Clark C Spence

Clark C. Spence was professor emeritus of history at the University of Illinois. Known as the dean of mining historians, he published fourteen books over a career spanning six decades. He was the first president of the Mining History Association and the eighth president of the Western History Association. In 2001 the Mining History Association established the Clark Spence Award, presented to books in mining history that best champion the research, interpretation, and writing skills practiced by Spence throughout his career.