Skip to main content

John C. Parker papers

 Collection
Identifier: M143

  • Staff Only
  • Please use the Collection Organization section below to place requests.

Scope and Content

The collection contains family letters (1817-1931, n.d.), many written by John C. Parker to his parents during his time at Bowdoin and on the expedition to Labrador, as well as Parker's diaries and journals (two from the 1891 Labrador expedition). There are also miscellaneous family materials including wills and deeds; military records of Clement Parker (John C.'s grandfather), John S. Parker and John C. Parker; church records and missionary assignments of Rev. Clement Parker; and family photographs and newspaper clippings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1817-1950, undated

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Biographical/Historical Note

John Clement Parker (Bowdoin 1886) was born in 1864, the son of John S. Parker (Medical School of Maine 1849) and Maria Caroline (Wood) Parker. Parker was principal of a high school in Kennebunk, Maine (1886-1889). He returned to Bowdoin in 1889 to serve as assistant in the Biology department and attend the Medical School of Maine. He received his medical degree in 1891.

Parker was the surgeon of the Bowdoin expedition to Labrador in 1891. The stated objective of the expedition was to explore the unknown region of interior Labrador. During the trip, Parker conducted a study of the Inuit people, making physical measurements in an attempt to determine their evolutionary history.

In 1893, Parker opened a medical practice in Farmington, New Hampshire. He moved to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1902, and practiced there until his death in 1913. Parker was the first president of Bowdoin's Providence Alumni Association, and was part of the medical department of the National Guard. He held the rank of major and surgeon in the First Squadron of Cavalry.

Parker married Jennie M. Mirrless in 1893. The couple had four children.

Extent

2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection contains family letters (1817-1931, n.d.), many written by John C. Parker to his parents during his time at Bowdoin and on the expedition to Labrador, as well as Parker's diaries and journals.

Related Names

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the John C. Parker Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository

http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/index.shtml
Contact:
3000 College Station
Brunswick Maine 04011 USA
(207) 725-3288

Acknowledgment of non-neutrality

The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.