Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the Charles Clement French Papers
1914-1971
Cage 310
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
- Creator
- French, C. Clement (Charles Clement), 1901-1988
- Title
- Charles Clement French Papers
- ID
- Cage 310
- Date [inclusive]
- 1914-1971
- Extent
- 4.5 Linear feet of shelf space, 7 Boxes
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- Correspondence, photographs, memorabilia and other personal papers related to Washington State University President C. Clement French's academic and professional career.
Preferred Citation
[Item description]
Charles Clement French Papers, 1914-1971 (Cage 310)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Biography/History
Charles Clement French was born in 1901 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. French held three degrees in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, including a Ph.D. in physical chemistry. In 1925, French married Helen Augusta Black (1902-1976) and they had two children.
He was dean of the college at Randolph Macon College in Virginia, an administrator at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech), and vice president at Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (Texas A&M). In 1952 French was selected to be the sixth President of the State College of Washington (which was renamed Washington State University during his term).
French served as chairman of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, and the Washington State Constitutional Revision Commission, as well as being a member of the Board of Trustees for the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). He retired in 1966 and was honored in 1968 with the university's new administration building being named for him. He received honorary degrees from Whitworth College, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of Punjab. French died in Pullman, Washington in 1988.
Scope and Content
Correspondence, photographs, memorabilia and other personal papers related to Washington State University President C. Clement French's academic and professional career.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2022
https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Acquisition Information
Charles Clement French donated this collection to the Washington State University Libraries in 1971.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Lawrence R. Stark in July of 1973.
Related Materials
Related Material
Charles Clement French Papers, 1967-1969 (Cage 490)
Charles Clement French Century 21 Exposition Planning Records, 1958-1962 (Cage 727)
State College of Washington Office of the President: Wilson Compton and Charles Clement French Records, 1948-1956 (Archives 12)
Washington State University Office of the President: Charles Clement French Records, 1957-1966 (Archives 203)
Names and Subjects
Corporate Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- State College of Washington -- Administration
- Washington State University -- Administration
Personal Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- French, C. Clement (Charles Clement), 1901-1988 -- Archives
Subject(s)
- Education, Higher -- Washington (State) -- Pullman -- Administration
- Colleges and Universities
- Washington (State)
Detailed Description of Collection
| box | folder | |||
|
Northeast High school, Philadelphia, Penn. Grade reports, essay written by French, and commencement program 1914-1918 40 items |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Northeast High school, Philadelphia, Penn. Correspondence 1936 40 items |
1 | 1 | ||
|
University of Pennsylvania. Grade reports, transcripts, student souvenirs, drafts and printed copies of Ph.D. thesis 1918-1927 30 items |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Randolph-Macon Women's College. (Lynchburg, Va.) Clippings, lists of students, The History of Randolph-Macon Women's College by W. W. Smith (1909), and chemistry project report for navy contract 1932-1948 70 items |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Letters re: move to Virginia Polytechnic Institute Feb. 1949 40 items |
1 | 4 | ||
|
Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Correspondence, VPI magazine, and bulletins 1949-1951 30 items |
1 | 5 | ||
|
Education while in South. Report of committees of Southern Association of Colleges on which French participated 1940-1944 15 items |
1 | 6 | ||
|
Congratulatory letters on move to Texas A&M University 1950 35 items |
1 | 7 | ||
|
Texas A&M University. Correspondence, clippings, and programs of convocations and commencements 1950-1951 30 items |
1 | 8 | ||
|
Episcopal Church. Correspondence, clippings, and photographs re: French as participant in church work and as delegate to conventions 1948-1968 50 items |
2 | 9 | ||
|
Notes on activities of brother Paul Comly French. Clippings re: Paul C. French (died ca. 1956), Trade association official, anti-war publicist, conscientious objector organizer and administrator for CARE 1945-1956 30 items |
2 | 10 | ||
|
Nibbles. Correspondence re: job hunting 1942-65 100 items |
2 | 11 | ||
|
Whitman College. Correspondence, and printed material re: Presidential Selection Committee 1967-69 10 items |
2 | 12 | ||
|
Academic Moves-CCF. Letters of appointment and resignation; contract documents 1918-1965 70 items |
2 | 13 | ||
|
Pakistan Contract with WSU. Clippings, photographs, phamplets from WSU Pakistan Project at University of Punjab; material from French's trip to Pakistan 1956-1962 60 items |
2 | 14 | ||
|
Post retirement. Correspondence with friends, university administrators, public officials 1966-1971 110 items |
2 | 15 | ||
|
Washington State Constitutional Revision Commission. Clippings, correspondence and workings papers re: French's role on commission; final reports 1969 50 items |
2 | 16 | ||
|
Naming and dedication: C. Clement French Administration Building. Correspondence, and dedicatory materials 1968 40 items |
3 | 17 | ||
|
Letters on announcement of WSU Presidency Retirement. Correspondence, clippings, photographs re: French's retirement 1966 200 items |
3 | 18 | ||
|
During WSU Years- misc. (Folder I) 100 items |
3 | 19 | ||
|
During WSU Years- misc. (Folder II). Clippings, commendatory letters, photographs, and programs 1952-1966 100 items |
4 | 20 | ||
|
WSU Inauguration. Clippings, letters and souvenirs 1952 60 items |
4 | 21 | ||
|
Letters re: Move to WSU. Correspondence with regents and officials 1951-52 200 items |
4 | 22 | ||
|
Misc. photographs. Press release photographs 1952-1966 100 items |
5 | 23 | ||
|
Honorary degree diplomas from Whitworth College and Pacific Lutheran University |
5 | 24 | ||
|
Photograph of French at about age 35 |
5 | 24 | ||
|
Biographical sketchs of C. C. and Helen French |
5 | 24 | ||
|
Presentation folder of commendatory letters presented to French at Agribusiness Dinner 1966 |
5 | 24 | ||
| box | ||||
|
Certificates of awards and memberships 1914-1965 40 items |
6-7 | |||
|
Photographs of University of Pennsylvania Chemical Engineering Class 1922 |
6-7 | |||
|
Academic regalia from Univ. of Punjab, Pacific Lutheran Univ., Whitworth College, University of Pennsylvania, Washington State University |
6-7 | |||
|
Photograph of French's High School Class 1918 |
6-7 | |||
|
Honorary doctorate diploma from University of Punjab |
6-7 | |||
|
Diplomas for degrees earned (H.S., BS, MS, PHD) |
6-7 | |||
| box | box | |||
|
Masonic membership certificate |
6-7 | 6-7 | ||
| box | folder | |||
|
Certificates of awards and memberships, 1914-1965 |
Oversize | 26 | ||