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Charles Clement French Papers, 1914-1971
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- French, C. Clement (Charles Clement), 1901-1988
- Title
- Charles Clement French Papers
- Dates
- 1914-1971 (inclusive)19141971
- Quantity
- 4.5 Linear feet of shelf space, (7 Boxes)
- Collection Number
- Cage 310 (collection)
- Summary
- Correspondence, photographs, memorabilia and other personal papers related to Washington State University President C. Clement French's academic and professional career.
- Repository
-
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open and available for research use.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Charles Clement French was born in 1901 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. French held three degrees in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, including a Ph.D. in physical chemistry. In 1925, French married Helen Augusta Black (1902-1976) and they had two children.
He was dean of the college at Randolph Macon College in Virginia, an administrator at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech), and vice president at Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (Texas A&M). In 1952 French was selected to be the sixth President of the State College of Washington (which was renamed Washington State University during his term).
French served as chairman of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, and the Washington State Constitutional Revision Commission, as well as being a member of the Board of Trustees for the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). He retired in 1966 and was honored in 1968 with the university's new administration building being named for him. He received honorary degrees from Whitworth College, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of Punjab. French died in Pullman, Washington in 1988.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Correspondence, photographs, memorabilia and other personal papers related to Washington State University President C. Clement French's academic and professional career.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Preferred Citation
[Item description]
Charles Clement French Papers, 1914-1971 (Cage 310)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
Charles Clement French donated this collection to the Washington State University Libraries in 1971.
Processing Note
This collection was processed by Lawrence R. Stark in July of 1973.
Related Materials
Charles Clement French Papers, 1967-1969 (Cage 490)
Charles Clement French Century 21 Exposition Planning Records, 1958-1962 (Cage 727)
State College of Washington Office of the President: Wilson Compton and Charles Clement French Records, 1948-1956 (Archives 12)
Washington State University Office of the President: Charles Clement French Records, 1957-1966 (Archives 203)
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Northeast High school, Philadelphia, Penn.
Grade reports, essay written by French, and commencement program 40 items
|
1914-1918 |
| 1 | 1 | Northeast High school, Philadelphia, Penn.
Correspondence 40 items
|
1936 |
| 1 | 2 | University of Pennsylvania. Grade reports,
transcripts, student souvenirs, drafts and printed copies of Ph.D.
thesis 30 items
|
1918-1927 |
| 1 | 3 | Randolph-Macon Women's College. (Lynchburg,
Va.) Clippings, lists of students, The History of Randolph-Macon Women's
College by W. W. Smith (1909), and chemistry project report for navy
contract 70 items
|
1932-1948 |
| 1 | 4 | Letters re: move to Virginia Polytechnic
Institute 40 items
|
Feb. 1949 |
| 1 | 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Correspondence, VPI magazine, and bulletins 30 items
|
1949-1951 |
| 1 | 6 | Education while in South. Report of committees
of Southern Association of Colleges on which French participated 15 items
|
1940-1944 |
| 1 | 7 | Congratulatory letters on move to Texas
A&M University 35 items
|
1950 |
| 1 | 8 | Texas A&M University. Correspondence,
clippings, and programs of convocations and commencements 30 items
|
1950-1951 |
| 2 | 9 | Episcopal Church. Correspondence, clippings,
and photographs re: French as participant in church work and as delegate to
conventions 50 items
|
1948-1968 |
| 2 | 10 | Notes on activities of brother Paul Comly
French. Clippings re: Paul C. French (died ca. 1956), Trade association
official, anti-war publicist, conscientious objector organizer and
administrator for CARE 30 items
|
1945-1956 |
| 2 | 11 | Nibbles. Correspondence re: job
hunting 100 items
|
1942-65 |
| 2 | 12 | Whitman College. Correspondence, and printed
material re: Presidential Selection Committee 10 items
|
1967-69 |
| 2 | 13 | Academic Moves-CCF. Letters of appointment and
resignation; contract documents 70 items
|
1918-1965 |
| 2 | 14 | Pakistan Contract with WSU. Clippings,
photographs, phamplets from WSU Pakistan Project at University of Punjab;
material from French's trip to Pakistan 60 items
|
1956-1962 |
| 2 | 15 | Post retirement. Correspondence with friends,
university administrators, public officials 110 items
|
1966-1971 |
| 2 | 16 | Washington State Constitutional Revision
Commission. Clippings, correspondence and workings papers re: French's role
on commission; final reports 50 items
|
1969 |
| 3 | 17 | Naming and dedication: C. Clement French
Administration Building. Correspondence, and dedicatory
materials 40 items
|
1968 |
| 3 | 18 | Letters on announcement of WSU Presidency
Retirement. Correspondence, clippings, photographs re: French's
retirement 200 items
|
1966 |
| 3 | 19 | During WSU Years- misc. (Folder I) 100 items
|
|
| 4 | 20 | During WSU Years- misc. (Folder II).
Clippings, commendatory letters, photographs, and programs 100 items
|
1952-1966 |
| 4 | 21 | WSU Inauguration. Clippings, letters and
souvenirs 60 items
|
1952 |
| 4 | 22 | Letters re: Move to WSU. Correspondence with
regents and officials 200 items
|
1951-52 |
| 5 | 23 | Misc. photographs. Press release
photographs 100 items
|
1952-1966 |
| 5 | 24 | Honorary degree diplomas from Whitworth College and Pacific Lutheran University | |
| 5 | 24 | Photograph of French at about age 35 | |
| 5 | 24 | Biographical sketchs of C. C. and Helen French | |
| 5 | 24 | Presentation folder of commendatory letters presented to French at Agribusiness Dinner | 1966 |
| 6-7 | Certificates of awards and
memberships 40 items
|
1914-1965 | |
| 6-7 | Photographs of University of Pennsylvania Chemical Engineering Class | 1922 | |
| 6-7 | Academic regalia from Univ. of Punjab, Pacific Lutheran Univ., Whitworth College, University of Pennsylvania, Washington State University | ||
| 6-7 | Photograph of French's High School Class | 1918 | |
| 6-7 | Honorary doctorate diploma from University of Punjab | ||
| 6-7 | Diplomas for degrees earned (H.S., BS, MS, PHD) | ||
| Box | |||
| 6-7 | 6-7 | Masonic membership certificate | |
| Folder | |||
| Oversize | 26 | Certificates of awards and memberships, 1914-1965 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Education, Higher -- Washington (State) -- Pullman -- Administration
Personal Names
- French, C. Clement (Charles Clement), 1901-1988 -- Archives
Corporate Names
- State College of Washington -- Administration
- Washington State University -- Administration
Finding aid prepared by Lawrence R. Stark
2022
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
