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Guide to the Edward D. Clarkson Collection
MS-0088
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Collection Title: Edward D. Clarkson Collection
Dates: 1916-1969
Bulk Dates: 1959-1962
Identification: MS-0088
Creator:
Clarkson, Edward D., 1890-1969
Physical Description: 0.83 linear ft
Language of Materials:
English
Repository:
Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Born on November 22, 1890, Edward D. Clarkson spent many years actively campaigning for social progress towards his view of
what United States government policies should be both at home and abroad. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1916 and served
in both World War I and World War II. Later in life, Clarkson took up residency in Cuba, where he spent approximately ten
years in a diplomatic fashion. Clarkson retired from the army in 1944 and earned a master’s degree in history from San Diego
State College in 1958.
Clarkson spent the remainder of his life in La Jolla, California. As a resident for more than 30 years, he was highly active
not only as a correspondent but also through participation in organizations such as the American Legion, the Scottish Rite
Masons, Phi Alpha Theta and even the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. Edward D. Clarkson died in October of 1969.
This collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Clarkson family
Personal Papers
Cuba -- Foreign relations -- United States
United States -- Foreign relations -- Cuba
United States -- Race relations
Clarkson, Edward D., 1890-1969 -- Archives
Clarkson, Edward D., 1890-1969 -- Correspondence
1964
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
This collection is open for research.
Identification of item, folder title, box number, Edward D. Clarkson Collection, Special Collections and University Archives,
Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
This collection is arranged in the following manner: Correspondence is alphabetical and fallowed by miscellaneous folders
also alphabetized by their title.
1. Correspondence to and from Edward D. Clarkson (In alphabetical order)
2. Miscellaneous
3. Clarkson Family correspondence
The
Edward D. Clarkson Collection, in the form of an autograph collection, contains various correspondence, photographs, miscellaneous works, and ephemera
of Clarkson’s. The correspondence discusses a diverse array of contemporary issues, including U.S. relations with Cuba and
race relations between whites and African Americans in the United States. In a recruitment type fashion, Clarkson attempts
to enlist a variety of individuals in many causes. These individuals include both the political and artistic sphere of American
life.
Clarkson spent the majority of his efforts lobbying for peace with foreign nations, mainly Cuba, in the decades of the 1950’s
and 60’s. His main efforts were directed towards United States Senators and Congressmen. However, Clarkson did attempt to
influence a number of United States Presidents, both retired and active. Among the Presidents were, Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon.
Included in Clarkson’s political endeavors are a number of other prominent figures in American society. Among them are letters
to Hubert Humphrey pertaining to peace efforts, yet directed toward the disarmament of the Soviet Union. Clarkson inquired
of Eleanor Roosevelt on the possibility of creating separate societies for blacks and whites, not excluding the possibilities
of migrating the African American to Africa.
Clarkson also corresponded with many well-known American social figures like Georgia O’Keefe, Robert Oppenheimer, Gregory
Peck, and Upton Sinclair.