Skip to main content

Lucy Monroe Calhoun Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Midwest-MS-126

Scope and Content of the Collection

Six letters by Lucy Monroe Calhoun and three by husband William J. Calhoun (U.S. Minister to China, 1909-1913), regarding their experiences in China during the last years of the Qing Dynasty. One letter describes in detail the wedding of Emperor Puyi in December, 1922. A seventh letter relates Lucy Calhoun’s visit to LeMans, France, which served as an embarkation point for troops at the conclusion of World War I. Also, a 1909 Chicago newspaper clipping and a childhood photographic portrait of Emperor Puyi.

Dates

  • Creation: 1909-1922 or 1923

Creator

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The Lucy Monroe Calhoun Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room (Priority III).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The Lucy Monroe Calhoun Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Biography of Lucy Monroe Calhoun

Chicago writer and wife of United States Minister to China.

Lucy Monroe Calhoun, sister of poet and editor Harriet Monroe, was born in 1865. Before her marriage to William J. Calhoun, she had been a freelance art critic for Chicago newspapers as well as national publications. When her husband served as U.S. minister to China, she became the social leader of the diplomatic community in Peking.

After her husband’s death, Lucy Calhoun served in the war effort in France in World War I. In the 1920s she returned to Peking, established her home in an ancient temple, collected art, and become an “institution” in the city. She remained in Peking until the Japanese occupation of the city in 1937.

Lucy Monroe Calhoun died in Chicago in 1950, aged 85.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (3 folders)

Abstract

Six letters by Lucy Monroe Calhoun and three by her husband, William J. Calhoun (U.S. Minister to China, 1909-1913), regarding their experiences in China during the last years of the Qing Dynasty, which includes a description of the December 1922 wedding of Emperor Puyi. Another letter relates Monroe’s visit to Le Mans, France, the American Red Cross embarkation camp at the end of World War I. Also, a newspaper clipping and a photograph of Emperor Puyi as a child.

Arrangement

Materials arranged by type.

Collection Stack Location

1 1 2

Provenance

Donor unknown, 1967.

Processed by

Virginia Hay Smith, 2008.

Title
Inventory of the Lucy Monroe Calhoun Papers, 1909-1922 or 1923
Status
Completed
Author
Virginia Hay Smith
Date
©2008.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 08/17/2011: Revisions, additions, and updates were made.

Repository Details

Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512