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Dick Clark papers

 Collection
Identifier: MsC0414

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Scope and Contents

The Dick Clark papers are arranged in nine series and three addenda. Series I is comprised of Alphabetical files of correspondence. Series II is comprised of subject files, broken down chronologically from the years 1973 to 1978. The subject files include materials from his Washington, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids offices. Series III is made up of casework files, which includes items from his Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs offices as well as educational casework and correspondence. Culver files make up Series IV, which include memos, office files, robos, and schedules. Series VI is composed of issues statements, Series VI of clippings, and series VII of audio, visual, and film materials. Photographs and slides are found in Series VIII. Finally, Series XI contains miscellaneous materials. Most of these series are divided into subseries.

There are also three addenda and an index. The 1986 addendum is arranged into three groups: subject files, arranged alphabetically, followed by clippings and speeches. The 1994 addendum consists of appointment books, photographs, and speeches. The undated addendum consists of 1982 campaign materials, speeches, materials relating to U.S. Soviet Bank, and clippings. The index pertains to the main body of the collection, and does not reflect materials in the addenda.

Areas and subjects of special concern to Clark range from Africa and international relations to agriculture and conservation, Democratic Party politics to the aged, and education to transportation.

Dates

  • Creation: 1973-1988
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1973-1979

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research. The written permission of the donor shall be required for publication of all or parts of said papers.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.

Biographical / Historical

Dick Clark was born September 14, 1929, on a farm in Linn County and grew up in the town of Lamont, in nearby Buchanan County, where his father operated a general store. Clark served with the army in Germany from 1950 to 1952, and then received a Bachelor's Degree from Upper Iowa University at Fayette in 1953. He received a Master's degree in history from the University of Iowa in 1956. From 1959 to 1964, Clark was an assistant professor of history and political science at Upper Iowa University and from 1965 to 1972 he was the administrative assistant to Iowa Second District Congressman John Culver. In 1972 he was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate after a 1300 mile campaign walk across the state. He served in the Senate until January 1979.

Clark was a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Democratic Steering Committee. He chaired Subcommittees on Rural Development and African Affairs. After leaving the Senate, Clark served as U.S. Ambassador for refugee affairs and then, in 1980, he worked in Senator Edward Kennedy's unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency. He is now Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies in Washington, D.C.

Clark passed away September 20th, 2023 at the age of 95.

Extent

216.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

U.S. Senator from Iowa , and educator. Arranged in 9 series, the papers consist of subject files, casework files, issue statements, clippings, audio, visual, film and photographs during his term in office. Subjects of special concern to Clark range from Africa and international relations to agriculture and conservation, Democratic Party politics to the aged, and education to transportation.

Source of Acquisition

These papers were given to the University of Iowa Libraries by Senator Clark in 1979.  Addenda: 1986, 1994, undated

Date
1998
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Iowa Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5921
319-335-5900 (Fax)