Frank F. Chuman Papers, ca. 1900-ca. 1993

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Summary

Creators:
Chuman, Frank F., 1917-
Abstract:
Chuman, a Nisei, was born in California in 1917. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (1938) and the University of Maryland Law School (1945). He was the administrator at the Manzanar Camp hospital from 1942-43. He later was legal counsel for the National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) from 1953-60 and served as its national president from 1960-62. He became a liaison to the Japanese American Research Project (JARP) in 1962 and published a book titled, The Bamboo People: The Law and Japanese Americans (c. 1976). The collection consists of correspondence, research notes, proofs, office files, and photographs related to the life and research of Frank F. Chuman. Also includes photographs of Manzanar Relocation Center in California and office files related to redress for Japanese American internees. Other files contain materials related to Chuman's role as legal advisor to Little Tokyo Towers and the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project. Portions of this collection are in Japanese.
Extent:
156 boxes (78 linear ft.) 10 cartons (10 linear ft.) 10 oversize boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of correspondence, research notes, proofs, office files, and photographs related to the life and research of Frank F. Chuman. Includes files related to Chuman's legal practice and research materials for his book titled, The Bamboo People (ca. 1976). Also includes photographs of Manzanar Relocation Center in California and office files and legal briefs related to redress for Japanese American internees. Other files contain materials related to Chuman's role as President of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and as legal advisor to Little Tokyo Towers and the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project. Collection also contains various publications, including Nanka Bungei and miscellaneous newspaper clippings.

Portions of this collection are in Japanese.

Biographical / historical:

Chuman, a Nisei, was born in California in 1917; graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (1938) and the University of Maryland Law School (1945); administrator, Manzanar Camp hospital, 1942-43; legal counsel for the National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), 1953-60; national president, JACL, 1960-62; became a liaison to the Japanese American Research Project (JARP) in 1962; published a book titled, The Bamboo People: The Law and Japanese Americans (ca. 1976).

Acquisition information:
Gift of Frank F. Chuman, 1976-.
Arrangement:

The Frank F. Chuman Papers are found in Boxes 520-567, 620-715, 718, 762-764, 767, 784 and 810-835 of the Japanese American Research Project Collection of Material about Japanese in the United States (Collection 2010).

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Correspondence and other materials related to the Japanese American Research Project (JARP), 1960-75 (Boxes 520-524, 550).
  2. Research materials for Chuman's legal history of the Japanese in America, The Bamboo People (Boxes 525-541, 551-553, 762).
  3. Manuscript drafts of The Bamboo People (Boxes 542-543, 554-556, 762).
  4. Materials related to the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and legislation (Boxes 544-549, 556, 718, 763, 764).
  5. Materials related to the Manzanar Camp (Box 718).
  6. Files from Mr. Chuman's legal practice consisting mostly of material relating to service as legal advisor to the Japanese Consulate General and Little Tokyo Towers (Boxes 557-558).
  7. Business files related to Chuman as President of Asiamerica Inc. and member of the Board of Founders Savings and Loan Association (Boxes 559-561).
  8. Family papers, photographs and slides (Boxes 562-566, 620, 767, 710).
  9. Miscellaneous (Boxes 567, 621-715, 718, 767, 784, 810-835).

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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