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David A. Clarke papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS2010

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence, subject files, campaign and election records, clippings, legal documents, photographs, audio and video recordings, and artifacts. Materials in subject files pertain to D.C. legislation, organizations, neighborhoods, businesses, and individuals. Correspondence includes letters from constituents as well as legislative drafts and proposals, reports of the Council, memoranda, articles, and invitations to events. Materials date from 1974 to 1997.

These papers were received in two separate donations, one in 1990 and the second after Clarke's death in 1997. These accessions became two separate series. Before ordering a box, please note the series to which it belongs.

Dates

  • 1974-1997

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use note

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical/Historical note

David A. Clarke (1943-1997) served as the Ward One Representative on the Council of the District of Columbia from 1975 to 1982, and served as Chairman of the Council between 1983 and 1991. In 1993, he was elected to complete the term of the late John A. Wilson, and in 1995 he was reinstated to serve another four-year term, where he served until his death in 1997.

Clarke was a member of the National Board of Directors of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund-Washington Committee. He grew up in the Skyland and Shaw areas of Washington, D.C. and attended public schools in the District. He received a B.A. in religion from George Washington University and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law.

The David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of the District of Columbia was named for Clarke in 1998.

Extent

211 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

David A. Clarke (1943-1997) served as the Ward One Representative on the Council of the District of Columbia from 1975 to 1982, and served as Chairman of the Council between 1983 and 1991. In 1993, he was elected to complete the term of the late John A. Wilson, and in 1995 he was reinstated to serve another four-year term, where he served until his death in 1997. This collection contains correspondence, subject files, campaign and election records, clippings, legal documents, photographs, and artifacts. Materials date from 1974 to 1997.

Arrangement note

This collection is arranged in two series according to when the papers were received. Part 1 of the collection was received in 1990, and Part 2 was received after Clarke's death in 1997.

Physical Location

Materials are stored off-site, and will require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Gift of the Honorable David A. Clarke, Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, 1990 [1991.002]. Additional accessions were received from the estate of David A. Clarke in 1997 and 2000.

Reparative Description Project

This finding aid was revised in 2022 to address derogatory descriptive language identified in numerous folder titles related to mental illness and disability. As this description was provided by the record creator(s) the description was not edited or removed, but additional information was provided in an Historic Context note at each folder level in order to add context. A copy of the finding aid prior to these reivsions was retained. To view that finding aid please use Pre-revision August 2022 finding aid of David A. Clarke papers

Title
Guide to the David A. Clarke papers, 1974-1997
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America