Pearl S. Buck, Author, Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

No special access restriction applies.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Pearl S. Buck, Author, Papers, A&M 0727, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
13.33 Linear Feet 13 ft. 4 in. (23 document cases, 5 in. each); (9 document cases, 2.5 in. each); (1 large flat storage box, 3.5 in.); (1 record carton, 15 in.); (1 large flat storage box, 3 in.); (1 large flat storage box, 1 in.)
Creator:
Buck, Pearl S. (Pearl Sydenstricker), 1892-1973, Bepari, Rasheeda Begum, and New York City Ballet
Abstract:
Papers of Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), an American fiction writer and humanitarian who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938 for her novels about peasant life in China. Dating chiefly from 1933 to 1966, the collection contains typescript and handwritten drafts of articles, reviews, novels, plays, short stories, and speeches; reference materials; and correspondence that document Pearl Buck's literary, political, and humanitarian activities from 1933 to 1976. Prominent topics include Buck's writing, including novels, short stories, articles, and speeches, and publication of her work; Chinese history, politics, and culture; American culture; interracial and international adoption; children with disabilities; and Buck's work for human rights. Prominent correspondents include Richard Walsh, William E. Hocking, and various authors and politicians. Papers also include materials related to the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and to other Chinese and American writers. Addenda include photos, correspondence, publications, drafts of Buck's work, ephemera, recordings, and other material.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Pearl S. Buck, Author, Papers, A&M 0727, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers of Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), an American fiction writer and humanitarian who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938 for her novels about peasant life in China. Though she was born in Hillsboro, West Virginia, Buck was the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries and she was raised in and lived the first part of her adult life in China.

Dating chiefly from 1933 to 1966, the collection contains typescript and handwritten drafts of articles, reviews, novels, plays, short stories, and speeches; reference materials; and correspondence that document Pearl Buck's literary, political, and humanitarian activities from 1933 to 1976.

Prominent topics include Buck's writing, including novels, short stories, articles, and speeches, and publication of her work; Chinese history, politics, and culture; American culture; interracial and international adoption; children with disabilities; and Buck's work for human rights.

Prominent correspondents include Richard Walsh, William E. Hocking, and various authors and politicians. Papers also include materials related to the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and to other Chinese and American writers.

Addenda include photos, correspondence, publications, drafts of Buck's work, ephemera, recordings, artifacts, and other material.

For additional Pearl Buck material, see A&M 4052, Pearl S. Buck, Author, Literary Manuscripts.

There are twelve series in this collection, plus addenda. Most of the material in series 1-6 was written by Buck.

Series 1. Articles; circa 1937-1944; box 1 - box 2, folder 39.
Series 2. Book Reviews; undated; box 2, folder 40-51.
Series 3. Fiction; circa 1930-1960; box 2, folder 52 - box 5, folder 7.
Series 4. Biographical Writings; undated; box 5, folder 8 - box 6, folder 1.
Series 5. Book Manuscripts; undated; box 6, folder 2 - box 7B.
Series 6. Speeches; circa 1930-1969; box 8, folders 1-27.
Series 7. Reference Materials; circa 1937-1950s; box 8, folders 28-32.
Series 8. Miscellaneous Materials; circa 1900-1967, undated; box 9.
Series 9. Writings by Other Authors; 1930-1931, undated; box 10.
Series 10. James Comstock Collection; 1939-1970, undated; box 11.
Series 11. Addenda--Correspondence; 1933-1966, undated; boxes 12-14.
Series 12. Oversized; ca. 1930s-1970s, undated; box 28, folders 1-9.
Addendum of 2006/05/22; 1948; box 34.
Addendum of 2015/04/24; 1939-1988, undated; box 14, folder 14.
Addendum of 2015/05/08; 1921-1945; boxes 15-24.
Addendum of 2015/11/09; circa 1943; box 14, folder 15-19.
Addendum of 2016/06/08; circa 2002; box 25.
Addendum of 2017/04/10; circa 1937-1983; box 26, folders 1-3.
Addendum of 2017/06/22; circa 1940-1983, undated; box 27, folders 1-17.
Addendum of 2017/07/17; 2017; box 25.
Addendum of 2017/07/28; 1983; box 25, folder 3.
Addendum of 2017/08/07; circa 1941, 1982; box 28, folder 10.
Addendum of 2017/08/22; 2010; box 26, folder 4.
Addendum of 2018/02/27; 2015; box 26, folder 5.
Addendum of 2018/05/23; undated; box 35, folder 4.
Addendum of 2018/06/01; 1943-1962; box 35, folder 6.
Addendum of 2018/08/16; 1932; box 35, folder 2.
Addendum of 2018/08/17; 1942; box 35, folder 3.
Addendum of 2019/02/18; 1973; box 29.
Addendum of 2019/03/19; 2015-2018; boxes 30-31.
Addendum of 2019/07/23; 2015-2018; boxes 32-33.
Addendum of 2019/10/01; undated; box 34.
Addendum of 2020/08/17; 1946-1983; box 35, folder 5.
Addendum of 2021/03/07; September 2015; box 32, folder 1.
Addendum of 2021/04/28; circa 1971-1972; box 35, folder 1.
Addendum of 2023/07/30; 1938-1940 and undated; box 32, folder 2.

