University Archives News

Film: To Lhasa in Disguise

William Montgomery McGovern (1897-1964) was a Northwestern professor of political science, as well as a noted adventurer, anthropologist, and journalist. He was allegedly the first Westerner to visit the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, as he documented in his book To Lhasa in Disguise (1924). The Archives has a collection of his papers from 1919-1967.

As a companion to this book, the British Exploration Syndicate produced filmed highlights of McGovern's journey, offering outsiders a first look at Lhasa. The Archives is now able to present this film online.

Click here to view the film. (Approx. 25 minutes, RealPlayer)