Henry C. Brownell Papers

Henry C. Brownell was a history professor at Lingnan University (formerly Canton Christian College) in China from 1908-1950. These papers document his life and work. They include correspondence, reports, newsletters, photographs, lecture notes, writings, official legal documents, diaries, calendars and date books, address books, and newspaper clippings. Henry's 1938-1940 diary from the period in which the Japanese occupied China may be of particular interest. Mrs. Jane Brownell, also a teacher at Lingnan University, is represented in the collection.

The Clippings series is arranged in two ways: chronologically and topically. Clippings cover personal and international matters. Notices of Henry's education, work, and travel are filed alongside clippings about international relations relating to political changes in China, Western Europe, and the United States.

The Correspondence series includes incoming and outgoing personal letters between Henry, Jane, extended family, friends, and Lingnan teachers and students. An explanatory note from Lincoln Brownell, son of Henry C. Brownell, identifies members of the extended Brownell family and some friends; the note is filed with correspondence from 1924. Letters to and from Henry's cousin Katherine Brownell Collier are especially prevalent. There are also official communications to and from Lingnan University trustees based in New York City.

The Lingnan University series presents a more general overview of life in China while associated with the university. Material includes publicity from the university and from different events held there.

The Personal series demonstrates the variety of interests held by the Brownells. Of note are household books such as address books and diaries, as well as writings on Religious topics, and membership groups. Notes commonly consist of To Do lists, quotations, and prayers.

Photographs are mainly grouped together in their own series and categorized based on their geography (China or U.S.)

The Printed Matter series contains a variety of material. Most appears to have been reading material gathered in China including secular and international news sources. A small amount stems from membership groups of which the Brownells were a part.

The Teaching series contains Henry's lecture notes which are written in a personal form of shorthand and appear to be primarily notes used at Lingnan University. Other schools, when known, are noted.

The series Writings/Talks contains Henry's (and to a lesser extent, Jane's) notes for speaking engagements outside of formal teaching environments. Local membership groups, often church-based, frequently invited Henry or Jane to talk about what life was like for them in China. Material in this series was created by Henry unless otherwise stated.