Clement Clark

Artist: Thomas C. Corner; Oil on canvas

Clement Clark was born in Kingston, Talbot County August 3 1858, son of Clement S. and Anne E. Mobray Clark.  He attended local schools and then St. John’s College in Annapolis. In 1878, he entered the medical department of the University of Maryland, and graduated in 1880. He settled in Federalsburg, Caroline County and soon established a successful practice. He was elected to the General Assembly for the term 1895-96 as a Democrat.

He had been attracted to the study of psychiatry and he had become profoundly interested in the care of the feebleminded and insane. In 1896, Dr. Clark became of first assistant to superintendent at Spring Grove Hospital in Catonsville and served until 1899.  When the supervisor died unexpectedly, the position of superintendent was given to Dr. Clark, and he filled the position with such distinguished ability that the hospital was considered a model not only in this country, but in Europe.

Dr. Clark found that alcohol was the direct cause of insanity in 15-20% of all the cases; that alcoholic parents produce more than half the idiotic children in the State; and that about one third of the living children of such parents suffer from epilepsy. He thought that the State should take interest in the regulation of this drug as it does in the regulation of opium and cocaine. He strongly advocated the establishment of psychopathic hospitals and wards where patients could have preliminary treatment before being legally certified as insane.

He was prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being a thirty-second degree Mason; a member of the County and American Medical Associations and of the American Medico-Psychological Association. Naturally, he held membership in the Medical and Chirurgical Association.  He was an active member of the Methodist Church.