Irving M. Clark, Jr. papers, 1938-1977

Scope and Content: Correspondence and supporting files of Sand Point Park Citizen's Advisory Committee and Pike Place Market Historical Commission, 1964-75.

Scope and Content: Correspondence, speeches, and related material, 1968-1977.

Scope and Content: Correspondence, case files, campaign materials, speeches, and writings, 1938-78.

The third increment of papers of Irving M. Clark, Jr., Seattle attorney and civic leader, has been arranged within several subgroups reflecting his numerous professional and civic activities. The first and largest subgroup, papers of Clark's private law practice, includes three case files which document his specialization in environmental law. In the two larger cases Clark represented local residents and conservation groups in suits against state and federal agencies over the acquisition of land for Interstate 90. As a conservationist Clark corresponded with local conservation-oriented groups and individuals. These letters have been indexed as part of the Conservation subject series (Box 5) within the Law Practice subgroup.

As Chairman of the Environmental and Natural History Committee of the American Revolution Bicentennial Committee, Clark collected and filed minutes of the Executive Board and other general materials of the A.R.B.C. Clark was also a trustee of the Civic Unity Committee (1951-54), a Seattle human rights organiza-tion, and the minutes document his contributions.

Throughout his life Clark performed a variety of organizing and fund-raising duties at the local level for the State and County Democratic Party. He was a delegate to the 1948 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. In 1964 Clark mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Mayor against James Braman. All of these activities are documented in the Democratic Party, Washington subgroup.

In the mid-60's through early 70's, Clark hosted a popular King-Radio call-in show. The texts of just a few of his lively commentaries are included in the Irving Clark Show subgroup.

Another large subgroup, the Lakeside School, records Clark's tenure (ca. 1950-52; 1969-75) on its Board of Trustees. Clark was also a Washington State Highway Commissioner (1964-65) and the papers in this subgroup consist mainly of a report on the Commission's organization and operation since 1905.

Clark's personal papers include letters to his family written during his under-graduate days at Harvard (1937-41), as well as a copy of his senior research paper about the State of Washington's lumber industry in 1941.

Papers of his grandmother, Mary Jewell Clark, largely her correspondence concerning financial investments, and a few legal documents of Darrah Corbet 0:rving: Clark's father-in-law ) form separate subgroups within Clark's personal paoers.

Clark died suddenly after a surfing accident in Hawaii. Unfortunately-, many of his files were destroyed shortly after his death. These document only a segment of his far-ranging interests and activities.