Ask a Librarian

Dr. Jared E. Clarke & the Library

Sandra Yates
Archivist and Special Collections Librarian

As the centennial year of the Texas Medical Center Library comes to a close, we at the McGovern Historical Center have found a fitting send off. In February 1974, Don Macon interviewed Dr. Jared E. Clarke for the Texas Medical Center Historical Resources Project. The goal of the project was to collection oral histories and other materials related to the founding and development of the Texas Medical Center. Dr. Clarke was a member of the Harris County Medical Society when it established the Houston Academy of Medicine and Library. In fact, Dr. Clarke was in charge of raising funds to maintain and house the library. This week, we digitized the video below from a 3/4″ U-matic tape, in which Dr. Clarke recounts his medical career in Houston, military service during WWI, and the beginnings of the Texas Medical Center Library. (Hint: Around 19:30, he really gets started about the library!)
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Video Description
Dr. Jared E. Clarke interviewed by Don Macon. Produced for the Texas Medical Center Historical Resources Project.
Dr. Clarke discusses his personal family history and his interest in medicine due to physicians in his family. He discusses his education and noted that he knew Dr. Ernst W. Bertner at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston although he was two years behind him, graduating in 1913.
Dr. Clarke speaks of the hospital facilities in Houston after his return from World War I and the services of doctors prior to Texas Medical Center (TMC).
Dr. Clarke talked about the founding of the Houston Academy of Medicine and the beginning of the library now housed in the Jesse H. Jones Building.
Run time 33:29
Producer Texas Medical Center Library
Audio/Visual sound, color
Language English