Photograph: Robert Chang and his wife. Photo Credit: Joe Pineiro.

Columbia has announced its acceptance of the personal papers and official oral history of General Chang Hsueh-liang and the opening of a Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room named in honor of Chang and his wife, Edith Chao Chang.

A reception was held recently in the new Chang Reading Room to celebrate the event.

Chang, also known as the "Young Marshal," was the son of the Chinese warlord, Chang Tso-lin. In succession, they ruled Manchuria prior to Japan's invasion and establishment of Manchukuo.

Chang directed the 200,000 troops of the Northeastern Border Defense Army and also performed various roles within the Nationalist Chinese government, including deputy commander in chief of the Nationalist armies.

His strategic alliance with the Nationalists proved to be a central force in the unification of China. This contribution, however, was later overshadowed because of his role in the 1936 Sian Incident in which Chiang Kai-shek was required to establish a united front between Nationalist and Communist forces to oppose the Japanese invasion of China. As punishment for his role in this event, Chang was placed under house arrest for more than 50 years, first in China and later in Taiwan when the Nationalist government moved to that island.

During this period he studied contemporary history and theology, and developed a number of hobbies, including photography.

Chang's papers will join those of several other historical figures in early 20th century Chinese history. Likewise, his official oral history will be added to the collection of taped interviews with prominent Chinese Republican-era leaders conducted by Franklin L. Ho and C. Martin Wilbur of Columbia's East Asian Institute.

The Peter H.L. and Edith C. Chang Reading Room will be used for seminars and events associated with the use of his papers and oral history as well as Columbia's 28 million manuscripts and 500,000 rare books.

The Chang papers and oral history will not be accessible to the public until the year 2002.

Columbia University Record -- November 15, 1996 -- Vol. 22, No. 9