Wilson Ober Clough papers, 1887-1990

Wilson Ober Clough was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on January 7, 1894. A 1917 graduate of Union College in Schenectady, New York, Clough taught English at Mason City (Illinois) High School before leaving to serve as a private in World War I. He was stationed with a United States Army field artillery unit in France from June 1918 to July 1919. After his discharge, he remained in France for the 1919 spring term, studying French language and literature at the University de Montpelier. He married Laura Bowman in Austin, Texas on June 22, 1921. Clough earned an MA in English, with minors in French and secondary education, from the University of Colorado. Clough joined the University of Wyoming faculty in 1924 and served as head of the English department from 1946-1949. In the late 1930s, Professor Laura A. White and Professor Clough developed an interdepartmental program in American Civilization, known today as the American Studies Program. After devoting 37 years to teaching American Studies and English at the University of Wyoming, Clough retired in 1961. His book "A History of the University of Wyoming, 1887-1964" commemorated the 75th anniversary of the University's founding.