This series includes typescript drafts of articles written by Buck, probably between 1937 and 1944, though most are undated. Articles are arranged alphabetically by title, and some have handwritten annotations. Many articles pertain to China, but other topics include novels and fiction writing, religion, disabled children, and the United States.

This series contains reviews written by Buck, including one for the novel Sayonara by James Michener and several reviews written for Bookshelf magazine. Reviews are organized in alphabetical order by title and are largely undated.

This series includes typescript and handwritten drafts of short stories, plays, and scripts by Pearl Buck. These writings are organized by genre and then in alphabetical order by title. Most items are undated, but appear to have been written in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.

This series contains stories and articles that relate to the life of Pearl Buck. These pieces, some of which were written by Buck, appear to be based on the author's life.

This series contains drafts of full-length novels. These include Come My Beloved, God's Men, The Goddess Abides, Letter from Peking, The Real Thing, and Stay As You Are as well as three untitled books. They are also undated and organized chiefly according to title.

This series contains drafts of talks given by Buck on various topics ranging from "American Unity" to Chinese culture, politics, and children. Most are undated but appear to date from the 1930s and 1940s.

This series contains miscellaneous articles and outlines that appear to have been part of Buck's research on various topics.

This series chiefly contains secondary information about Pearl Buck as well as material written by Buck. Secondary information includes photos, pamphlets, news clippings, and lectures about Buck. Other materials include publications, pamphlets, outlines, and manuscripts authored by Buck.

This series includes manuscripts of articles and fiction written by Lin Yutang, Cornelia Spencer, and Grace Yaukey, among others. Grace Sydenstricker Yaukey was the sister of Pearl Buck. Using the pen name Cornelia Spencer, Yaukey also wrote books about Chinese history and culture.

This series contains materials collected by James (Jim) Comstock that pertain to Pearl Buck. Items include drawings, photographs, articles, and clippings, and chiefly relate to the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace in Hillsboro, West Virginia.

This series is arranged in the following subseries: outgoing letters, incoming letters, and letters written to Pearl Buck by American philosopher William E. Hocking.

Outgoing letters from 1933 to 1962 primarily contains signed typescript letters written by Pearl Buck to various editors, publishers, and authors. Letters from the 1930s and 1940s chiefly relate to Buck's research and writing and the publication of her work. A 1937 letter to David Lloyd contains Buck's thoughts on This Proud Heart. Letters from the 1950s and 1960s, including one sent to James Michener, chiefly pertain to Welcome House, international adoption, and issues related to current events in China.

Incoming letters from 1933 to 1964 primarily consist of typescript letters written to either Pearl Buck directly or to her publisher and husband, Richard Walsh. Letters from the 1930s and 1940s are typically from magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and larger publishers inquiring about manuscripts, sending acceptances or rejection notices, and looking for serial publications. Letters from the 1950s and 1960s relate to Buck's humanitarian work, particularly her work with Welcome House and legislation related to interracial and international adoption. Correspondents range from Pennsylvania state politicians and national politicians to authors, and include Edward Barrett, Chester Bowles, Estes Kefauver, George Leader, John McCloy, James Michener, Edmund Muskie, Richard Neuberger, Adlai Stevenson, and Sophie Tucker.

