Peter Salovey President | Yale University
Peter Salovey President | Yale University
Beatrice (Betsy) Bartlett ’80 Ph.D., professor emerita of Chinese history, passed away on April 1 in Branford, Connecticut at the age of 95. Bartlett was among the first U.S. scholars to research the Qing archives in Beijing, following the normalization of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China.
Described as "a great loss for Qing studies" by Peter Perdue, a professor emeritus of Chinese history at Yale, Bartlett's contributions to the field were significant. Perdue highlighted her expertise in the Qing archival materials, noting her influence and guidance in the research community.
Kent Guy, professor emeritus of Chinese history at the University of Washington, expressed, “The whole field should be celebrating her life and work. My books would not have been possible without her help, and I think there are many others who would say the same.”
Kenneth Pomeranz, a professor of modern Chinese history at the University of Chicago, shared, “Betsy has been an enormous influence on me, and on others. I was in what I am fairly sure was her first Qing documents class at Yale, and I know all of us benefited enormously, not only from what she taught, but from the example she set.”
Tobie Meyer-Fong, a professor of history at Johns Hopkins University, also paid tribute, stating, “Betsy was New Qing history before there was such a thing!”
Beyond her academic achievements, Bartlett's personal story was equally remarkable. Born in New Haven, she hailed from a long line of distinguished Yale-affiliated ancestors, which included notable figures in Yale's history.
Bartlett's legacy extends beyond her scholarly pursuits, as she continued her research long after retirement and left a lasting impact on her colleagues and students. The Bartlett family and Yale University will hold a service in her memory on October 19, 2024, at Battell Chapel in New Haven.
Beatrice Bartlett's pioneering work in the field of Chinese history and her dedication to the study of Qing archives have left an indelible mark on the academic community, ensuring her legacy will endure for years to come.
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