David Nelson Rowe papers, 1861-1982

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Summary

Creators:
Rowe, David Nelson, 1905-1985
Abstract:
Correspondence, speeches and writings, notes, reports, printed matter, photographs, slides, phonotapes, microfilm, maps, postcards, and memorabilia relating to Chinese history and foreign relations, Asian area studies, Japanese World War II propaganda, application of the People's Republic of China for admission to the United Nations, and communism in Asia.
Extent:
148 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box, 1 small object box, 4 oversize folders (66.5 Linear Feet)
Language:
In English and Chinese
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], David Nelson Rowe papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection relates to Chinese history and foreign relations, Asian area studies (including Taiwan), Japanese World War II propaganda, the application of the People's Republic of China for admission to the United Nations, and communism in Asia. It is comprised of correspondence, speeches and writings, notes, reports, printed matter, photographs, slides, sound recordings, microfilm, maps, posters, and postcards.

Of particular note in the collection are Japanese propaganda posters, flyers, and other visual materials depicting scenes from the Second Sino-Japanese War, likely collected by Rowe during his trips to the region and used as research materials for his writings on Japanese propaganda in North China and the development of psychological warfare strategies.

Pamphlets, monographs, and newsletters relating to communism in Asia and diplomatic relations between the United States and Asia are included in the papers and are supplemented by Rowe's correspondence with others involved in anti-communist organizations in the United States, most notably Marvin Liebman and Alfred Kohlberg.

Research materials relating to the Chinese agriculture development and technical assistance missions in Africa and Latin America from 1965 to 1971 are in the collection in the form of reports, photographs, pamphlets, and maps.

No arrangement was performed by archives staff and original folder titles are used when provided.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1905 October 21
Born in Nanking (Nanjing), China to American missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal Church
1927
AB in political science, Princeton University
1930
AM in history, University of Southern California
1935
PhD in history, University of Chicago
1935-1937
Completed postdoctoral study at Harvard University in Chinese and Japanese language and Chinese history
1937-1938
Attended College of Chinese Studies, Peking (Beijing), China as a Rockefeller Foundation fellow
1938-1943
Lecturer in Far Eastern affairs, Princeton University
1941-1942
Special assistant to U.S. ambassador, Chungking (Chongqing), China
Special assistant to director, Branch of Research and Analysis, Office of Strategic Services
1943
Author, China's Military Potential and the Enforcement of Peace, Yale Institute of International Studies
1945
Author, Collective Security in the Pacific, Institute of Pacific Relations
Author, China among the Powers, Harcourt
1945-1950
Assistant professor of international relations, Yale University
1950-1974
Professor of political science, Yale University
1951
Consultant to Stanford Research Institute
1954
Editor, China: An Area Manual, Johns Hopkins Press
1954-1955
Editor (with W. Kendall), China: A Handbook for Psywar Operators, three volumes, U.S. Operations Research
1956
Author, Recent Acquisitions of Chinese Diplomatic Archives, Academica Sinica
1958-1960
Director of graduate studies in international relations, Yale University
1959
Author, Modern China: A Brief History, Van Nostrand
1960
Editor, Index to Ch'ing Tai Ch'ou Pan I Wu Shih Mo, Shoe String
1964
Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve
1965
Editor (with Sofia S.F. Yen), Index to Su-lien Yin-Mou Wen-cheng, Shoe String
1965-1974
Director of graduate studies in international relations, Yale University
1968
Editor, New Nations, Shoe String
1969
Author, The New Diplomacy: International Technical Cooperation Projects of the Republic of China in African Countries, National Council of Scholars
1975
Author, Informal Diplomatic Relations: The Case of Japan and the Republic of China, Shoe String
1979
Author, U.S. China Policy Today, University of Professors for Academic Order
1980
Author, The Carter China Policy
1982
Author, Ally Betrayed: The Republic of China, Western Goals
1985 June 3
Died, Sun City, Arizona

David Rowe (1905-1985) was born in Nanjing in 1905 to American missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received his BA from Princeton, and PhD in University of Chicago. In 1938 he went to China as a Rockefeller Foundation fellow, returning to America the next year and began teaching at Princeton University. In 1941-42, he served as special assistant to director of the Office of Strategic Services and US ambassador to China. Began teaching at Yale University in 1945 until his retirement in 1974.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1978, with increments received in 1981 and 1982.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes 143 and 150 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], David Nelson Rowe papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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