James B. Webster papers, 1894-2003

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Summary

Creators:
Webster, James B. (James Benjamin), 1879-1929
Abstract:
The papers relate to theology, and to missionary activities and Christian education in China. They are comprised of diaries, correspondence, notebooks, writings, printed matter, photographs, and memorabilia.
Extent:
43 manuscript boxes, 1 card file box, 4 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder, 1 envelope, slides (22.3 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], James B. Webster papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection documents J. B. Webster's work and life as a Christian missionary in China. The collection includes day books, correspondence, newspaper articles, writings, and other printed material from Webster's daily life. Webster lived in China for many years as a teacher and an administrator at Shanghai College. As a missionary and as an employee at the college, Webster worked to improve the Christian religious education movement, particularly in China, which included completing sociological studies of Chinese adolescents and writing on effective religious education techniques. The collection contains many examples of coursework and lesson plans for various classes at Shanghai colleges and other schools. Webster was interested in examining how sociological factors in the community and culture affected the acceptance and incorporation of religious education. The professional correspondence in the collection contains letters with fellow missionaries, superiors, coworkers at the Shanghai college, and students.

Apart from the documents and materials from Webster's professional life, the collection contains material from Webster's own education and personal life, such as documents from his time at seminary and family correspondence. The collection includes letters, writings, photographs, and biographical material of Alta Newby Webster, James B. Webster's wife, as well as family receipts from China, which reveal the day to day existence of the Webster family in China. Additionally, Webster kept diaries that describe his life and travels in China. A;though Webster died in the United States in 1929, and there is material in the collection that was created after his death, including correspondence and memorial materials.

The collection includes a significant number of photographs depicting the Webster family and other missionary families in China, students and instructors at Shanghai College, and scenery from Webster's travels around the country. Also included are black-and-white photographs taken by Webster that depict revolutionary troops attacking Qing Imperial forces. Webster had access to the battlefront on land and at sea.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
September 29, 1879
Born, Passumpsic, Vermont
1908-1912
Educational missionary in China
1912 September 25
Married Alta Newby in Chinkiang [Zhenjiang], China
1912-1915
Director of pastoral work and lecturer in Chinese and English, Shanghai Baptist College and Seminary
1915-1917
Attended Hartford Seminary Foundation where he received his PhD in Religious Education
1917-1925
Head of Department of Education and professor of Education, Shanghai College
1924
Acting dean, Shanghai College
1926-1928
Associate professor of Education, College of the Pacific, Stockton, California
1928
Completed research study on adolescent interests of Chinese youths
1929 December 8
Died, Stockton, California
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1970.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

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], James B. Webster 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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