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Overview

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Arrangement

Preferred Citation

Restrictions on Access

Restrictions on Use

Related Material

Subject Terms

Container List [ + ]

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Guide to the Adam Clarke Papers

Prepared by Robert Drew Simpson, Assistant Archivist and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist

United Methodist Archives and History Center
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church
(Published for the Drew University Methodist Library)

10/03/2011


Overview of Collection

Record Creator: Clarke, Adam
Title: Adam Clarke Papers
Date Span: 1783-1833
Abstract: Adam Clarke (1760-1832), Anglo-Irish preacher and Biblical scholar, was born in County Londonderry, Ireland in 1760. Clarke served widely in Great Britain, and was a strong advocate for the poor, and for the education of poor children. He became known for his skills as a Biblical scholar and linguist.
Extent: 3.6 Cubic feet
Resource ID: drew.ms.2377



Biographical Note

Adam Clarke (1760-1832) was an Anglo-Irish preacher and Biblical scholar. He was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, in 1760. He became a Methodist in 1779. John Wesley appointed him an itinerant preacher in 1782.

The following year Clarke was received by the Bristol Conference. He served widely in Great Britain, and was a strong advocate for the poor, and for the education of poor children.

He became known for his skills as a Biblical scholar and linguist. Not only was he fluent in Biblical languages, but also in Latin and Arabic. Clarke was criticized for his inability to accept the doctrine of the eternal sonship of Jesus Christ, and so was considered unorthodox in his theology. Nonetheless, he was held in high regard both inside and outside Methodist circles. His major contribution to the church was his multi-volume Bible commentary which became the basis of study for preparing itinerant ministers both in Great Britain and America for many years. Clarke was president of the British Methodist Conference three times and of the Irish Methodist Conference four times. He was a major force in establishing the Plan of Pacification in 1795. Clarke died August 26, 1832, and is buried beside John Wesley at City Road in London.


Scope Note

This collection is comprised of correspondence dating from 1760 to 1832. There are also a number undated letters. A major part of the collection is comprised of the manuscripts of Clarke's commentary on the Bible. There is also a folder of assorted images, some of which are of Clarke, as well as several of his residences. The journals and notebooks include an account of a journey made to Ireland in 1811, and a journey he made to the north of England in 1816.

There are also notes Clarke made on several tracts; notes on Roman coins, weights, and measures; also notes on Hebrew money. There is a manuscript he began on the life of John Wesley and his ancestors, which was never completed or published. A paper on the Gospel of Matthew is also included. The collection also includes a number of artifacts associated with Clarke's personal life.


Arrangement

Materials have been arranged in the following manner.

Series: Artifacts
Series: Commentaries
Series: Correspondence
Series: General
Series: Images
Series: Journals

Preferred Citation

When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Adam Clarke Collection, Methodist Collection - Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.


Access Restrictions

Copyright still owned by Drew. Permission to publish must be directed to Drew


Restrictions on Use

Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.


Related Materials

Lake Family Wesleyana Collection

Joseph Beaumont Wakeley Papers

John Wesley Correspondence

Wesley Family Letters

Index Terms

Subject Topics
Bible-Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Subject Geographic
England
Genre
Artifacts
Commentaries
Correspondence
Journals
Notebooks
Subject Topics
Bible-Criticism, interpretation,etc.
Subject Geographic
England
Genre
Artifacts
Commentaries
Correspondence
Journals
Notebooks


Container List


Series: Artifacts
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
5023-3-2: 3 Sewing Kit 1800
5023-3-2: 4 Silver Knee Buckle 1800
5023-3-2: 5 Ruler 1800
5023-7-2: 1 Eye Glasses with Case 1800

Series: Commentaries
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2127-4-1: 1 Genesis, Leviticus Undated
2127-4-1: 2 Numbers Undated
2127-4-1: 3 Deuteronomy Undated
2127-4-1: 4 Joshua, Judges, Ruth Undated
2127-4-1: 5 1 and 2 Samuel Undated
2127-4-1: 6 1 and 2 Kings, Chronicles, Ezra Undated
2127-4-1: 7 Esther; Job Undated
2127-4-1: 8 Psalms 1 Undated
2127-4-1: 9 Psalms 2 Undated
2127-4-1: 10 Psalms 3 Undated
2127-4-1: 11 Proverbs, Canticles Undated
2127-4-1: 12 Ezekiel, Daniel Undated
2127-4-1: 13 Minor Prophets Undated
2127-4-2: 1 Gospel of Matthew 1 Undated
2127-4-2: 2 Gospel of Matthew 2 Undated
2127-4-2: 3 Gospel of Matthew 3 Undated
2127-4-2: 4 Gospel of Mark Undated
2127-4-2: 5 Gospel of Luke 1 Undated
2127-4-2: 6 Gospel of Luke 2 Undated
2127-4-2: 7 Gospel of John 1 Undated
2127-4-2: 8 Gospel of John 2 Undated
2127-4-2: 9 Acts 1 Undated
2127-4-2: 10 Acts 2 Undated
2127-4-2: 11 Acts 3 Undated
2127-4-2: 12 Romans 1 Undated
2127-4-2: 13 Romans 2 Undated
2127-4-2: 14 1 and 2 Corinthians Undated
2127-4-2: 15 Galatians, Ephesians, Philippian, Colossians Undated
2127-4-2: 16 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Undated
2127-4-2: 17 Hebrews Undated
2127-4-2: 18 James Undated
2127-4-2: 19 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John Undated
2127-4-2: 20 Jude, Revelation Undated

Series: Correspondence
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2127-4-3: 2 Correspondence 1824 - 1833 1824-1833
2127-4-3: 3 Correspondence Undated Undated
2127-4-3: 1 Correspondence 1783 - 1823 1783-1823

Series: General
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2127-4-3: 4 Miscellaneous Undated
2129-1-1: 1 Wesleyan Methodist Church Preaching Stations 1832

Series: Images
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2127-4-3: 7 Clarke Images Undated

Series: Journals
Call Number Folder Title Date(s)
2127-4-3: 5 Journals and Notebooks 1 Undated
2127-4-3: 6 Journals and Notebooks 2 Undated