Robert Ezra McCann papers, circa 1900-1961

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Summary

Creators:
McCann, Robert Ezra, 1901-1961
Abstract:
The papers include correspondence relating to American business interests in China and to the detainment of Robert Ezra McCann, who was arrested in 1951 by Chinese authorities and charged with espionage in 1956. Also included are slides depicting Beijing in the early twentieth century.
Extent:
6 manuscript boxes (2.4 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert Ezra McCann papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Robert Ezra McCann papers document McCann's automotive business in China and responses to his arrest and detainment by Chinese authorities, as well as the effects of changing political conditions on American business in China.

Before his arrest, McCann worked in Tianjin, China, as president of Frazer Federal Inc., USA, an automotive transportation company that imported and exported supplies. The Correspondence consists of letters written by or addressed to employees of Frazer Federal. Many of the letters contain discussions of business matters such as finances, business deals, and the importation and exportation of automotive supplies. However, much of the correspondence concerns McCann's imprisonment in China, including the events leading up to his arrest, his condition after detainment, and possible options to assist him. The correspondents discuss the changes in China occurring as a result of shifting political circumstances and report on what they know of McCann's location and condition, as well as the status of other businessmen in China.

The majority of the letters are addressed to or sent from William Haenisch, who was vice president of Frazer Federal and a principle shareholder. The correspondence filed under William Haenisch's name is inter-company correspondence between Haenisch and the Tianjin (also spelled Tientsin) and Qingdao (also spelled Tsingtao) offices of Frazer Federal. Letters filed under the name of Floyd F. Spielman, who engaged in business with Frazer Federal, consist of correspondence between Spielman and Haenisch.

The only correspondence grouped by subject, instead of by individual or company name, concerns the S.S. Perico, a ship carrying tires that was seized by the Chinese Nationalist Government while en route to Tianjin, China, from Hong Kong.

The collection also includes Photographs of Beijing (labeled Peking), most likely from the early 20th century. This file contains slides taken by Donald Mennie and Hugo J. Wessels, as well as slides used as an educational aid for the North China Christian Rural Service Union.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1901
Born, Chefoo, Shandong Province, China
1922
Graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California
1930s-1951, circa
President, Frazer Federal Inc., USA
1941-1943, circa
Interned by Japan
1943
Repatriated to the United States
1946
Returned to Tianjin, China, to resume work at Frazer Federal
1951 June 14
Arrested by the government of the People's Republic of China (Communist Party of China)
1951-1961
Detained in various prisons in China
1956
Charged with espionage and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment
1961
Petition of Flora McCann (wife) to release McCann from prison accepted
1961 May
Died of lung cancer at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, en route to the United States

Sources:

"Ex-China Captive Dead of Cancer." New York Times. 5 May 1961.

"In Humanitarian Spirit." Time. 14 April 1961.

"Peiping to Free Ill U.S. Prisoner." New York Times 4 April 1961.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1976.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into three series: Correspondence, Miscellany file, and Photographs.

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

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], Robert Ezra McCann 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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