| Piry Manuscript Collection | Queen's University Belfast |
|---|---|
| Collection | |
|---|---|
Identifier |
MS 19 |
Description |
Collection of private papers of Théophile Piry (fl. 1880-1915), Commissioner of Customs and first Postmaster General of the Imperial Postal Service, China, 1911-1915. This collection contains a range of material bearing on Piry’s later career in the Chinese administration including drafts, notes, copies of correspondence, memoranda, reports etc relating to customs affairs in Lappa and Macao and, later, the establishment of the modern postal service in China from 1911 until Piry’s retirement in 1915. Of particular interest are the various papers concerning the development of the Imperial Postal Service, most notably in relation to arrangements with foreign counties (the so-called ‘Guest Post’ system) and the formalisation of relations with these countries both individually and through membership of the Universal Postal Union. Included can be found copies of postal agreements between China and France (1900), Germany (1905), Russia (1909) and Japan (1910), correspondence relating to China’s entry to the Universal Postal Union, 1913-1915 and two historical notes and analyses concerning the development of the postal service (U-Tchau) in China. |
Strengths |
The Piry Papers are a significant research source for students of late 19th and early 20th century China, providing an important commentary on the emergence of Imperial China as a modern state, particularly in terms of the development of its postal system. The collection is also important for students interested in the career of Sir Robert Hart (1835-1911). Piry was one of Hart's protégé's in China in the Customs Service and the collection includes a number of official documents concerning Piry's official dealings with him. |
Physical Characteristics |
The collection contains approx 7 folders/files of correspondence and memoranda, and 58 individual documents consisting of reports, petitions, agreements etc. |
Languages |
Chinese;English;French |
Collection Temporal Date Range |
1880 - 1915 |
Accumulation Date Range |
1880 - 1915 |
Contents Date Range |
1880 - 1915 |
Collection Type |
Collection.Library.Text.Special |
Accrual |
Policy: Closed
Method: Purchase
Periodicity: Closed |
Access |
The collection is available for reference only under supervised access in the Special Collections Reading Room at The McClay Library. Further information is available here: http://libguides.qub.ac.uk/specialcollections |
Legal Status |
Queen's University Belfast has legal ownership of this collection. Queen's does not hold copyright for the complete collection. |
Custodial History |
Purchased by Queen's University Belfast |
Description or Catalogue |
Piry Manuscript Collection listing: |
Publications Note |
Archive Collection Only |
| Collector | |
|---|---|
Name |
Théophile Piry (fl. 1880-1915) |
History |
Government official serving under Sir Robert Hart (1835-1911) in the Imperial Customs Service of China. Occupied a number of official positions under Hart including Commissioner of Customs, Lappa, c 1898. He went on to become the first Postmaster General of the Imperial Chinese Post Office when this was formed as a separate entity from the Customs Service in 1911. He held this position until his retirement from office in 1915. |
| Owner | |
|---|---|
Organisation |
Queen's University Belfast |
Role |
Academic Institution |
Telephone |
+44 (0)28 9024 5133 |
Fax |
+44 (0)28 9024 7895 |
History |
Queen's University Belfast was formerly established as 'Queen's College, Belfast' by Queen Victoria in 1845 as one of a network of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland alongside Cork and Galway. It was raised to the status of a full university in 1908 with its own Charter and Statutes. When Queen's College first opened its doors in 1849, there were 20 professors and 90 matriculated students all based in the main Lanyon building off University Road, Belfast. Since then, the University has grown considerably both in reputation and stature reflecting its status as one of the oldest universities in the UK. Now catering to some 1,300 academics and 17,000 full and part-time students, the University offers courses and research opportunities in Agriculture & Food Science, Arts, Economics & Social Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Science, Engineering, Education, Law and Theology based in centres within several miles of the original site, as well as a Marine Laboratory at Portaferry, a campus at Armagh City and outreach centres in Omagh and Newcastle and a nursing campus at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Notable persons to have come through Queen’s doors include Seamus Heaney, a recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Mary McAleese, the current President of Ireland and a former senior officer at Queen's, David Trimble, a former member of teaching staff and a joint recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace and superstar actor Liam Neeson. |
| Location | |
|---|---|
Name |
Queen's University Belfast |
Address |
The McClay Library |
County |
Antrim |
Website |
|
Access Control |
The McClay Library operates a controlled entry system. Members are required to use their Queen’s staff, student or library card to obtain admission. |
Role |
Librarian |
Phone |
00442890976333 |