Table of Contents
- Collection Summary
- Biographical Note
- Scope and Content Note
- Subject Headings
- Administrative Information
- Access and Use
- Encoding Information
- Container List
Collection Summary
| Repository: | Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries |
|---|---|
| Creator: | Clark, Frances Underhill |
| Title: | Frances Underhill Clark Papers |
| Inclusive Dates: | 1890-1937 |
| Bulk Dates: | 1922-1937 |
| Quantity: | 0.70 cubic feet (3 boxes) |
| Abstract: | The bulk of these papers are letters to Clark from conscientious objectors and political prisoners sentenced under the Espionage Act and other legislation enacted during World War I, discussing their lives in prison, their philosophy on war and militarism, political issues, their legal cases, their families, lumberjack experiences, reaction to prison life, and current issues outside prison, 1922-1937. Some of the prisoners were Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) members arrested after labor disturbances in Centralia, Washington. Included are six letters from Ray Becker, 1922-1927, and 41 letters from Warren K. Billings, 1924-1937. Other items include pamphlets, poetry, clippings, and photographs as well as three notebooks from her time at Vassar, 1890-1891. |
Biographical Note
Frances Underhill Clark (1868-1950) was born into a Quaker family. She attended Vassar Preparatory School and was graduated from Vassar College in 1891. Her sister, Adelaide Underhill (Vassar '88), was for many years a librarian at the college. A year after graduation, "Fanny," as she was called, married Dr. George Edward Clark. Although the Clarks never had any children of their own, they informally adopted two orphaned boys and educated a niece. In communications with the Vassar alumnae office Clark described herself as a "homekeeper" and also listed volunteer activities during World War I. As a Quaker she was concerned with the protection of human rights and maintained a large correspondence with political prisoners -- socialists, labor organizers, and conscientious objectors -- many of whom had been sentenced under legislation such as the Espionage Act and the California Criminal Syndicalism Act. She died December 16, 1950.
TopScope and Content Note
The bulk of these papers are letters to Clark from conscientious objectors and political prisoners sentenced under the Espionage Act and other legislation enacted during World War I, discussing their lives in prison, their philosophy on war and militarism, political issues, their legal cases, their families, lumberjack experiences, reaction to prison life, and current issues outside prison, 1922-1937. Some of the prisoners were Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) members arrested after labor disturbances in Centralia, Wash. There are a total of 217 letters. Included are six letters from Ray Becker, 1922-1927, and 41 letters from Warren K. Billings, 1924-1937. Other items include pamphlets, poetry, clippings and photographs as well as three notebooks from her time at Vassar.
TopAccess and Use
Access
This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional restrictions.
Restrictions on Use
Permission to quote (publish) from unpublished or previously published material must be obtained as described in the regulations of the Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library.
Subject Headings
Names:
- Becker, Ray
- Billings, Warren K., 1894-
Organizations:
- Industrial Workers of the World
- Vassar College--Students
Subjects:
- Conscientious objectors
- Human rights
- Political prisoners
- Prisoners' writings
- Prisoners--Attitudes
- Socialism--United States
- Voluntarism
- War--Women's work
- Women social reformers
- Women, Quaker
- World War, 1914-1918--War work
- Labor and laboring classes--Washington--Centralia--Political activity
Places:
- United States--Politics and government--20th century
Document Types:
- Poems
VCL Categories
- Politics
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Francis Underhill Clark Papers, Archives and Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.
Processing Information
Original proceesing date unknown.
Updated November 2006
Acquisition Information
Gift of Frances Underhill Clark
Container List
There is no container list currently available for this collection.
Details
The bulk of these papers are letters to Clark from conscientious objectors and political prisoners sentenced under the Espionage Act and other legislation enacted during World War I, discussing their lives in prison, their philosophy on war and militarism, political issues, their legal cases, their families, lumberjack experiences, reaction to prison life, and current issues outside prison, 1922-1937. Some of the prisoners were Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) members arrested after labor disturbances in Centralia, Washington. Included are six letters from Ray Becker, 1922-1927, and 41
