Charles Kirk Clarke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Kirk Clarke
|
|
|---|---|
Photo from 1914 Torontonensis yearbook
|
|
| Born |
Charles Kirk Clarke
February 16, 1857 Elora, Ontario, Canada
|
| Died | January 20, 1924 (aged 66) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Psychiatrist |
Charles Kirk Clarke (born February 16, 1857 – died January 20, 1924) was a very important psychiatrist in Canada. He helped change how people thought about and treated mental health.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Charles Kirk Clarke was born in Elora, Ontario, Canada. His father was a well-known politician in Ontario.
Clarke studied at the University of Toronto. He graduated in 1879.
Making a Difference in Mental Health
After university, Clarke became a psychiatrist. He first worked at a hospital in Toronto, Ontario. In 1880, he moved to a hospital in Hamilton, Ontario.
Clarke was a student and brother-in-law of Dr. Joseph Workman. Dr. Workman was in charge of the Toronto Asylum. Clarke believed in some early, now outdated, ideas about how mental health conditions were passed down in families. However, he later changed his mind about these ideas by 1905. Many other leading psychiatrists also stopped supporting these views after World War I.
In 1881, Dr. Clarke joined his other brother-in-law, Dr. William Metcalfe. They worked at the Rockwood Hospital for the Insane in Kingston, Ontario. Here, Clarke started many important changes to improve patient care. One big change was allowing patients more freedom.
Sadly, on August 13, 1885, a patient attacked both doctors. Dr. Metcalfe was killed, but Dr. Clarke survived. Clarke then took over as the head of the hospital. He continued his work in Kingston until 1905.
Later, he became the superintendent of the Toronto Asylum. In 1911, he left government service. He then became the superintendent of the Toronto General Hospital.
Founding the Canadian Mental Health Association
In 1914, Dr. Clarke helped start the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene. He co-founded it with Dr. Clarence Hincks. Today, this organization is known as the Canadian Mental Health Association. It is a very important group that helps people with mental health challenges.
As the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Clarke also played a big role. He helped create the Department of Psychiatry. He also helped develop the entire medical school.
Family Life
Dr. Clarke was married to Margaret DeVeber from 1880 until she passed away in 1902. They had four sons and two daughters.
Three of his sons were talented ice hockey players. They played professionally or as amateurs in Canada and the United States.
- Charles Marshall Clarke (1881–1940) played for teams like the Kingston Frontenacs and the New York Athletic Club.
- Harold Metcalfe Clarke (1885–1924) played for the Kingston Frontenacs and the University of Toronto.
- Herbert Secord Clarke (1887–1938) also played for the Kingston Frontenacs and the University of Toronto. He also played for the Cobalt Silver Kings.
From 1904 until his death in 1924, Dr. Clarke was married to Theresa Gallagher.
Later Years and Legacy
Dr. Clarke became ill in the fall of 1923. He passed away in Toronto early the next year.
A newspaper headline from March 23, 1924, said: "Canada owes immeasurable debt to Dr. C.K. Clarke who helped to lift the shadow of misery and hopelessness from insane asylums." This shows how much he helped people.
The Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto, Ontario, was named in his honor. This institute continues his work in mental health care and research.
