| AdminHistory | Astley Vavasour Clarke (1870-1945) was the son of Dr Julius Clarke of Leicester, medical practitioner and town councillor. He was born in Leicester and educated at Wyggeston School, Oakham School, Heidelberg and Bonn. He graduated in natural science from Caius College, Cambridge and did his medical training at Guy's Hospital. He became one of Leicester's best known physicians and was Honorary Physician to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for 34 years where he did pioneering work on X-rays. He was active in the Territorial Army and served with the R.A.M.C. in the First World War. He became a city councillor in 1932 and was also a J.P., Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire in 1928 and High Sheriff of Rutland in 1942. The successful establishment of a University College at Leicester was in large part due to Astley Clarke's vision, enthusiasm and energy. In his presidential address to the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society on 12 October 1912 [see D2/2 below] he urged the foundation of a college in Leicester and on Armistice Day 1918 he opened the fund that endowed it. He was Vice-Chairman of the College Council 1921-39 and Chairman thereafter until his death. He was also a Vice-President of the College. The Astley Clarke Papers were used by Professor Jack Simmons in his book New University (Leicester, 1958) where they are referred to as ACP 1 -2. |