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Huntington Gilchrist papers

 Collection
Identifier: M072

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Scope and Content

The collection contains correspondence written by various members of the Gilchrist family (1815-1894); letters written by or to Huntington Gilchrist while instructor of the Anglo-Chinese College in Foochow and Peking (1912-1914), as well as some from his later years (through 1922); primarily to his mother, they discuss the Methodist mission in Foochow, the American Board Mission, visiting missionaries, and his trips. Gilchrist's diary, written en route from San Francisco to China (August-September, 1913), ends with his arrival at Kyoto, Japan. There are also 211 photographic negatives, mostly of China.

Dates

  • Creation: 1815-1922

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Biographical/Historical Note

Huntington Gilchrist was a journalist, political scientist, diplomat, educator and corporate executive. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 16, 1891, the son of John and Martha Hyde Huntington Gilchrist.

A graduate of Williams (B.A. 1913), Harvard (M.A. 1916), and Columbia (Ph.D. 1918), Gilchrist was a senior executive with American Cyanamid Company in New York and London (1928-1955), and he had a unique career in international relations. He was the only American to serve as a senior member of the international staffs working to establish both the League of Nations (1919-1928) and the United Nations (1944-1957). In 1949, he was persuaded by Ambassador Averell Harriman to go to Paris as Director of the Industry Division of the Marshall Plan for Europe and, beginning in 1950, served for four years as United States Minister in Brussels in charge of Plan operations in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Belgian Congo.

Gilchrist was also one of the founders of the International School in Geneva, Switzerland, and served as chairman of its board of directors from 1960 to 1963.

Gilchrist married Elizabeth Brace, daughter of Charles Loring Brace of New York City, on October 1, 1920. They had three children. A resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Huntington Gilchrist died on January 13, 1975.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection contains correspondence written by various members of the Gilchrist family, letters written by or to Huntington Gilchrist while instructor of the Anglo-Chinese College in Foochow and Peking, as well as some from his later years; also includes photographs.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Huntington Gilchrist Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.