Charles Leong papers, 1932-1972.

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Charles Leong papers,
Dates:
1932-1972.
Creators:
Leong, Charles L., 1911-, Hoy, William Correspondent, Chinese News (Publisher : San Francisco, Calif.), Chinese Press(Publisher : San Francisco, Calif.), Young China (Publisher : San Francisco, Calif.), and Chinese Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco
Abstract:

Contains personal papers, including correspondence from 1944 to 1971, chiefly with Lillian Leong, William Hoy, Jake Lee, H.J. Timperley, and letters received while serving in China during World War II. Includes photographs of Leong, awards, contracts, military service papers, and other personal and printed ephemera. Also contains writings by Leong, including typescript drafts for chapters of Chinese in America, for his column, "Chinatown, My Chinatown," and biographies featuring Margaret Chung, Ng Poon Chew, and Dong Kingman, as well as numerous stories, articles, and news items, along with his research materials and notes relating to Chinese Americans. Also includes public relations materials from Leong's military service in Kunming, China, including correspondence, procedures, press releases, and newspaper clippings, plus correspondence, minutes, press releases, and newspaper clippings while serving at the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA). With these are some press releases and information sheets from Leong's work for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco, chiefly relating to Chinese New Years, miscellaneous publicity materials.

Also contains materials from Leong's work as a publisher and newsman for Chinese Press (1942-1952), Chinese News (1952-1953), and Young China (1962-1966). Includes correspondence, press releases, feature articles on Leong, newsclippings, photographs, research materials, and working notes, as well as promotional advertising, circulation, and production materials, such as samples, mailing lists, and office procedures. Finally, there are some files relating to the work of his own public relations firms, Charles L. Leong Associates, and Chinese Business Publishing Company, Oriental Advertising Service, Cosmo Advertising Service, including correspondence, press releases, business stationery, advertising samples, layouts, rate sheets, finance information, newsclippings, notes and printed materials.

Extent:
4 cartons, 1 box, and 1 oversize folder (5.5 linear ft.)
Language:
English

Background

Biographical / historical:
From his birth in 1911 to his death at the age of 72 in 1984, Charles Leong, a San Francisco native was a newsman, editor, publisher, author, Chinatown civic leader, the first Asian member of the Press Club, and co-founder with William Hoy of the Chinese Press, an English language paper for Chinese Americans. He served with the "Flying Tigers" in China during World War II and, on his return, continued in the newspaper business in various capacities with the Chinese Press, Chinese News, Young China, the Chronicle and Hokubei Mainichi, as well as public relations for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Arrangement:
Carton 1: Personal correspondence, papers, photographs, awards newsletters, and printed materials; Carton 2: Writings with related research files, public relations correspondence, press releases, and printed materials; Carton 3: Public relations correspondence, press releases, newspaper clippings, Chinese Press, Chinese News and The Young China publisher correspondence, records, and printed materials; Carton 4: Publishing reference files with photographs, newsclippings, and printed materials; Box 1: Business correspondence, records, advertising reference files, and printed materials.
Physical description:
4 cartons, 1 box, and 1 oversize folder (5.5 linear ft.)

Access and use

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, Dept. of Ethnic Studies, 30 Stephens Hall #2630
Berkeley, CA 94720-2360, US
Contact:
(510) 643-1234