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Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections Pullman, WA 99164-5610 USA (509) 335-6691 Inquiries

Cage 255
Thomas La Fargue
Papers, 1873-1946

The papers of Thomas La Fargue were donated to the Washington State University Libraries by La Fargue in the 1940s. The papers were re-processed in June 1987 by Jennifer Brathovde. In 2006 pinyin equivalents for many names were added (provided by Edward Rhoads).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Thomas La Fargue (b. 1900) was a history professor at the State College of Washington during the period in which he researched and wrote China's First Hundred (1942). The book is a study of one hundred Chinese boys who studied in the United States from 1872-1881 as part of the Chinese Educational Mission to America. La Fargue earned a B.A. and M.A. from the University of California and a Ph.D. from Stanford University.

ARRANGEMENT AND DESCRIPTION

The papers are arranged in three series: Chinese Educational Mission Students, Thomas La Fargue and Photographs.

In the first series, the Group Biographical Information sub series includes general or group biographical information about the students, such as lists of names, newspaper or magazine group photos, personal accounts, addresses and birth dates. Most of the material is not dated and is arranged by subject. The Individual Biographical Information sub series is arranged alphabetically by the student's last name. The Commemorations sub series includes transcripts of speeches, published photos, newspaper articles and related material concerning commemorative events for the students; arranged chronologically. The Correspondence sub series consists of lists of personal letters written by twelve of the Chinese students and letters received by the same twelve. The outgoing and incoming correspondence is arranged alphabetically by the student's name, and chronologically within the individual group. The Published Writings sub series includes pamphlets and articles on the mission project or Chinese history. Many are written by Emil S. Fischer on the subject of Tong Shao-yi (Tang Shaoyi) who was a mission student and premier of China. The group is arranged chronologically.

In the La Fargue series, the book-related correspondence primarily concerns La Fargue's requests for research material and responses to his inquiries. The WSU related correspondence, between the State College of Washington representatives and La Fargue, relates to La Fargue's summer of 1940 trip to China and Japan. Itinerary, funds, expenses, purchases, etc., are documented. The arrangement is chronological.

Pinyin spelling are given in parentheses.

Wan Bing Chung

The Photographs series consists of original photographic prints of the Chinese students. The photographs are arranged in group, individual student-youth, and individual student-adult subseries.

ARRANGEMENT