Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Harris, Sheldon H.
- Abstract:
- Writings, correspondence, photocopies of government documents, photographs, sound recordings, video tapes, and printed matter, of an American historian relating mainly to biological warfare, especially as conducted by Japan in China before and during World War II. Includes research material used in the preparation of the book by S. H. Harris, Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the American Cover-up (London, 1994).
- Extent:
- 53 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 2 videocassette boxes, 9 sound cassettes, 1 oversize folder, digital media (22.0 Linear Feet)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Sheldon H. Harris Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The papers of Sheldon Harris consist of correspondence; photocopies of government documents; photographs; printed matter; sound recordings; video tapes; and writings relating mainly to biological warfare, especially as conducted by Japan in China before and during World War II. They include research materials used in the preparation of the book, Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the American Cover-Up.
Sheldon Harris was one of the researchers responsible for bringing to light the facts of Japan's war crimes against humanity. The materials draw attention to atrocities committed by Japan in China between 1931 and 1945. They shed light on experiments carried out by the scientists and doctors of Unit 731 of the Japanese army by exposing human subjects to poisonous gases and infectious diseases. They also raise some controversial issues, such as an alleged immunity deal and possible cover-up between American and Japanese scientists, the question of reparation to the victims, and Japan's responsibility.
An acknowledgement of Japan's experiments with biological weapons and their use against the Chinese people came from a Japanese court shortly before Harris's death.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Date Event 1928 August 22 Born, Brooklyn, New York1949 A.B. (cum laude), Brooklyn College (now Brooklyn College of the City University of New York)1950 A.M., Harvard University1955 Married Sheila J. Black1957-1958 Instructor in history, Brooklyn College (now Brooklyn College of the City University of New York)1958 Ph.D., Columbia University, New York1958-1963 Associate professor of social science, Bradford Durfee College of Technology (now Southeastern Massachusetts University), Bradford, Massachusetts1962 Recipient, Roger Benjamin Foundation Award1963-1964 Recipient, American Council of Learned Societies research grant1963-1966 Assistant professor, California State University, Northridge1966 Visiting professor, University of California, Los Angeles1966-1969 Associate professor, California State University, Northridge1969-1991 Professor of history, California State University, Northridge1971 Recipient, American Philosophical Society grant for research in England1972 Author, <emph render="italic">President Johnson's Decision to Intervene in Vietnam</emph>Author, <emph render="italic">Paul Cuffe: Black America and the African Return</emph>1973 Author, Prohibition1979 Author, Blue's Who's Who: A Biographical Dictionary of Blues Singers1986 Author, I Remember: Eighty Years of Black Entertainment, Big Bands, and the Blues: An Autography1994 Author, Factories of Death: Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-1945, and the American Cover-Up1996 Author, Writers Directory2002 August 31 Died, Los Angeles, California - Acquisition information:
- Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2004
- 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], Sheldon H. Harris Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
- Location of this collection:
-
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford UniversityStanford, CA 94305-6003, US
- Contact:
- (650) 723-3563