James M. Plumer papers, 1921-1958

Summary

Creator:

Plumer, James Marshall, 1899-1960

Abstract:

Civil servant with Chinese Maritime Customs Service, later professor of Far Eastern art at the University of Michigan. Letters to his mother describing his experiences in China, other related papers, and photographs from his years in China.

Extent:

2 linear feet

Language:

English

Call Number:

85328 Aa 2

Authors:

Finding aid created by Michigan Historical Collections staff

Background

Scope and Content:

The Plumer collection has been arranged into the following series: Letters to his mother from China; Other Materials; and Photographs. The letters to his mother are bound together in seven volumes with occasional descriptive photographs. The letters describe his experiences in Nanking, Manchuria, Shanghai, and Hankow, and his vacation trip to India in 1928. Also included are typescripts of selective letters. The Photographs series consists of people, buildings, and views in China, especially in Nanking and Manchuria. There are also photos of visits to Hong Kong, India, Japan, and the Philippines.

Biographical / Historical:

James Marshall Plumer was born on July 10, 1899, at Newton Centre, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University (B.A., 1921; M.A., 1937). From 1923 to 1937, he served in China as a member of the staff of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service. On periodic leaves, Plumer also held an appointment as assistant and tutor in Chinese language at Harvard. He also served as secretary of the Harvard-Yenching Institute, 1929-1930. In 1935, during another leave, Plumer was appointed lecturer on Far Eastern Art at the University of Michigan, where he taught for twenty-five years, eventually holding the rank of Professor of Far Eastern Art.

Plumer contributed numerous articles to scholarly journals in the field of Far Eastern Art, and was editor (1952-1958) of the Far Eastern Ceramic Bulletin. He also completed and edited Langdon Warner's book, Japanese Sculpture of the Tempyo Period.

James Plumer died June 15, 1960.

Acquisition Information:

The collection was donated in several accessions in 1980, 1981, and 1986, by Carol Plumer (donor no. 6463 ), the widow of James M. Plumer.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Subjects

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Subjects:

Shipping.
Ships.
Tourism.

Formats:

Albums.
Photographs.

Names:

China. Hai guan zong shui wu si shu.
University of Michigan -- Faculty.
Plummer family.
Plumer, James Marshall.

Places:

China -- History -- Republic, 1912-1949.
India.
China -- History -- Republic, 1912-1949.
Hong Kong (China)
India.
Japan.
Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946.