David A. Clarke
Encyclopedia
David Allen "Dave" Clarke (October 13, 1943 – March 27, 1997) was a civil rights worker, lawyer, and Democratic
politician in Washington, D.C.
He was elected as one of the original members of the Council of the District of Columbia
in 1974 when D.C. gained home rule, and he later served as the council's chairman from 1983 to 1991 and then again after the 1993 death of John A. Wilson
until his own death in 1997.
The David A. Clarke School of Law
was named after Clarke in 1998.
and Skyland
neighborhoods, attending D.C. public schools Thompson Elementary, Jefferson High, and Western High School. He continued his education in D.C., obtaining a B.A.
in religion from George Washington University
in 1965 and a J.D.
from the Howard University
School of Law.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
He was elected as one of the original members of the Council of the District of Columbia
Council of the District of Columbia
The Council of the District of Columbia is the legislative branch of the local government of the District of Columbia. As permitted in the United States Constitution, the District is not part of any U.S. state and is instead overseen directly by the federal government...
in 1974 when D.C. gained home rule, and he later served as the council's chairman from 1983 to 1991 and then again after the 1993 death of John A. Wilson
John A. Wilson
John A. Wilson was an American politician.Wilson served in 1974 as the chairman of the drive to approve the referendum to adopt the Home Rule Charter for the District of Columbia...
until his own death in 1997.
The David A. Clarke School of Law
David A. Clarke School of Law
The David A. Clarke School of Law is the law school of the University of the District of Columbia . It is Washington, D.C.'s only public law school.-History:...
was named after Clarke in 1998.
Early life and education
Clarke was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in its ShawShaw, Washington, D.C.
Shaw is a neighborhood located in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. It is roughly bounded by M Street, NW or Massachusetts Avenue NW to the south; New Jersey Avenue, NW to the east; Florida Avenue, NW to the north; and 11th Street, NW to the west...
and Skyland
Skyland, Washington, D.C.
Skyland is a neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is bounded by Good Hope Road to the northeast, Alabama Avenue to the southeast, and Fort Stanton Park to the south and west...
neighborhoods, attending D.C. public schools Thompson Elementary, Jefferson High, and Western High School. He continued his education in D.C., obtaining a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in religion from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in 1965 and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
School of Law.
Political career
- November 5, 1974 — elected Ward 1 council member
- November 7, 1978 — reelected Ward 1 council member
- November 2, 1982 — elected council chairman
- November 4, 1986 — reelected council chairman
- September 11, 1990 — ran for mayor and was defeated in primary by Sharon Pratt Dixon
- September 14, 1993 — elected council chairman in special election after death of John A. WilsonJohn A. WilsonJohn A. Wilson was an American politician.Wilson served in 1974 as the chairman of the drive to approve the referendum to adopt the Home Rule Charter for the District of Columbia...
with 47 percent, beating Charlene Drew JarvisCharlene Drew JarvisCharlene Drew Jarvis is an American educator and former scientific researcher and politician who served as the president of Southeastern University until March 31, 2009...
(29 percent), Linda Cropp (16 percent), and Marie Drissel (6 percent) - November 8, 1994 — reelected council chairman
- December 30, 1996 — entered Georgetown University HospitalGeorgetown University HospitalGeorgetown University Hospital is one of the national capital area's oldest academic teaching hospitals and is affiliated with Georgetown University School of Medicine. GUH is a not-for-profit, acute-care teaching and research facility located in Northwest Washington, DC...
; council chairman pro tempore Charlene Drew JarvisCharlene Drew JarvisCharlene Drew Jarvis is an American educator and former scientific researcher and politician who served as the president of Southeastern University until March 31, 2009...
took over as acting chairman - March 27, 1997 — died in office