Biographical/historical information

Merlin R. Doggett, a retired tobacconist of Washington, N.C., lived in China from 1917 until 1935 as an employee of the British-American Tobacco Company and the Universal Leaf Tobacco Company of China, Inc. He was involved in both sales and leaf operations and taught farmers in the interior of China to grow American tobaccos.

Scope and arrangement

Mr. Doggett discusses bright leaf flue-cured tobacco culture and marketing in China. Included are his descriptions of problems between the foreign tobacco companies and Chinese labor; Chinese law, courts, and justice, especially public executions; treatment of the Chinese and Japanese by foreigners; relations among foreign missionaries and businessmen; turmoil within China; and reminiscences of his life in China.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of Merlin R.Doggett

Processing information

Processed by M. Elmore; C. Carter, February 1984

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Repository does not own copyright to the oral history collection. Permission to cite, reproduce, or broadcast must be obtained from both the repository and the participants in the oral history, or their heirs.

Metadata Rights Declaration

General note

1917-1935

Key terms

Personal Names

Doggett, Merlin R.

Corporate Names

British-American Tobacco Co. (China)--Employees
British-American Tobacco Co. (China)--History
Universal Leaf Tobacco Co.--History

Topical

Americans--China--20th century
Flue-cured tobacco--China
Tobacco industry--China

Places

China--Description and travel
China--Politics and government--20th century
China--Social conditions--20th century

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