Bryn Mawr College Special Collections
Speer Family Papers
"A Guide to the Collection" - Compiled Sept 1983 - (Printed, not online, ask a librarian for the full finding aid)
Robert Elliot Speer
Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missionaries of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (held for 46 years).
He was one of the world leaders of the Protestant missionary movement during first half of 20th century - many trips to Far East and South America.
Emma (Doll) Baily Speer
The summer of 1925 sailed to China as a missionary under Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. English teacher and later dean at Women's College at Yenching University in Peking.
Boxes of Interest
9?: Outgoing Letters of Robert Elliot Speer (Folder 5?)
10: Letters of Robert Elliot Speer to Margaret Bailey Speer
- "Subsequent to her departure for China in August, 1925, his letters ask for and give much information on China and the China missions for which he was responsible. His discussions...present a more informal version of his work for the Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church
12-19: Letters of Robert Elliot Speer to to his wife, Emma Bailey Speer. 1892-1947 - Includes much information on his travel abroad working for the missionary board.
35-38: Margaret Bailey Speer's letters from China, 1925-1943.
"The papers...document her various roles as language student, teacher of English, Acting Dean, Dean of Women's College at Yenching University...very many of her letters home contain specific information on the volatile and chaotic political climate in China prior to WWII and the impact of that climate on the student s and the life at the University."
ex/. May 26, 1929 "I wonder if it is ever possible for a foreigner to work almost entirely among uneducated people without feeling patronizing and somewhat set apart - no matter how much he may 'love' them."
Box 32: Letters from Yenching by MBS - 232 pages.
47: "3 small albums of Yenching views, mostly buildings"
48: Photographs taken of RES while on trips abroad (...Asia...); MBS at Yenching ~1930; Large group of MBS in China from 1920's through 1938