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Title: Sheldon H. Harris papers
Date (inclusive): 1942-2002
Collection Number: 2004C40
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
53 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 2 videocassette boxes, 9 sound cassettes, 1 oversize folder, digital media
(22.0 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Writings, correspondence, photocopies of government documents, photographs, sound recordings, video tapes, and printed matter,
of an American historian relating mainly to biological warfare, especially as conducted by Japan in China before and during
World War II. Includes research material used in the preparation of the book by S. H. Harris,
Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the
American Cover-up (London, 1994).
Creator:
Harris, Sheldon H.
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 2004
[Identification of item], Sheldon H. Harris Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
| 1928 August 22 | Born, Brooklyn, New York |
| 1949 | A.B. (cum laude), Brooklyn College (now Brooklyn College of the City University of New York) |
| 1950 | A.M., Harvard University |
| 1955 | Married Sheila J. Black |
| 1957-1958 | Instructor in history, Brooklyn College (now Brooklyn College of the City University of New York) |
| 1958 | Ph.D., Columbia University, New York |
| 1958-1963 | Associate professor of social science, Bradford Durfee College of Technology (now Southeastern Massachusetts University), Bradford, Massachusetts |
| 1962 | Recipient, Roger Benjamin Foundation Award |
| 1963-1964 | Recipient, American Council of Learned Societies research grant |
| 1963-1966 | Assistant professor, California State University, Northridge |
| 1966 | Visiting professor, University of California, Los Angeles |
| 1966-1969 | Associate professor, California State University, Northridge |
| 1969-1991 | Professor of history, California State University, Northridge |
| 1971 | Recipient, American Philosophical Society grant for research in England |
| 1972 | Author, <emph render="italic">President Johnson's Decision to Intervene in Vietnam</emph> |
| Author, <emph render="italic">Paul Cuffe: Black America and the African Return</emph> | |
| 1973 | Author, Prohibition |
| 1979 | Author, Blue's Who's Who: A Biographical Dictionary of Blues Singers |
| 1986 | Author, I Remember: Eighty Years of Black Entertainment, Big Bands, and the Blues: An Autography |
| 1994 | Author, Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the American Cover-Up |
| 1996 | Author, Writers Directory |
| 2002 August 31 | Died, Los Angeles, California |
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers of Sheldon Harris consist of correspondence; photocopies of government documents; photographs; printed matter;
sound recordings; video tapes; and writings relating mainly to biological warfare, especially as conducted by Japan in China
before and during World War II. They include research materials used in the preparation of the book,
Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the
American Cover-Up.
Sheldon Harris was one of the researchers responsible for bringing to light the facts of Japan's war crimes against humanity.
The materials draw attention to atrocities committed by Japan in China between 1931 and 1945. They shed light on experiments
carried out by the scientists and doctors of Unit 731 of the Japanese army by exposing human subjects to poisonous gases and
infectious diseases. They also raise some controversial issues, such as an alleged immunity deal and possible cover-up between
American and Japanese scientists, the question of reparation to the victims, and Japan's responsibility.
An acknowledgement of Japan's experiments with biological weapons and their use against the Chinese people came from a Japanese
court shortly before Harris's death.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1939-1945 -- Japan
Audiotapes
Video tapes
Biological warfare
United States -- Military relations -- Japan
Japan -- Military relations -- United States
Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945 -- Biological warfare
World War, 1939-1945 -- Biological warfare