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John Alexander Clark diary

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6295

Scope and Contents note

Diary written by John Alexander Clark, with entries dating from between February 2, 1894 and January 12, 1895. The John Alexander Clark diary chronicles Elder Clark's mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Palestine, part of the Turkish Mission. Individual diary entries document his journey to his assigned area of service and include brief descriptions of Liverpool, London, Paris, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Prague, Vienna, Belgrade, Constantinople, Beirut, and Haifa. In his diary, Elder Clark chronicles his study of Arabic and German as well as his missionary activities. His diary also includes descriptions of the Arab and German communities in Haifa, and descriptions of local sites and the countryside.

Dates

  • 1894-1895

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use note

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the John Alexander Clark diary must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

John Alexander Clark (1871-1895) was a Mormon missionary that served in various European cities before he unfortunately contracted smallpox and passed away.

John Alexander Clark was born in Farmington, Utah, on 28 February 1871, to Ezra Thompson Clark and Susan Leggett Clark. He graduated from the Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah, and taught school in Minersville, Utah. In 1894, he was called to serve an LDS mission to Turkey. He departed for his mission on 3 February 1894. To reach his assigned area he, according to his mission diary, traveled to New York City where he boarded a ship for England. He arrived in Liverpool and traveled to London, Paris, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Prague, Vienna, Belgrade, Constantinople, and Beirut. He remained in Beirut for almost five months where he studied Arabic and German. In August, 1894, he and his missionary companion traveled to Haifa where he continued his missionary activities. In February 1895, Elder Clark contracted smallpox; he died on 8 February 1895 in the home of his landlady. Elder Clark was buried in a cemetery at the foot of Mt. Carmel.

Extent

3 folders (0.15 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

John Alexander Clark diary of his LDS mission to Palestine, dated 2 February 1894 – 12 January 1895.

Custodial History note

Donated by Antone Clark in 2008.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Donated; Antone Clark; 2008.

Appraisal note

LDS cultural, social, and religious history (Collection development policy for 19th Century Western and Mormon Manuscripts, August 2007).

Existence and Location of Copies

Photocopies of original available in Folder 1. Transcription available in Folder 2.

Related Archival Materials note

See also the John Alexander Clark correspondence collection, 1892–1895 (MS 137923, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church History Library and Archives Division).

Title
Register of John Alexander Clark diary
Status
Completed
Author
John M. Murphy, curator
Date
2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States