C. Martin Wilbur papers, 1950-1992

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in 11 series, with 3 additions.

• Series I: Correspondence with Non-Columbia Persons and Organizations
• Subseries 1.1
• Subseries 1.2
• Subseries 1.3
• Subseries 1.4
• Series II: Subject Files Columbia University
• Subseries II.1: East Asian Institute, 1948-1980
• Subseries II.2: Teaching and Relations with Students
• Series III: Bibliographic and translation project on Chinese Communism
• Series IV: Translations and Interviews concerning modern Chinese history
• Series V: Manuscript files
• Series VI: Fund Raising
• Series VII: Martin Wilbur Box List Home Files
• Series VIII: Research notes on the developing Chinese Revolution
• Series IX: Translated Russian Sources
• Series X: Primary Materials and Translations
• Series XI: Writings and Research Materials
• Amplifications
• 1992 Addition:
• 1993 Addition:

Description

Summary

Correspondence, subject files, manuscripts and printed materials documenting the work of C. Martin Wilbur, George Sansom Professor Emeritus of Chinese History, Columbia University. Correspondence with non-Columbia organizations includes the Institute of Pacific Relations, Far Eastern Association, INDUSCO, Council on Foreign Relations, Asia Foundation, and American Council of Learned Societies, among others. Subject files relevant to Columbia University include items pertaining to the Department of Chinese and Japanese, later renamed the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, as well as teaching files, student files and research projects directed. The manuscript files contain the notes and, in some cases, printed copies of published and unpublished works and public talks. Wilbur's writings and research concentrate on the history and politics of twentieth century China, with emphasis on the Chinese Revolution, 1920-1929, Sun Yat-sen, and communism in China. There are translations of minutes for the first and second Kuomintang Congresses, copies of documents from the Kuomintang Archives, and photographs of members of the Young China Party, Sun Yat-sen and several historical events in the 1920s. Files on fund raising efforts for the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and the Wellington Koo Fellowship also contain relevant correspondence. Biographical information includes a curriculum vitae (ca. 1968)

• Series I: Correspondence with Non-Columbia Persons and Organizations

• Series II: Subject Files Columbia University

• Series III: Bibliographic and translation project on Chinese Communism

• Series IV: Translations and Interviews concerning modern Chinese history

• Series V: Manuscript files

• Series VI: Fund Raising

• Series VII: Martin Wilbur Box List Home Files

• Series VIII: Research notes on the developing Chinese Revolution

• Series IX: Translated Russian Sources

• Series X: Primary Materials and Translations

• Series XI: Writings and Research Materials

• Amplifications

  The following Information is provided to assist persons interested in CMW's activities, if there should be any. Entries of are arranged according to the sequence accompany list of files, and there under roughly according to date when the activity began. Materials will appear in the files.

• 1992 Addition:

• 1993 Addition:

  Chinese calligraphy scrolls written by prominent Republican-era Chinese which were presented to Professor C. Martin Wilbur. Many are inscribed by the writers. Also included are 2 "Rubbings from the Forest of Tablets" (Shensi Provincial Museum)

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on 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 off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

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); C. Martin Wilbur papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

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

Ownership and Custodial History

Gift of C. Martin Wilbur, 1988 & 1992.

Transferred from East Asian Library, 1993.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Wilbur, C. Martin. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--12/02/88. Accession number--M-88-12-02.

Papers: Source of acquisition--Wilbur C. Martin. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1992. Accession number--M-1992.

Scrolls & rubbings: Source of acquisition--East Asian Library. Method of acquisition--Transfer; Date of acquisition--02/15/93. Accession number--M-93-02-15.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Processed H.H 03/23/89.

Papers Processed AN 10/01/92.

Scrolls & rubbings Processed HR 02/17/93.

Revision Description

2009-06-26 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.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Columbia M.A., 1933; Ph.D., 1941. Curator, Chinese Archaeology & Ethnology, Field Museum of Natural History, 1936-1947. Staff member, Office of Strategic Services & U.S. Dept. of State, 1943-1947. Associate Professor, Professor, George Sanson Professor of Chinese History, Columbia University, 1947-1976. Professor Emeritus & Senior Research Associate, East Asian Institute, Columbia University, 1976-. Co-director of the Chinese Oral History Project, ca. 1958-1980.