viblbv01366Clark, John D., PapersJohn D. Clark Papers, 1923-1988 Ms.1988.058Kaitlyn Britt, Intern, and Kira A. Dietz, ArchivistSpecial Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

2015 (CC0 1.0)

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)560 Drillfield DriveNewman Library, Virginia TechBlacksburg, Virginia 24061Business Number: 540-231-6308specref@vt.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-07 13:38:10 -0400.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech John D. Clark Papers Clark, John D., 1907-1988 Ms.1988.058 4.4 Cubic Feet 3 boxes; 1 folder 1923-1988 Please note: This collection is in off-site storage and requires 2-3 days notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives for more information. This collection contains both the professional and personal papers of chemist and science fiction writer John D. Clark (1907-1988), including correspondence, drafts of scientific and science fiction publications, notes, unpublished typescript memoir, diaries (1923-1984), clippings, and photographs. Some material relates to Clark's work as chief chemist at Naval Air Rocket Test Station, Dover, N.J., later Liquid Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. The materials in the collection are in English. Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

 Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

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Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

 Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John D. Clark Papers, Ms1988-058, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

 Source of Acquisition

The John D. Clark Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

 Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the John D. Clark Papers was completed in October 2015.

 Biogragraphical Note

John Drury Clark was born August 15, 1907, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to John Albert Clark and Jeanette Ruth Drury. Clark graduated from Fairbanks High School on May 27, 1925. Clark attended the University of Alaska and California Institute of Technology from 1927-1930. He graduated with a B.S. in Physical Chemistry. Clark later received a Master of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin (1932), and his PhD from Stanford University(1934).

In the early 1930's, Clark worked with General Electric. By 1949, Clark worked with the Naval Air Rocket Program where he had a job until he retired in 1970. Specifically, Clark was the chief chemist at the Naval Air Rocket Test Station and its successor department. He worked in the Liquid Propulsion Laboratory at the Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, New Jersey. Under Clark's direction, a new family of storable high-energy liquid propellants later used in the Apollo program was developed by Navy civilian scientists in 1959.

Clark was married twice, first to soprano singer Mildred Baldwin in 1943. Later he married Inga Pratt, widower of Fletcher Pratt, in 1962. John D. Clark died in July 1988 at age 80 in New Jersey.

Source: John D. Clark. Ancestry Online Family Trees.

Published works "A new periodic chart", Journal of Chemical Education (1933). "Minus Planet," published in Astounding Stories (Apr 1937). Available in Spec Sci Fi PN6120.95.S33 A88. "Space Blister," published in Astounding Stories (Aug 1937). Available in Spec Sci Fi PN6120.95.S33 A88. "A Probable Outline of Conan's Career," with P. Schuyler Miller, published in The Hyborian Age (1938). "A Modern Periodic Chart of Chemical Elements", Science (1950). "The Silicone World", published in Startling Stories (December 1952). Available in Spec Sci Fi PS648.S3 S72. "Introduction" to The Petrified Planet (1952). "An Informal Biography of Conan the Cimmerian," with P. Schuyler Miller, published in The Coming of Conan (1953). "An Informal Biography of Conan the Cimmerian," with P. Schuyler Miller and L. Sprague de Camp, published in Amra, vol. 2, no. 4, (1959). "Science Fact: Dimensions, Anyone?" published in Analog Science Fiction - Science Fact, (November 1966). Available in Spec Sci Fi PN6120.95.S33 A88. Ignition! An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants, Rutgers University Press (1972). Available in Newman Library TL785 C53. Scope and Content

The collection includes Personal (Series I) and Professional Papers (Series II) of chemist and science fiction writer John D. Clark, dating from 1923-1988. Series I: Personal Papers includes various awards and certificates, photographs, diaries from 1924-1984, student papers, articles written by his father, and correspondence from his mother. There is an additional autobiographical manuscript in in Series II written by John A. Clark called "Reminiscences."

