Elon H. Clark Papers, 1920-1991, bulk 1940-1973

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Summary

Creator:
Clark, Elon H.
Abstract:
Contains the personal and professional papers of Elon H. Clark (1909-2001), who served as coordinator and professor of the Department of Medical Illustration from 1934 to 1974. Also contains materials pertaining to the establishment and operation of many departments within the Duke University Medical Center including the Medical Illustration and Audiovisual Education (both now part of Educational Media Services in the Duke University School of Medicine), the Facial Prostheses Unit, and Medical Center Archives. Types of materials include correspondence, reports, memoranda, budgets, planning materials, sketches, illustrations, reprints, clippings, photographs, short writings, grant materials, rosters, and memorabilia. Major subjects include the Duke University Medical Center, Duke University Medical Center Archives, memorabilia, hospital planning, medical illustration, prostheses, and implants. Major correspondents include W. C. Davison, Sam Agnello, William G. Anlyan, and Barnes Woodhall. Materials range in date from 1920 to 1991, with the bulk dating from 1940 to 1973.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet (2 cartons)
Language:
English
Collection ID:
MC.0036

Background

Scope and content:

Contains the personal and professional papers of Elon H. Clark, coordinator and professor of the Department of Medical Illustration (1934-1974), as well as materials pertaining to the establishment and operation of many departments within the Duke University Medical Center including the Medical Illustration and Audiovisual Education (both now part of Educational Media Services in the Duke University School of Medicine), the Facial Prostheses Unit, and Medical Center Archives. Types of materials include correspondence, reports, memoranda, budgets, meeting minutes, planning materials, sketches, illustrations, reprints, clippings, photographs, short writings, grant materials, rosters, and memorabilia. Materials range in date from 1920 to 1991, with the bulk dating from 1940 to 1973.

Biographical / historical:

Born in New York City in 1909 to Henriette and Elon Sweet Clark, Elon Henry Clark graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology (1931) and then from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medical Art (1933). At Johns Hopkins University, Clark was appointed instructor of medical art and studied under Max Brodel, a leading medical artist. Clark left Johns Hopkins in 1934 to come to Duke University. In 1935, Clark was appointed director of the Department of Medical Art and Illustration. As the director, Clark led a service-oriented research program that concentrated on the development of improved cosmetic prostheses, particularly facial restorations. Medical Illustration staff was also responsible for the coordination of pamphlets, charts, illustrations, and photographs used in many Duke University and Duke University Medical Center publications.
In the years that followed, Clark received further appointments at Duke and served as a consultant in medical illustration at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham. He took a six-month leave of absence in 1949 to serve as the Veteran Administration's art and photographic section chief in Washington, D.C.. His work with the Veterans Administration involved the production of visual aids for teaching and publication. Clark was granted full professorship at Duke University in 1952 and thereafter broadened his responsibilities, becoming a special assistant to the vice president in the area of archives. Clark, along with Barnes Woodhall and G.S.T. Cavanagh, was instrumental in developing the Duke University Medical Center Archives. In 1968, Clark began collecting official papers, photographs, printed materials, and interviews pertaining to the history and business of the Duke University Medical Center. Materials collected by Clark formed the base of the Duke University Medical Center Archives, formally established in 1977.
In addition to his duties as Coordinator and Professor of Medical Illustration, Clark also worked with Sam Agnello to establish audiovisual education resources for the Duke University Medical Center, and directed the Facial Prostheses Unit. He also coordinated portrait appraisal and placement, visited select hospital patients, arranged for memorials within buildings, and worked extensively with Duke University hospitals to coordinate a color-coded navigational scheme known as SEDO. In 1966, he designed and produced a new identifying symbol on behalf of the university.
The Department of Medical Art and Illustration became the Division of Audiovisual Education in 1966, and consisted of three branches: medical art, medical photography, and medical television. In 1997, Audiovisual Education became the Division of Educational Media Services, and consisted of four branches: medical photography, medical art, instructional television, and media coordination. The division was dissolved in 2005.
After his 1974 retirement, Clark was the first president of the Duke University Retiree Association, formed in 1983. As a charter member of the Association of Medical Illustrators, he became chairman of its board of governors, and served on many of its committees. Clark was frequently consulted on issues of illustration quality and intellectual property. He also served for a time as president of the Children's Museum in Durham (now the Museum of Life and Science), as a member of the Warren Wilson College advisory board, and as a founding member and secretary of the Duke-Semans Fine Arts Foundation.
Elon H. Clark died in 2001. He was married to Helen Greene and had three daughters.

Acquisition information:
Accession A1976.0100 (transferred by Elon H. Clark, May 2003), Accession A1975.0111 (transferred by Elon H. Clark, May 2003), Accession A1976.0195 (transferred by Elon H. Clark, May 2003), A2004.070 (August 2004)
Custodial history:

Transfer; circa 1978

Processing information:

Processed by Archives staff; updated by Emily Glenn: June 2003

Arrangement:
Organized into the following series: Medical Illustration Department, 1954-1978; Audiovisual Education, 1964-1971; Correspondence, 1920-1977; Subject Files, 1968-1977; Committees and Projects, 1963-1976; Medical Center Interviews, 1964-1965; Reprints and Short Writings, 1940-1970; Materials Designed by Elon Clark, 1940-1973; Other Materials, 1933-1991; Photographs, 1944-1975.
Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

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Restrictions:

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Terms of access:

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Elon H. Clark Papers, Duke University Medical Center Archives.