Eugene E. Barnett Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS.0033

  • Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This .21 linear feet collection contains correspondence, vita, book review, and an 304-page typescript autobiographical manuscript. The manuscript is divided into 20 sections and has been put in file folders by section number.

The autobiographical manuscript written by Eugene E. Barnett gives detailed information on his family background (the Barnett and Epperson Families), his boyhood, his college years with his involvement with the YMCA, the lives of his family both at home and abroad, and his many experiences.

Dates

  • 1888 - 1967

Biographical Note - Eugene Barnett

Eugene Epperson Barnett was born in 1888 in Leesburg, Florida. He received a B.A. from Emory University in 1907; post-graduate study in the School of Religion at Vanderbilt University, 1907-1908; and received Honorary Degree of LL.D., from Emory University in 1944, and University of North Carolina in 1946.

He was the General Secretary of the National Council of YMCA’s from 1908-1910. He continued his work with the International Committee of the YMCA. From 1910-1936 he worked in China. While in China, he observed many religious and political changes including the downfall of Chiang Kai-Shek and the resurgence of Communism. After leaving China, he continued to work for the YMCA until his retirement in 1953. He traveled extensively before and after retirement. He died in 1970.

The autobiographical manuscript written by Eugene E. Barnett gives detailed information on his family background (the Barnett and Epperson Families), his boyhood, his college years with his involvement with the YMCA, the lives of his family both at home and abroad, and his many experiences. The memoir covers in great detail the following subjects:

  1. Physical descriptions of Shanghai and Hangchow
  2. YMCA work in Hangchow
  3. Boxer Rebellion
  4. Collapse of Ch’ing Dynasty
  5. Economic Depression
  6. Cultural Life in China
  7. Anti-American Sentiment
  8. World War I
  9. Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
  10. Siege of Shanghai by Japanese Forces
  11. Marxism
  12. Communism
  13. USSR (Soviet Union)

Although intended to be a three-chapter autobiographical manuscript, the last chapter was not written.

Extent

.42 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

Special Collections & Archives

Title
Finding Aid for the Eugene E. Barnett Papers
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States


 

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