Famed Kentucky historian Dr. Thomas Clark celebrated his 101st birthday at the Hilary J. Boone Center on July 14, 2004. Pictured is Dr. Clark with saxophonist David Hall. Many of the most influential people in Kentucky gathered to celebrate with Dr. Clark. David provided the music at the event.
From the 7/11/04 Lexington Herald-Leader, by Beverly Fortune:
So much is going on with Fame and Fortune, it's just spilling over to other pages. We didn't want you to miss the special birthday coming up this week. Remember, on Wednesday, Kentucky's historian laureate, Thomas D. Clark, celebrates his 101st birthday.
We caught up with Clark on Friday -- which wasn't the easiest thing to do. He was up and out early for a University Press of Kentucky meeting, lunched out and stopped by home for a few minutes before heading to the University of Kentucky.
Doesn't sound like he's slowing down at all. "I'm trying to," he said with a chuckle.
Staying actively engaged, he said, had "very definitely" contributed to his long, rich life. "I don't go around feeling sorry for myself. I don't have time to do that."
Hilary J. Boone is throwing a birthday bash for Clark on Wednesday afternoon at the Hilary J. Boone Center on the UK campus. Clark's wife, Loretta Clark, said she thought this year his birthday might be celebrated quietly "because so much was made of it last year."
But Boone, who had Clark as a professor, said, "Anytime you live to be 100, any birthday after that calls for a party."
Click here to read an interview with Dr. Clark that was conducted by Rebecca Sharpless, director of Baylor University's Institute for Oral History.
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