CLARK, CLARKE, or
CLERK,
a surname derived from the ecclesiastical office of Clerk, or
clericus. See CLERK.
CLARK, JOHN,
physician and medical writer, the son of a wealthy farmer, was born at
Roxburgh in 1744. Destined for the church, he attended the theological
classes at the university of Edinburgh; but afterwards devoted himself
to the study of medicine. On leaving college, he was appointed
assistant-surgeon in the service of the East India Company; and in
1773 he published his ‘Observations on the Diseases in Long Voyages to
Hot Countries, and particularly in the East Indies.’ He received the
degree of M.D. from the university of St. Andrews, and having settled
in practice at Newcastle-on-Tyne, he contributed greatly to the
improvement of the public hospital there, and founded a dispensary. He
died at Bath, April 24, 1805. He belonged to the Medical Society of
Edinburgh, to whose Transactions he was a contributor. His works are:
Observations
on the Diseases in long voyages to hot Countries, particularly on
those which prevail in the East Indies; and on the same Diseases as
they appear in Great Britain. London, 1773, 8vo. London, 1793, 2 vols.
8vo.
Observations
on the Hepatitis. Med. Com. v. p. 423. 1777.
History of a
Case of obstructed secretion of Urine. Med. Com. vi. p. 204. 1778.
Observations
on Fevers, especially those of the continued Type: on Scarlet Fever,
with Ulcerated Sore Throat, as it appeared in 1778; a comparative view
of Scarlet Fever, and the Origina Maligna. London, 1780, 8vo.
Letter on
the Influenza, as it appeared in Newcastle, 1801, 12mo.
A Collection
of Papers, intended to promote an Institution for the Cure and
Prevention of Infectious Fevers, in Newcastle and other populous
towns; together with communications of the most eminent Physicians,
relative to the safety and importance of annexing Fever Wards to the
Newcastle and other Infirmaries. Part i. and ii. Newcast., 1802, 12mo.
Sketch of
Professional Life and Character. By John Ralph Fenwick, M.D. of
Durham. London, 1806, 8vo.
CLARKE, JOHN,
an engraver, who flourished in the seventeenth century, was a native
of Scotland, but the exact place of his birth is now known. He
executed two profile heads in medal of William and Mary, dated 1690;
and prints of Sir Matthew Hale, George baron de Goertz, and Dr.
Humphrey Prideaux. He also engraved seven little heads of Charles the
Second, his queen, Prince Rupert, the prince of Orange, the dukes of
York and Monmouth, and General Monk. He died about 1697.
CLARKE, STEPHEN,
a musical composer of the 18th century, was the organist of
the Episcopal Chapel, in the Cowgate, Edinburgh. He was a teacher of
music, and composed many musical pieces of great merit. His name will
be remembered as the selector and arranger of the melodies for
Johnson’s ‘Scots Musical Museum’ to which Burns contributed so much,
and the first volume of which was published at Edinburgh in 1787, and
the sixth, which completed the work, in 1803. About 1790 Clarke
published two Sonatas for the Pianoforte or Harpsichord, in which are
introduced favourite Scotch airs, respectfully dedicated to Mrs.
Erskine, junior, of Mar. He died at Edinburgh on the 6th
August 1797. After his death, his son and successor, William Clarke
(who died in 1820) appears to have rendered Johnson the like service
in harmonizing the airs for the concluding volume of the Musical
Museum.
