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John Hall Brett papers

 Collection
Identifier: GTM-GAMMS216

Scope and Contents Note

The John Hall Brett Papers comprise one (1) box containing letters regarding Brett's appointment to the position of manager of the Bank of Siam, miscellaneous financial materials relative to the Bank's affairs, and various photographs (including Dr. Sun Yat Sen and two opium smokers) dating from the early 20th century depicting Far Eastern life. The photographs in this collection provide interested Asian scholars with a vivid representation of the life activities of various Far Eastern cultures (including Chinese, Thai, and Japanese) during the early part of the 20th century prior to World War II.

Dates: c. 1910's - 1941.

Size: 1.5 linear feet.

Number of boxes: 1.

Dates

  • 1910-1941
  • Majority of material found within 1930-1940

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Biographical note

John Hall Brett, financier and banker, was born in Auburn, Maine on September 25, 1884. In 1905, he graduated from Bowdoin College and became associated with the International Banking Corporation, a forerunner of what is now "Citibank," in London. Brett was posted to a number of locations in the Far East, i.e. China, Japan, Manchuria, and Indochina. He was appointed as the first American manager of the Bank of Siam, in Bangkok, owned by the Siamese Royal family and operated mainly by British personnel. In 1931, the Bank was on the brink of insolvency and it was during Brett's seven year tenure that it regained its solid financial footing. For his services the then King conferred the Order of the Crown of Siam on him, a remarkable honor; few foreigners were awarded such a distinction. Brett was married to Tedesco ("Teddy") Greenley in Tokyo, a union which lasted over forty years. Mrs. Brett accompanied her husband on his Far Eastern sojourns. They had no children. John Hall Brett died in Santa Barbara, California on December 21, 1956.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Provenance

Provenance: Gift of Frederick D. Greenly, September 1984.

Processed by Anna T. Zakarija.

Date: October 10, 1984.

Title
John Hall Brett papers
Status
In Progress
Author
Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections
Description rules
Local Practice
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057