Series II: Professional Papers contains correspondence between colleagues and contemporaries, reports, and Clark's science fiction and non-fiction writing. This includes a manuscript of Ignition!, articles on and by John D. Clark, and various shorter pieces of work. It also contains photographs and a large "proclamation" saluting Clark's work, signed by various colleagues.

 Arrangement

This collection in arranged in two series.

Series I is dedicated to personal papers which are divided into the following subseries: A. Biographical Information, B. Diaries, C. Student Work, and D. Papers by John A. Clark and Jeanette Clark. Each subseries is ordered chronologically. If files share a date of origin or are not dated, the files are then organized alphabetically.

Series II contains the professional papers. Series II is divided into sub-series by: A. Correspondence, B. Photographs, C. Administrative Documents, and D. Writing and Related Papers. Correspondence is organized alphabetically by last name. Photographs and Administrative Documents are ordered chronologically.

Sub-series D: Writing and Related Papers, under Series II, is further divided in sub-subseries by manuscript, author, and genre. The sub-subseries are "Non-Fiction on Space," "Reminiscences (John A. Clark)," "Ignition!", "Institute on Man and Science," "Science Fiction Writing," and "Articles by or related to John D. Clark". With the exception of "Reminiscences" and "Ignition!", each sub-subseries is ordered first chronologically and then alphabetically if multiple files share a date or are undated. "Ignition!" and "Reminiscences" are ordered by chapter.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the "John D. Clark Papers" by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

