Chen Lifu Papers, 1926-1989, bulk 1926-1951

Summary Information

Abstract

The Chen Lifu papers (陳立夫檔案) mainly document his involvement in Chinese politics during the Republican era, dating from 1926 to 1989, with the bulk dates from 1926 to 1951. The papers consist of correspondence, portrait, meeting documents, reports, plans, speeches, writings, memoir, and printed materials. The papers focus on Chen Lifu's political career as the Head of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Minister of Education, as well as his general involvement in politics dating from 1926 to 1949.

Description

Scope and Contents

The Chen Lifu papers (陳立夫檔案) consist of incoming correspondence and portrait, meeting records and policy plans as well as documents of the KMT Central Committee, People's Political Council, and National Assembly relating to his role as the Minister of Education during the Sino-Japanese War, as well as speeches and writings, and printed materials, dating from 1926 to 1989 with the bulk dating from 1926 to 1951. There are also investigative reports about activities during the Northern Expedition, reports about the assassination of Wang Jingwei (汪精衛), and the crime of Ding Mocun (丁默邨) and Li Shiqun (李士群) during the time when he was the Head of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in 4 series.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Chen Lifu papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Material

Chinese oral history project collection, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University. Finding Aid. This collection contains administrative information related to the project, including the interviewee files relating to Chen Lifu's interviews.

Reminiscences of Li-fu Ch'en, 陳立夫口述回憶錄. Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University.

Chen Lifu typescript: The storm clouds clear over China: the memoir of Chen Li-fu, 1900-1993. Hoover Institution Archives. Finding aid.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Given to the Chinese oral history project in 1968 during interviews with Chen Lifu. Transfer from the East Asian Institute in 1980.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Separated from the Chinese oral history project collection due to the papers' historical and research value and to allow better discovery and access. Processed in September 2018 by Yingwen Huang.

Revision Description

2018-09-30 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical/Historical

Chen Lifu (pinyin: Chen, Lifu; Wade-Giles: Ch'en, Li-Fu; traditional Chinese: 陳立夫; simplified Chinese: 陈立夫; original name: Zuyan祖燕; courtesy name: Lifu 立夫; other names: Li Rongqing, 李融清, Gu Junming, 辜君明) was born in Zhejiang province, 1900. He received his master degree in mining engineering from the University of Pittsburg in 1925. After returning to China in the same year, he and his older brother, Chen Guofu (陳果夫) held important positions in the KMT under Chiang Kai-shek, who was the sworn blood brother of Chen Lifu's uncle, Chen Qimei (陳其美). In 1926, Chen was Chiang Kai-shek's confidential secretary (機要秘書). In 1928, he was promoted to be the Head of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (中央執行委員會調查統計局, also known as Zhongtongju, 中統局). From 1938 to 1944, he was the Minister of Education (教育部长) during the Sino-Japanese War and was responsible for the relocation of the major universities in war-torn regions of China as well as advocating for funds and supports in higher education. In addition, Chen Lifu and his older brother were also the figures of the Central Club Clique (also known as the CC Clique; Chinese: CC派 or 中央俱樂部組織), a powerful political faction within the KMT, which was known to represent traditionalist, anti-communist, and anti-Japanese. In 1949, Chen left China for Taiwan and later moved to the U. S. in 1951. In 1966, he returned to Taiwan and lived there until his death in 2001, at the age of 101.

Subject Headings

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