Wickberg, Edgar

The Chinese Canadian Collection grew out of a number of research projects undertaken by three University of British Columbia professors, Edgar Wickberg (History), Graham Johnson (Anthropology) and William Willmott (Sociology), which culminated in the publication of the book, From China to Canada: A History of the Chinese Community in Canada (1982). Part of a series of social histories devoted to the study of various ethnic groups in Canada, the book was published in association with the Dept. of the Secretary of State. Also contributing to the book and the background research were Harry Con (Vancouver Chinatown businessman) and R.J. Con who, until the time of his death, served with the Secretary of State. The gathering of the material in this collection began with some interviews in the late 1960s. In the early 1970s, the group received two major multi-year grants from the Secretary of State to prepare a history of the Chinese in Canada and from the Canada Council to study the organizational adaptation of Vancouver Chinese. It was in the conduct of these enquiries that most of the present collection, dating to 1979, was assembled. More recent, related materials were added later.

From the description of Chinese Canadian research collection. 1885-1996. (University of British Columbia Library). WorldCat record id: 606455232

Edgar Wickberg was a professor of history at UBC from 1969 to 1992. Born in Oklahoma, he served in the U.S. Army before earning a BA and an MA in history from the University of Oklahoma. In the 1950's he studied Chinese and Japanese language and Asian history at the University of California (Berkeley), as well as studying the Chinese in the Philippines, and completed his PhD in 1961 with a thesis on modern Chinese history. Wickberg taught at the University of Kansas from 1960 to 1969, with extended periods of research in Taiwan. After joining the faculty of UBC he taught courses on modern China and modern Chinese economic and social history, and made several research trips to mainland China, mainly to Guangzhou (Canton), Nanjing (Nanking), and Hong Kong. In 1992 he was named Professor Emeritus at UBC. His main research interests are the history and current relationships of Chinese people outside China; land tenure systems in southern China since the 16th century; voluntary associations and ethnicity in Chinese society, and among overseas Chinese communities; and comparative histories of Chinese communities in Southeast Asia and North America. Wickberg also helped establish an exchange relationship between UBC and Guangzhou's Zhongshan University, and was a member of the Vancouver Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee. He has published a number of articles, and two books: From China to Canada: A History of the Chinese Communities in Canada, which he wrote in collaboration with four other researchers as well as edited (1982), and The Chinese in Philippine Life (1965).

From the description of Edgar Wickberg fonds. 1952-1997. (University of British Columbia Library). WorldCat record id: 606455425