William Ernest Hocking Correspondence contains handwritten and typescript letters written by Hocking to Pearl Buck in 1942 and the 1960s. Three letters from 1942 related to relations between China and the United States. The rest of the letters are from 1961 to 1966, when Hocking and Buck had a close personal relationship. Topics include Hocking's personal news and activities; Hocking and Buck's relationship; Buck's writing and other literature; international politics, including relations with China and Vietnam; Gabriel Marcel; and John J. McCloy.

This series includes a diagram, map, articles, clippings, a textile artwork, and a galley of one of Pearl Buck's books. Subjects include Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pearl Buck, and her literary works, among others.

Pearl S. Buck manuscript, typescript for short story titled "Francesca," with handwritten corrections and edits.

Includes photos and postcard of or regarding Pearl S. Buck as well as a signed letter.

Contains 31 bound volumes of Asia magazine, with each of the magazines numbered volumes bound in two parts: volumes 21-22, 28-31, 33 part II, 34-40 part I, 43-44, and 45 part II.

Includes a typescript outline, draft, and revision of the novella China Stage

Includes miscellaneous items related to the former residence of Pearl Buck, the Zhenjiang Pearl S. Buck Research Center, and the 110th anniversary of Buck's birth.

Includes a photo of Pearl Buck with actress Luise Rainer (ca. 1937), a sheet of Pearl Buck postage stamps (1983), a typescript of an untitled article beginning with "...the similarities between Orient and Occident..." (ca. 1960), and two typescript copies of the three act play The White Bird (ca. 1958).

Includes correspondence (1940-1983, undated), a typescript draft of what may be a speech (ca. 1947), and 14 typescript articles that Buck wrote for foreign newspapers (ca. 1945-1946).

Contains a deck of playing cards with an image of Pearl Buck on the back (2017).

Contains a Pearl Buck First Day Cover Envelope (1983).

Includes two 33 1/3 rpm recordings from United China Relief which include talks by Pearl S. Buck and Wendell Willkie among others (1941?), and a cachet for a first day cover (1982).

A House Divided by Pearl S. Buck, audio book recorded onto 12 CDs (boxed set), narrated by Adam Verner, published by Oasis Audio.

Bepari, Rasheeda Begum. Aristocratic Women in Pearl S. Buck's Novels: In Relevance with East Wind: West Wind and Pavilion of Women. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2015. (book, 44 pages)

Greeting card with an illustration of the Pearl S. Buck birthplace.

Three popular publications with writings by or about Buck, including her works the report "The Innocent" (1953) and the article "China's Gifts to Tomorrow" (1943) and the article "Pearl Buck's Children Come Home for a Day" (1962).

John Day Pamphlet No. 18, "Is There a Case for Foreign Missions?" authored by Pearl S. Buck.

NBC Press Photograph of Jen Ying Yen reading the Declaration of Independence in Mandarin on Pearl Buck's "America Speaks to China" series.

The Good Earth collectible plate from 1973. It is in the original box. Included is a certificate explaining that the image on the plate was sketched by Pearl S. Buck and that this is one of a limited edition of plates. It was produced by Creative Worlds, Treviso, Italy.

Includes books and a bar of soap.

Eight volume set of The Living Reed (2015) by Pearl S. Buck, in braille, the cover of which includes the name of Bucheon Pearl S. Buck Memorial Hall, in Korea

1. book in Chinese, titled Earth Pearl (2015) containing art and poetry regarding the life and work of Pearl S. Buck, published by Jiangsu University Press
2. large format book of photographs made to commemorate the opening of the Pearl S. Buck Cultural Park, produced (?) by the Zhenjiang Pearl S. Buck Research Association in 2018
3. bar of soap, bearing an image of Buck and "Bucheon Pearl S. Buck Memorial Hall" in English and Korean, undated

Includes volume one of the braille version of The Living Reed (2015) by Pearl S. Buck (box 32; see entire eight volume set in Addenda of 2019/03/19, 2015-2018, box 30). Also includes bilingual (Korean and English) materials from the 2018 Bucheon Pearl S. Buck International Symposium (box 33), including a poster, program, a fuller program, two copies of the conference proceedings, and a canvas bag.

Pearl Buck figurine.

Includes 6 typed letters signed by Pearl Buck; 2 photographs of Pearl Buck in later life; a Pearl Buck envelope, first day of issue; 2 notecards with the autographs of Buck and Betty Friedan; a United Nations 20th Anniversary envelope, first day of issue, signed by Friedan; and a copy of the book jacket for Friedan's The Feminine Mystique, which contains quotes about the book by Buck.

