Inventory of the Lei Zhen Papers
Processed by Lisa H. Nguyen.
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford University
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Phone: (650) 723-3563
Fax: (650) 725-3445
Email: archives@hoover.stanford.edu
© 2009
Hoover Institution Archives. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the Lei Zhen Papers
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford University
Stanford, California
- Processed by:
- Lisa H. Nguyen
- Date Completed:
- 2007
- Encoded by:
- Machine-readable finding aid derived from Microsoft Word and MARC record by Natasha Porfirenko.
© 2009 Hoover Institution Archives. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Title: Lei Zhen Papers
Dates: 1960-1977
Collection Number: 2008C3
Creator: Lei, Zhen
Collection Size:
2 manuscript boxes
(0.8 linear feet)
Repository:
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Abstract: Lei Zhen (1897-1979) was a human rights activist, liberal thinker, and vigorous political opponent of Chiang Kai-shek and
Kuomintang rule in post-1949 Taiwan. The collection, consisting of Lei Zhen's memoir, correspondence, and writings dated 1960-1977,
primarily relates to the pro-democracy movement in Taiwan.
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Archives
Languages:
Chinese
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research.
Access to audiovisual materials requires at least two weeks advance notice. Audiovisual materials include sound recordings,
video recordings, and motion picture film. Hoover staff will determine whether use copies of the materials requested can be
made available. Some materials may not be accessible even with advance notice. Please contact the Hoover Institution Archives
for further information.
Publication Rights
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Lei Zhen Papers, [Box number], Hoover Institution Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 2008.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. To determine if this has occurred, find
the collection in Stanford University's online catalog at
http://searchworks.stanford.edu/ . Materials have been added to the collection if the number of boxes listed in the online catalog is larger than the number
of boxes listed in this finding aid.
Biographical/Historical Note
| 1897 June 25 |
Born, Zhejiang province, China, nè Yonglong |
| 1916 |
Studied in Japan; entered the Chinese Revolutionary Party (Zhonghua Geming Dang) |
| 1926 |
Graduated from Kyoto Imperial University; entered law school to study constitutional law |
| 1928 |
Instructor at the Central Military Academy |
| 1929 |
Professor of Law at National Central University |
| 1931 |
Kuomintang (KMT) Special Municipalities Committee member |
| 1932 |
Chairman of the KMT National Congress in Nanjing |
| 1933 |
Chief of the Department of Education's General Administrative Affairs Office |
| 1937 |
Member of the Military Affairs Commission |
| 1943 |
Deputy Secretary General of the People's Political Council |
| 1945 |
Appointed by Chiang Kai-shek as Secretary General of the Political Consultant Conference |
| 1946 |
Deputy Secretary General of the National Assembly |
| 1947 |
Minister without Portfolio |
| 1949 |
Launched the first issue of the Free China Journal |
| 1950 |
Presidential policy advisor, Central Bank board member |
| 1952 |
Secretary General of the Sino-Japanese Cultural and Economic Association |
| 1960 |
Sentenced to 10 years in prison by Chiang Kai-shek |
| 1970 September |
Released from prison |
| 1979 March 7 |
Died, Taipei, Taiwan |
Scope and Content of Collection
Lei Zhen (1897-1979) was a human rights activist, liberal thinker, and vigorous political opponent of Chiang Kai-shek and
Kuomintang rule in post-1949 Taiwan. Acquired by the Hoover Institution in 2007, the collection, consisting of Lei Zhen's
memoir, correspondence, and writings dated 1960-1977, primarily relates to the pro-democracy movement in Taiwan.
Lei Zhen launched the Free China Journal in 1949. Due to the journal's pro-democracy stance and criticism of Chiang Kai-shek,
Lei was arrested for treason on September 4, 1960, and sentenced to ten years in prison. The magazine was subsequently shut
down.
While in prison, Lei wrote a four million character memoir chronicling his life and thoughts on democracy, freedom of speech,
and an open society. However, the memoir and most government records regarding the controversial "Lei Zhen Incident" have
either disappeared or been destroyed.
During the last two years of his life, Lei attempted to reconstruct the memoir. The result was a five chapter, three hundred
thousand character manuscript titled
The Black Book of Forming a New Party (Lei Zhen Huiyi Lu Zhi Xin Dang Yundong Hei Pi Shu) that described Lei's vision for Taiwan's democratization process, constitutional reform, and future prospects.
Included in the collection is a draft of this manuscript and letters to his children and other family members. Portions of
this memoir, as well as family letters were published in 2003. The collection also includes unpublished material such as the
first chapter of the manuscript, and additional correspondence.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Taiwan--Politics and government--1945-1975
Collection Contents
Manuscript,
1977
Scope and Content Note
Written during the last two years of Lei's life, the manuscript titled The Black Book of Forming a New Party (Lei Zhen Huiyi
Lu Zhi Xin Dang Yundong Hei Pi Shu), describes Lei's vision for Taiwan's democratization process, constitutional reform, and
future prospects, arranged by chapters. In Chinese.
The Black Book of Forming a New Party (Lei Zhen Huiyi Lu Zhi Xin Dang Yundong Hei Pi Shu), manuscript,
1977.
Scope and Content Note
Describes Lei's vision for Taiwan's democratization process and prospects
Correspondence,
1960-1970
Scope and Content Note
Letters written in prison addressed to Lei Zhen's wife, Xiang Yun, five children, Meilin, Meili, Meimin, Meimei, Tianhong,
and Tianxi. In Chinese.
