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Clarke family papers
M0292
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Clarke Family Papers
Creator:
Clarke, Ruth Johnson
Identifier/Call Number: M0292
Physical Description:
20 Linear Feet
(36 boxes)
Date (inclusive): circa 1870-1973
Abstract: Ruth and Eric Clarke were both children of missionaries in China, and the Clarkes lived in China through the 1940s. Ruth Clarke
was a passionate collector of Chinese art and the collection is largely focused on her collection and sales records, but there
are also many files of correspondence, genealogical records, and over ten boxes of photographs.
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials
are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Molly Clarke, 1974.
Collection was partially reprocessed in 2023.
The daughter of Dr. Charles Fletcher Johnson and Agnes Elliott Johnson, Ruth Clarke was born on April 2, 1890 in Wei Hsien,
Shantung, China where she quickly mastered Mandarin Chinese. She was educated at Miss Jewell's School in Shanghai which was
also attended by Miss Pearl Buck. After visiting her uncle Hosmer Johnson in Washington D.C., Ruth entered and graduated from
Wilson College (Chambersburg, Pa.) in 1912. She then returned to Shanghai to accept a teaching position at Miss Jewell's.
In 1916 Ruth Johnson accepted a new position in the Peking American School. It was there that she met J. Eric G. Clarke whom
she married on June 21, 1916 in Tsinanfu, Shantung. The Rev. W. P. Chalfant officiated. Kathleen Clarke, Margaret Emma Johnson,
Gerald Clarke and Hosmer F. Johnson were members of the wedding party. Dating from this ceremony, the couple often signed
their combined correspondence Rutheric. Following a brief honeymoon in Tai Shan, the couple returned to Peking where they
resided for the next 16 years. During this period Mrs. Clarke made several trips to the United States where she exhibited
many of the fabulous Oriental art treasures she had collected throughout her stay in China.
Soon after the couple moved to Shanghai the threat of war between Japan and China became reality. Overnight, internment camps
were set up for aliens like the Clarkes. Their homes were occupied by Japanese soldiers as soon as they were evacuated by
the local Occupation authorities. From April 10, 1943 until a few weeks following the Japanese surrender to MacArthur on August
14, 1945, the Clarkes were confined at Lung Hwa Camp near Peking.
Among the nearly 1800 interns at Lung Hwa were men and women from all professions and backgrounds. Although spirits were high
during the first season at the camp, morale worsened during the winter--food became scarce and poorer in quality and the stoves
which the Japanese installed on each floor of the ten dormitories were never lit. The cubicles they occupied were 4`8 by 22'
long. Despite the difficult conditions they encountered at the camp, the Clarkes and their fellow inmates managed to maintain
a high level of personal development which is reflected in the many activities enjoyed at the camp: lectures, plays, musical
productions and many other kinds of intellectual stimulation. One of the most amusing highlights of their stay was the development
of a game called Dictionary Please. Because of their limited reading material, the Clarkes designed a game which relied only
upon the dictionary they brought with them and their active imaginations. The game was so successful that it became a partial
livelihood following their return to America in 1946.
Residing in Portland, Oregon, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke remained active socially and intellectually. Mrs. Clarke served as president
of Zonta International and the Lewis and Clarke's Women's League. Mrs. Clarke now [as of 1974] resides in Mountain View, California.
[Identification of item] Clarke Family Papers, M0292, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Correspondence, photographs of China, Chinese art and family, books and pamphlets mostly about Chinese art, memorabilia, newspaper
clippings, etc.
Selected volumes from the collection have been individually cataloged:
https://searchworks.stanford.edu/catalog?q=%22Clarke+family+papers.%22&search_field=subject_terms
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns. Some of
these materials are believed to be in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use of public domain materials.
1. Palmer, J.P.:
Jade Spring Books; London, 1967.
2.
The Encyclopaedia Sinica Couling, Samuel Kelly & Walsh; Shanghai, 1917.
3. Thiel, Albert W.R.:
Chinese Pottery and Stoneware Thos. Nelson & Sons; N.Y., N.D.
4. Goette, John:
Jade Lore Kelly & Walsh; Shanghai, 1936.
5. Forsyth, Robb. Coventry:
Shanting, The Sacred Province of China Christian Literature Society; Shanghai, 1912
6. Graham, Dorothy:
Through the Moon Door J. H. Sears & Co.; N.Y., 1926.
7. Brandt, J.:
Introduction to Literary Chinese North China Union Language School; Peking, 1927.
8. Weale, B.L. Putnam:
The Vanished Empire Macmillan & Co.; London, 1926.
9. Jennu, Delia:
Letter from Peking Oxford UP; London, 1967.
10. Busheel, Stephen W.:
Chinese ArtV. I Eyre & Spottiswoode; London, 1909.
11. Smith, Arthur H.:
Chinese Characteristics 3rd ed. Fleming H. Revell Co.; N.Y., 1894.
12. Grubb, Norman P.:
C.T.Studd,
Cricketer & Pioneer Religious Tract Society; London, 1933.
13. Martin, W.A.P.:
The Siege in Peking Oliphant Anderson & Ferrier; Edinburgh, 1900.
14. Lymn, Jermyn Chi-Hung:
Social Life of The Chinese in Peking China Booksellers; Peking, 1928.
15. Strong:
A Sketch of Chinese Arts & Crafts China Booksellers; Peking, 1926.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Art, Chinese -- Collectors and collecting
Missionaries -- China -- History -- 19th century.
China -- History
China -- Description and travel