Ronald W. Clark
Ronald W. Clark was a prominent British journalist and author, born in 1916 in Wimbledon, England. After graduating from King's College, he began his career with British United Press, serving as a war correspondent during World War II before transitioning to a foreign correspondent role. Throughout his life, Clark developed a passion for mountaineering and photography, which inspired his first book, *Splendid Hills: The Life and Photographs of Vittorio Sella, 1859-1943*, published in 1948. He became well-known for his comprehensive works on mountaineering, including the highly regarded *Mountaineering in Britain: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present Day*.
In addition to his outdoor pursuits, Clark was a prolific biographer, writing detailed accounts of notable figures such as Bertrand Russell, Benjamin Franklin, Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, and Thomas Edison. His biographies often received mixed reviews, with some critics praising their thoroughness while others noted a lack of depth in exploring the subjects' values. Notable works include *Einstein: The Life and Times* and *Freud: The Man and the Cause*, which were particularly well-received for their insightful portrayal of their subjects. Ronald W. Clark passed away in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of diverse literary contributions.
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Ronald W. Clark
Writer
- Born: November 2, 1916
- Birthplace: Wimbledon, England
- Died: March 9, 1987
Biography
Ronald William Clark was born in Wimbledon, England, in 1916, the son of William Ernest Clark, a banker, and Ethel Clark. Clark went to King’s College in Wimbledon, and after he graduated he worked as a journalist for British United Press. He later became a war correspondent for British United Press from 1943 until 1945, when he became a foreign correspondent. Clark married Irene Tapp in 1938 and the couple divorced in 1953; that year, he married Pearla Doris Oden.
An avid mountaineer and photographer, Clark combined both loves in his first book, Splendid Hills: The Life and Photographs of Vittorio Sella, 1859-1943 published in 1948. Clark wrote many other books about mountaineering. Mountaineering in Britain: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present Day (1957), written with Edward C. Pyatt, was regarded as the definitive resource on the subject.
Clark also went on to write numerous biographies. One of his more notable biographies was The Life of Bertrand Russell, published in 1975 and revised and republished in 1981 as Bertrand Russell and His World. Although considered a good chronicle of Russell’s life, some critics faulted the biography, claiming that Clark had superficially treated his subject’s values. Reviewers were similarly evenhanded about Benjamin Franklin: A Biography, published in 1983. Clark was commended for presenting a solid portrait of Franklin, but some critics complained that the book failed to provide a new depth of understanding about its subject.
Clark also published biographies of Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, and Thomas Alva Edison. Freud: The Man and the Cause (1980) and Einstein: The Life and Times (1971) were especially well received; reviewers said the Einstein biography was an excellent source of information about the scientist and stood out among the many books about Einstein. Clark died in 1987.