Yung Kwai papers

Collection

Call Number: MS 1795

Scope and Contents

The papers consist of professional files; genealogical materials; photographs and memorabilia; and writings and translations documenting Yung Kwai's participation in the Chinese Educational Mission, his diplomatic career with the Chinese Legation, as well as his personal life.

Dates

1874-1939
Majority of material found within 1874 - 1894

Creator

Yung, Kwai, 1861-1943

Language of Materials

The papers are in English and Chinese.

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Dana Young, 2001.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by type of material.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/mssa.ms.1795

Additional Description

Overview

Biographical / Historical

Yung Kwai was born on March 2, 1861, in Sin Hui, Province of Kwangtung, China. He came to the United States as a participant in the Chinese Educational Mission program, studying at the Springfield, Massachusetts, High School. He subsequently enrolled in Yale College from which he received his B.A. degree in 1884. From 1884 to 1885 he was employed by the Chinese Legation in Washington, D.C. He returned to Yale during the 1885-1886 academic year to study at the Sheffield Scientific School, and the next year at the Columbia University School of Mines. In 1890 he joined the Chinese Legation in Washington, D.C. and served successively as interpreter, first secretary, adviser, and chargé d'affaires ad interim until his retirement in 1936. On May 23, 1894, he married Mary Elizabeth Lyon Burnham. He was also a reporter for the New York Herald, 1893-1897. Following his retirement from the legation, he served as general adviser to the Chinese Embassy, Washington, D.C., from 1936 to 1943. Yung Kwai died on March 17, 1943, in Washington, D.C.