James Whitford Bashford diaries, 1905 -- 1918, 1969

Creator:
Bashford, J. W (James Whitford), 1849-1919
Abstract:
James Whitford Bashford was a resident Methodist bishop in Shanghai and Peking, China, and former president of Ohio Wesleyan University. The collection contains diaries which include notes on religion, lands, people, and history of China; and index to the diaries; as well as photographs and collection notes.
Extent:
2 linear feet 2.00 linear feet; 4 boxes
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection contains 54 volumes of diaries which Bashford wrote during his life in China. The diaries contain notes on his work, travels, interviews with public figures and reflections upon readings, as well as notes on history and events of his day. He also compiled extensive notes on the religions, land, people, and history of China. These appear in a separate notebook. Also included is an index for Bashford's diaries. Some entries are in the form Diary number: page number; most entries simply have four digits. For these entries the first two digits refer to the diary number. The remaining digits refer to the page number within that diary. This collection also contains a portrait photo of Bashford and a photo of buildings at Peking University, as well as collection notes.

Biographical / historical:

Known for his work as a resident missionary bishop in China, Bashford was born on May 29, 1849 at Fayette, Wisconsin. He received his A.B. degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1873, and graduated from the Boston University School of Theology in 1876. He was awarded a Ph.D. from Boston University in 1881. In 1878 he married Jane M. Field. After several pastorates in the Methodist Episcopal Church serving in Boston, Massachusetts, Portland, Maine and Buffalo, N.Y., Bashford was elected president of Ohio Wesleyan University in 1889. In 1904 he was elected bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in the same year went to China as resident bishop, first in Shanghai. From the summer of 1908 onwards, Bashford served in Peking. Bishop Bashford began his missionary career in China when the country had just experienced the Boxer Uprising. In 1911 the monarchy was overthrown and the Republic of China established. Bashford advocated recognition of the Republic by the U.S. Government. It was Bashford's belief that hope for China lay in Christianizing its civilization. A man of wide influence, he approached the problems of church administration as churchman, educator and statesman. As Methodist churchman his attitude towards members of other denominations was ecumenical, but he advocated worldwide denominations rather than national churches. He died in Pasadena, California on March 18, 1919. His published works include God's Missionary Plan for the World (1908), China and Methodism (1908), and numerous pamphlets on the "Awakening of China," as well as on other subjects. His major literary work is China, an Interpretation (1916).

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Onsite storage.

Terms of access:

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred citation:

Item description, MRL 6: James Whitford Bashford diaries, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
Burke Home Page
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Contact:
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