights activist, liberal thinker, and vigorous political opponent of Chiang Kai-shek and
Kuomintang rule in post-1949 Taiwan. Acquired by the Hoover Institution in 2007, the collection, consisting of Lei Zhen's
memoir, correspondence, and writings dated 1960-1977, primarily relates to the pro-democracy movement in Taiwan.
Lei Zhen launched the Free China Journal in 1949. Due to the journal's pro-democracy stance and criticism of Chiang Kai-shek,
Lei was arrested for treason on September 4, 1960, and sentenced to ten years in prison. The magazine was subsequently shut
down.
While in prison, Lei wrote a four million character memoir chronicling his life and thoughts on democracy, freedom of speech,
and an open society. However, the memoir and most government records regarding the controversial "Lei Zhen Incident" have
either disappeared or been destroyed.
During the last two years of his life, Lei attempted to reconstruct the memoir. The result was a five chapter, three hundred
thousand character manuscript titled
The Black Book of Forming a New Party (Lei Zhen Huiyi Lu Zhi Xin Dang Yundong Hei Pi Shu) that described Lei's vision for Taiwan's democratization process, constitutional reform, and future prospects.
Included in the collection is a draft of this manuscript and letters to his children and other family members. Portions of
this memoir, as well as family letters were published in 2003. The collection also includes unpublished material such as the
first chapter of the manuscript, and additional correspondence.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Taiwan -- Politics and government -- 1945-1975