Li, Zongren papers, 1944-1951
Collection context
- Creator:
- Li, Zongren, 1891-1969 and Gan, Jiehou, 1897-1984
- Abstract:
- The Li Zongren papers consist of materials on the life and political career of Li Zongren dating from 1944-1951. The materials were given to the Chinese oral history project during the oral history interview with Li Zongren. The papers primarily documented the period when Li was the Acting President of the Republic of China from 1949 to 1951 in the U.S. urging for assistance to stabilize the internal conflicts in China.
- Extent:
- 0.4 Linear Feet (1 box)
- Language:
- English , Chinese .
- Scope and content:
-
The Li Zongren papers consist of correspondence, a codebook, and documents from 1944 to 1951 in English, photographs and portraits. The correspondence from/to Li Zongren and his personal secretary, Gan Jiehou (Kan, Chieh-Hou, 甘介侯) and the related documents focus on the 1949 to 1951 transition period, Li's effort in urging US assistance in the political situation within China, as well as his opposition to Chiang Kai-shek. Correspondents include Dean Acheson, Philip C. Jessup, George C. Marshall, Dean Rusk, and Stuart Symington. Another highlight of the papers is the one-of-a-kind Chinese codebook customized and utilized by the KMT for confidential communication.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Li Zongren (pinyin: Li, Zongren; Wade-Giles: Li, Tsung-jen; Chinese: 李宗仁; courtesy name: Delin 德鄰) was born in Guilin, Guangxi province, 1890. He was a Guangxi warlord and participated in the Northern Expedition, Sino-Japanese War, and the Chinese Civil War. He became the Vice-President in 1948 and later the Acting President of the Republic of China in 1949. He left China and moved to the US in 1950. In 1965, he decided to return to China with his wife Guo Dejie, where he died in 1969.
Gan Jiehou (pinyin: Gan, Jiehou; Wade Giles: Kan, Chieh-Hou; Chinese: 甘介侯) was born in Jiangsu, 1897. He graduated from Harvard University, 1926. He was a politician and a scholar. He came to the U.S. as Li Zongren's private secretariat representative and arranged Li's meetings with American officials during the transition period. He died in New York, 1984.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
- Terms of access:
-
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); Zongren Li papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu