Charles B. Clark papers

Charles Branch Clark (1913-2003) was born on June 5th in Ellicott City, Maryland, to Louis T. Clark (1872-1957) and Rebecca Branch Clark (1878-1955). He graduated from Washington College in 1934, where he worked on the Elm, and was part of the Mt. Vernon Literary Society. He was also a student-athlete playing football, basketball, and Lacrosse. He was a member of the Silver Pentagon. After graduation began teaching at various high schools. Then in 1936, he received his master’s from Duke and his doctorate from the University of North Carolina in 1941. Clark then taught at West Georgia College but took a leave in 1942 to serve in the Marine Corps for WWII in the Pacific theater. A decorated soldier, he returned to his post at West Georgia after the war. In 1946, he came to Washington College as a professor of History. While a member of the faculty, he revived the lacrosse program, which had been functioning as a club rather than an official sport. He served as the Dean of Men for ten years. In 1957, he took a position at Monmouth College, then at Upper Iowa University in 1960. Clark served as the acting President for Salisbury University from 1977 to 1978, later retiring as chair of the history department in 1984. Clark authored the two-volume study The Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. Clark remained active with Washington College, serving as a member of the Board of Visitors & Governors, professor emeritus, member of the Athletic Hall of Fame, and custodian of the Porter medal. He passed on December 11, 2003.