 Archives of American Aerospace Exploration (AAAE) Chemists Science and Technology Science Fiction Clark, John A. Clark, John D., 1907-1988 Clark, Jeanette (Drury) Series I: Personal PapersSubseries A: Biographical Information1907-1980JDC- Certificates, Degrees, societies, Awards, etc.1907-196911California Institute of Technology - Golden Anniversary (Class of 1930)198012American Rocket Society--Membership Certificate196113Resumes, Personal History, Statements1948-196014Retirement Documents197015Subseries B: Photographs1900-1986Family Photographs1900-192016Portraits and Personal Photographs1927-194917Portraits and Personal Photographs1970-198618Negative Photographsn.d.19Subseries C: Diaries1.6 Cubic Feet1924-1984English.Diaries 1-31923-1924110Diaries 4-61924-1926111Diaries 7-91926-1927112Diaries 10-121927-1929113Diaries 13-151929-1932114Diaries 16-181932-1936115Diaries 19-211936-1942116Diaries 22-241943-1947117Diaries 25-271947-1953118Diaries 28-30 (missing 30)1953-1957119Diaries 31-331958-1962120Diaries 34-361963-1966121Diaries 37-391967-1971122Diaries 40-421971-1976123Diaries 43-451977-1981124Diaries 46-471981-1984125Subseries D: Student Workca. 1928-1929Student Papers--Stanford Universityca. 1928English.126Student Papers--Stanford Universityca. 1929English.127Subseries E: John A. and Jeanette Drury Clark Papers1906-1984, n.d.John A. Clark--Letter of Introduction fo JDCn.d.128John A. Clark--University Of Alaska Papers1986129Contract RE: Literary Rights to John A. Clark Memoirs1937130Miscellaneous Correspondence RE: John A. Clark Memoirsn.d. 1950131John A. Clark Memoirs--Outlinen.d.132John A. Clark--Untitled Lettersn.d.133John A. Clark --"Indoor Sports"n.d.134Clark, Jeannette Drury--Letter (Photocopy)1906135John A Clark--Will, Obituary, etc.1931136Series II: Professional PapersSubseries A: Correspondence1931-1986General Correspondence1950-1959137General Correspondence1960-1969138General Correspondence1970-1979139General Correspondence1980-1986140Ament, W.S.--Correspondence1973141Asimov Isaac--Correspondence1961-1984142Bova, Ben--Correspondence1973-1976143Campbell, John W.--Correspondence1963-1969144Ciardi, John--Correspondencen.d.145DeCamp, Sprague--Correspondence1980146Dees, K.W.--Correspondence1964147Dees, K.W.--Correspondence1965148Dees K.W.--Correspondence1966-1967149Dees, K.W.--Correspondence1971150Dees, Clark--Correspondence 1980-198121Depalma, Bruce--Correspondence 197422Dunn, Bruce P. --Correspondence 198623Ferman, Edward L.--Correspondence 197424Frelinghuysen, Peter--Correspondence 1965-197425Halvorsen, Hal--Correspondence 1980-198426Hood, G. Raymond--Correspondence 1966-197227Jomes, Phyllis--Correspondence ca. 1970-197628Knight, Damon--Correspondence 197629Lear, John--Correspondence 1964-1969210Mendenhall, Stephen--Correspondence 1979211Nogales, Rafel De--Correspondence 1931212Okun, Nathan--Correspondence CA.1979-81213Prendergast, Maurice--Correspondence 1943-1949214Snow, Jack--Letter1945215Sugioka, Ichird--Correspondence CA. 1978-82216Young, William E.--Correspondence 1980217Subseries B: Photographs1935-1960Pratt, Fletcher and Inga--PhotographsCA. 1935-56218Pratt, Fletcher and Inga--PhotographsCA. 1935-56219Pratt, Fletcher--Naval War Game PhotographsCA.1940220NARTS--LRPC Period--PhotographsCA. 1955-60English.221Subseries C: Reports, Notes, and Research Materials1930-1980Letters of Commendation1936-1970222"A New Periodic Chart" (JDC)1933223"Dielectric Properties"--Various Articles by John D. Clark and others1933-1935224"The Dumbell Theory of Light" (JDC)1935225"Guide for Technical Report Writing" (JDC)1950226Position DescriptionsCA. 1950-66227"Considerations in the Choice of a Rocket Propellent" (JDC)1951228"The Heavy Cruiser" (JDC)1953229"The Corrosivity of Fuming Nitric Acid" (JDC)1955230Periodic Table of IsotopesCA.1955231Patent DataCA. 1956-64232"Rocket Juice" (JDC)CA. 1955233"What Makes A high Energy Propellant?" (JDC)CA. 1955234"The INQD of ISP Calculations" (JDC)1958-1961235"Dark Horse in The Propellant Race" (JDC)1958236"Comprehensive Survey of the Liquid Propellant Rocket Field" 1960237High Energy Liquid Monopropellants--Report1960238Remarks of Chairman, Session on High Energy Monopropellants, 3rd Monopropellant Conference"CA 1960239"Titrimetric Analysis of Mixtures of Hydrazine and Methyl Hydrazine"1961240Pennsalt Chemicals Corp.--Project 105989 Interim Report1961241"Titrimetric Analysis of Mixtures of Hydrazine an Methyl Hydrazine" (JDC and Joseph R. Smith)1961242Picatinny Arsenal Reports (JDC)1962-1969243Dimensional Analysis--Miscellaneous NotesCA. 