Clark, Helen M. (Helen Mary), 1908-1974

Helen Mary Clark was born on March 25, 1908 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She attended Springfield Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan between 1923 and 1926. She then attended Junior College in Grand Rapids for two years before enrolling in the University of Michigan where she majored in mathematics and minored in French, receiving a B.A. in 1931. In September 1931, Clark enrolled at Northwestern University where she majored in mathematics, minored in education, and completed a masters thesis on “The Evaluation of Certain Definite Real Integrals.” Her personal research interest throughout her career was analysis.

After receiving an M.A. in June 1932, Clark tutored freshmen at Willard Hall from September 1932 to June 1933 and gave private tutoring from June 1932 to June 1933. She taught at Northwestern University as an interim math instructor from 1943 to 1946. In 1943, she also enrolled at St. Louis University, studying mathematics. From 1947 to 1959, she became a fulltime instructor at Northwestern. In 1947, she moved from 1239 Elmwood Ave to 602 Lake Street in Evanston where she would live for the rest of her life.

In September 1959, after fifteen years as a math instructor, Clark was appointed an assistant professor of mathematics at Northwestern University. The course she taught included A-01, A-13 (Algebra and Trigonometry), A-15 (Introduction to Analytic Geometry and Calculus) possible A-25 (Introduction to Symbolic Logic and Probability); B14-1 and 2 (Calculus); B15, and C16 (Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems).

While an assistant professor, Clark received a Science Faculty Fellowship from the National Science Foundation to study mathematics during the summer at Columbia University (1960-1961) and the University of Wisconsin (1962). Clark belonged to the American Mathematical Society, the American Association of College Professors, and the Pi Mu Epsilon Honor Society. At Northwestern she was a member of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Helen Mary Clark died on March 11, 1974 at her home in Evanston at the age of 66. Funeral services were conducted at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Evanston. She never married and was survived by Edward, her brother.

From the guide to the Helen M. Clark (1908-1974) Papers, 1958-1973, (Northwestern University Archives)