| Description | Typescript draft written in 1969 but some chapters reproduced from earlier works written in the 1940s. Largely chronological with some chapters digressions by theme or incident. The autobiography focuses on her career, perspective on international political events in her lifetime and her experience as a foreigner living abroad. It begans after her graduation in 1917 and continues until her retirement in 1964.
Her career included: Women's Army Auxiliary Corp during the First World War; teaching in Birmingham, Canada, China, Ghana and Nigeria; Christian aid work in China, London and Geneva. Some of the organisations that employed her include I Fang Collegiate Girls School, YWCA, University of Hunan, Kumasi College of Technology, Nigerian College of Technology and UNESCO. She also travelled in the UK, Germany, Italy, Palestine, India, Shanghai, Japan, United States, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya.
People referenced include: Zeng Baosun (historically westernised as Pao Swen Tseng) and Dr Violet Grubb in relation to teaching at I Fang; Baroness Mary Stocks in relation to Westfield College at Oxford during World War 2 (pg 176); Chairman Mao Zedong (pg 170-3); Chiang Kai-shek (pg 173-4); Jawaharlal Nehru 1951 (pg 174).
Key historical events experienced: Communist uprisings and Civil War 1927-37 and Second Sino-Japanese war 1925-1945 in China; London Blitz 1941; touring post war Germany in 1946; transition from colonial rule to independence in various African nations 1950s-60s.
Please note that the language you may encounter in this item reflects the period in which it was written and Galbraith's own perspective. She uses words and sterotypes around disability and race now recognised as harmful. She also paraphrases the anti-semitic views of others. This item also contains descriptions of executions and concentration camps. Please apply to the archivist for a specific list of terms or content you may encounter if you have any concerns before viewing the item. |