Contains two copies of the playbill for the New York City Ballet, David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, September, 2015, which includes the program for the dance play "Pearl," based on the life of Pearl S. Buck and conceived by Daniel Ezralow, Arabella Ezralow, Liu Bin, and Angela Xiaolei Tang.

Papers regarding the Coffman family of Greenbrier County, West Virginia; includes genealogical information tracing Pearl Buck's Sydenstricker and Coffman genealogy. Compiled by Marjorie Brookover (nee Coffman).

Includes the following:

-handwritten review by Buck of a book on Japan, William Henry Chamberlain's Japan Over Asia, published in 1938. This review appeared in Asia, Vol. 38, No. 2 (February 1938), page 115,
-handwritten draft of an unpublished short story titled "Mother without Child" (ca. 1940), concerning a woman without children who consoles another woman who has lost her son in the war, and
-three typescript drafts of an article titled "Letter to a Girl", written to a teenage girl concerning sex and the role of women in society

Biographical / historical:

Pearl Sydenstricker Buck was born in Hillsboro, West Virginia, in 1892 to Caroline Stulting Sydenstricker and Absalom Sydenstricker, Southern Presbyterian missionaries who returned to China shortly after their daughter's birth. Pearl was raised and educated in Chinkiang (Zhenjiang), China, but studied in the United States at Randolph Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, when she was seventeen. She returned to China after her graduation in 1914, and in 1917 Pearl married agricultural economist and missionary John Lossing Buck. The Bucks lived in Nanhsuchou (Nanxuzhou) in rural Anhwei (Anhui) Province and later in Nanking (Nanjing), China, until 1934. They had one biological daughter, Carol, who had severe intellectual and physical disabilities, and adopted another daughter, Janice.

Pearl began writing about Chinese peasant life and culture and the interactions between East and West in the 1920s, and her first novel, East Wind, West Wind, was published in 1930. She published the bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Good Earth in 1931, and went on to write more than seventy novels, plays, and short stories and to author numerous articles and essays. Other early books include Sons (1932), A House Divided (1935), The First Wife and Other Stories (1933), All Men are Brothers (1933, translation), The Mother (1934), The Exile (1936), Fighting Angel (1936), and This Proud Heart (1938). In 1938 Pearl Buck was the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.

By 1935, Pearl had divorced her husband and married her publisher and editor, Richard J. Walsh. They settled at Green Hills Farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to be close to Carol, and the Walshes adopted six more children. Pearl was a prolific writer, and most of her fiction remained set in China and the Far East. Other novels include Dragon Seed (1942), Pavilion of Women (1946), God's Men (1951), Come, My Beloved (1953), Imperial Woman (1956), Letter from Peking (1957), and The Living Reed (1963). However, due to personal and political circumstances, Pearl never returned to China after she left in 1934.

Pearl campaigned tirelessly for issues related to Chinese human rights, interracial understanding, and orphaned and disabled children for the rest of her life. In 1949 she founded Welcome House, the first interracial adoption agency in the United States. In 1964 she established the Pearl S. Buck Foundation to provide medical care and education for Amerasian children. Pearl also championed civil rights and women's rights in the United States.

Richard Walsh died in 1960, and in the early 1960s Pearl began a loving relationship with lifelong friend William Ernest Hocking that lasted until Hocking's death in 1966. By 1969, Pearl had moved to Danby, Vermont. Pearl S. Buck died in Vermont in 1973 and is buried at Green Hills Farm in Pennsylvania.

Acquisition information:
Purchase from Apfelbaum, Charles, 1987/01/16 --- ADD of 2006/05/22: Purchase, Wolf's Head Books, 2006 May 22. --- ADD of 2018/05/23: Gift of Haden, Priscilla, 2018 May 23. --- ADD of 2018/06/01: Purchase, internet vendors, 2018 June. --- ADD of 2018/08/16: Purchase, Gregory, Jim, 2018 August. --- ADD of 2018/08/17: Purchase, Good, Kimberly, 2018 August. --- ADD of 2019/10/01: Purchase, Metcalf, Skip, 2019 October. --- ADD of 2020/08/17: Purchase, Lord Durham Rare Books, 2020 August. --- ADD of 2021/04/28: Gift of Musgrave, Grace, 2021 April 28.
Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
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