H. H. Kung papers, 1936-1958, bulk 1936-1944

Summary Information

Abstract

The H. H. Kung papers document Dr. Kung's political career from 1936 to 1944. The bulk of the papers consist of correspondence and political documents during the time when he was serving as the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank of China, and the Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan. Materials in the collection include correspondence, writings, speeches, documents, reports, and telegrams relating to the Xi'an Incident, Sino-Japanese War, financial situation in China during the war year, his involvement in foreign diplomacy, Executive Yuan, the KMT Central committee, etc.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Arranged in original order.

• H. H. Kung papers, 1936-1958

Description

Content Description

The H. H. Kung papers contain an estimate of 21 items in paper format and 10 reels of microfilms in 2 manuscript boxes consist of correspondence, political documents, and chronological event records. The items in paper format consist of correspondence, reports, poems, documents related to various topics such as the Xi'an Incident, agricultural development in China, Sino-Japanese War, loan agreements, and financial matters, etc. Materials in microfilm are correspondence and files relating to the Xi'an Incident, documents on foreign diplomacy, Executive Yuan, KMT Central Standing Committee meeting and plenums, intelligence reports, correspondence and documents relating to the developments in some province such as Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, Gansu, Qinghai, and Ningxia. There are also seven reels of chronological records of events prepared by the Ministry of Finance documenting the events of H. H. Kung when he was the Premier and the Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan during the Sino-Japanese War, dating from 1938 to 1943.

• H. H. Kung papers, 1936-1958

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Other Finding Aids

H. H. Kung papers, 1917-1949, Hoover Institution Archives. Finding aid.

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

Single photocopies 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); H.H. Kung 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 H. H. Kung's interviews.

Reminiscences of H. H. Kung, 孔祥熙口述回憶錄.

H. H. Kung papers, 1917-1949, 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 by H. H. Kung between 1958 and 1961 during interview with Julie How. Materials later microfilmed with Dr. Kung's permission. Transfer from the East Asian InstituteChinese oral history project collection 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.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical/Historical

H. H. Kung (pinyin: Kong, Xiangxi; Wade-Giles: Kung, Hsiang-hsi, Kung, H. H.; Chinese: 孔祥熙; courtesy name: Yongzhi, 庸之) was born in Shanxi province, 1881. He was a banker and a politician in the early 20th century. He received his B.A from Oberlin College in 1906 and his master's degree in economics from Yale University in 1907. After returning to China, he supported Yan Xishan (閻錫山) to overthrow the Qing imperial government in Shanxi. He married Soong Ailing in 1914. In 1928, he served as the Minister of Industry and Commerce and then later elected to the KMT Central Executive Committee and served from 1929 to 1932. He later served as the commissioner to Europe and assigned to secure foreign aid for China. After returning to China in 1933, he served as the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank of China, and the Vice Premier (and Premier from 1938 to 1939) of the Executive Yuan until 1945. In 1944, he resigned from his positions. He later moved to New York in 1948, where he resided till his death in 1967.