The Nien Cheng collection documents the life and career of acclaimed Life and Death in Shanghai author, Madame Nien Cheng. In the collection are original manuscripts of Life and Death in Shanghai, including drafts hand-written by Cheng in Chinese. Other written works such as published articles, book introductions, and recovered unpublished material can be found as well. This collection also contains both personal and professional correspondence, news clippings and excerpts, other periodicals, photographic material, personal notebooks and appointment books, awards, plaques, and certificates, lecture circuit records, audio visual material, and memorabilia and miscellaneous ephemeral items.

Researchers will find in this collection material relevant to Cheng's authorship, and the processes involved in the publication of Life and Death in Shanghai in 1986. The archive accentuates Madame Cheng’s resolve and determination to continually speak out against human right abuses and her dedication to her Christian faith.