The William Clarence Thompson Collection

Collection

Identifier: SCM 388

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains photocopies of the contents of three diaries of the Reverend William Clarence Thompson. The diaries are arranged chronologically and include the years 1929 – 1931. Thompson was known to have kept diaries for almost eighty years. The selections included in this collection are from his time in the Seminary.

Dates

1928 - 1931

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

There are no special restrictions placed on the accessibility of this collection. It is available for the use of library patrons under the normal rules and conditions of Special Collections.

Biographical / Historical

William Clarence Thompson was born September 30, 1904, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Tarentum High School, PA and Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. He later graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1931 with his ThB and M.Div.

Thompson was a Navy chaplain from 1945 to 1947. He served three pastorates in Pennsylvania including Beechwoods Presbyterian Church in Falls Creek from 1931 to 1940, Montours Presbyterian Church in Oakdale from 1940 to 1945, and First Presbyterian Church in Duquesne from 1947 until his retirement in 1970. Upon his retirement, he became pastor emeritus. In addition, Thompson was an interim pastor at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, PA and Sampson Mills Presbyterian Church in White Oak, PA. He was also a member of Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church, PA. The Reverend William Clarence Thompson died on April 10, 2004.

Extent

0.209 Linear Feet (1 half document box. )

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection has been arranged into three folders. Folder 1: Diary, September 22, 1928 - January 2, 1929 Folder 2: Diary, January 1, 1929 – December 31, 1929 (Includes Memoranda) Folder 3: Diary, January 1, 1931 – December 31, 1931

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Correspondence between Head Librarian Dr. Stephen Crocco, Director of Special Collections Robert Benedetto, and Aide to VP for Seminary Relations Marie Grasso indicate that Thompson’s daughter, Mary Jane Thompson, intended to donate materials to Library Special Collections. No deed of gift exists.