1965-67244Dimensional Analysis--"Dimensions, Anyone"(JDC)CA. 1966245Dimensional Analysis--"Dimensions, Anyone?" Correspondence1966246"Oxidizers for Prepackaged Missiles for Ship Board Use" (JDC)CA. 1966-72247Reviews of MSS for Rutgers University Press1972-1973248Dimensional Analysis-- "Towards a Rational System of Physical Units"CA. 1975249Commercial Rocketry1982-1983250 U.S. Naval Air Rocket Test Station Reports (JDC)1951-1954251 U.S. Naval Air Rocket Test Station Reports (JDC)1955-1956252 U.S. Naval Air Rocket Test Station Reports (JDC)1957-1958253Particles--Articles, Notes, etc. CA. 1958254Dees, K.W.--Miscellaneous Tables and Notes CA. 1964-67255CryptographyCA. 1974256Miscellaneous Notes and FilesCA. 1930-80257Subseries D: Writing and Related Papers1972-1987, n.d.Sub-subseries 1: Non-Fiction on Space0.4 Cubic Feet1960-1971, n.d.English.The Huborian Age by Robert E Howard, abridged by JDC--photocopyn.d.31MS for a book on Rockets by JDC and John GordonCA. 196032"Introduction to the Space Age"(JDC)CA. 196033"How to be a Cosmologist"CA. 197134Sub-subseries 2 :Reminiscences (John A. Clark) 1.1 Cubic Feetn.d.English.Reminiscences--Chapter 1n.d.35Reminiscences--Chapter 2n.d.36Reminiscences--Chapter 3n.d.37Reminiscences--Chapter 4n.d.38Reminiscences--Chapter 5n.d.39Reminiscences--Chapter 6n.d.310Reminiscences--Chapter 7n.d.311Reminiscences--Chapter 8n.d.312Reminiscences--Chapter 9n.d.313Reminiscences--Chapter 10n.d.314Reminiscences--Appendixes n.d.315Sub-subseries 3: Ignition!1.8 Cubic Feetn.d.English.Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch1)n.d.316Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch II)n.d.317Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch III)n.d.318Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch IV)n.d.319Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch V)n.d.320Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch VI)n.d.321Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch VII)n.d.322Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch VIII)n.d.323Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch IX)n.d.324Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch X)n.d.325Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch XI)n.d.326Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch XII)n.d.327Ignition--Photocopy Transcript(Ch XIII)n.d.328Ignition ! (Through CH 4)-- Marked: "Extra Copy Unedited"n.d.329Ignition ! (CH 5-10)-- Marked: "Extra Copy Unedited"n.d.330Ignition ! (CH 11-END)-- Marked: "Extra Copy Unedited"n.d.331Ignition--Corrections and Correspondencen.CA. 1970-72332Ignition!--ReviewsCA. 1972-73333Sub-subseries 4:Institute on Man and Science1 Cubic Feet1950-1984English.Bread Loaf Conferences1950-1972English.334Institute On Man and Science:"A Week with Isaac Asimov "1975335Institute On Man and Science:"A Community in Space "1976336Institute On Man and Science:"Predicting the Future " and "The Future of Education"1977337Institute On Man and Science:"The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence"1979338Institute On Man and Science:"Treaties For Space"1981339Institute On Man and Science:"Braving New Worlds: The Craft of Science Fiction"1982340Rensselaerville Institute:"Asimov '83: What if?"1983341Institute On Man and Science:"Asimov 1984"1984342Institute On Man and Science--Miscellaneousn.d.343Sub-subseries 5: Science Fiction Writing2.1 Cubic Feet1937-1987, n.d.English.First Fandom1972-1979344First Fandom1980-1987345Origional Cartoonsn.d.346Untitled Manuscriptsn.d.347"The Adventures of Commodore Goldblatt: The Affair of Diego MaLaria"(JDC)n.d.348"The Adventures of Commodore Goldblatt: The Episode of the Poker Game" (JDC)n.d.349"Argosy on Venus"n.d.350"Flash"(JDC)n.d.351"La Grand Parade"n.d.352"Lost Interlude" (JDC)n.d.353"Polar Island" (JDC)n.d.354"Rendezvous off Deimos" (JDC)n.d.355"Ron Hubbard, The Hunter of Baar" (JDC)n.d.356"Some Words of Practical Advice"n.d.357"Viridians Mutabile" (JDC and D. Mark Baldwin)n.d.358"Weight" (JDC)n.d.359"Gomorrah in the Mist" (JDC)1937360Silverman, S.H. StoriesCA. 1947361"The Housing of Mad Scientists"CA. 1951362"Trap Door Spiders" (JDC)1975-1987364"Twayne Triplets"CA. 1952363Sub-subseries 6: Articles by or Relating to John D. Clark0.7 Cubic Feetc. 1938-1985, n.d.English."Reapportionment Without Pain" (JDC)n.d.365Pratt, Fletcher--Naval War Games-- ArticlesCA. 1938-65366Newspaper and Magazine Articles on JDC1941-1973367Articles by Others1951-1968368Letters to Editor 1967-1985369Books to GetCA. 1970-85370New York TimesCA. 1982371Subseries E: Oversize Materials,Joke Proclamation from Colleagues19591