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Trent, Clarence. Papers A Guide to the Clarence Trent Papers 1958-1991 Ms.1985.010

A Guide to the Clarence Trent Papers 1958-1991 Ms.1985.010


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

Laura Katz Smith

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.1985.010
Title
Clarence Trent Papers 1958-1991
Quantity
0.5 Cubic Feet, 1 box
Creator
Trent, Clarence E. (Clarence Elmore), 1904-1991
Language
The materials in the collection are in English.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Trent, Clarence Papers, 1958-1991, Ms1985-010, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Biographical Note

Clarence E. Trent was born on September 26, 1904. A native of Northfolk, West Virginia, Trent attended Bluefield Junior College in Bluefield, Virginia, where he earned a two-year academic diploma in 1925. In 1930 and 1931 he earned a BS and an MS in Electrical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). In 1935 and 1936 he earned BS and MME degrees in Mechanical Engineering at VPI. Trent was appointed an assistant professor at VPI in 1931, teaching at first in the Department of Mathematics. In 1932 he was sent to Bluefield, Virginia, to organize the VPI Engineering Branch School in cooperation with Bluefield College. He served as head of the Branch School for eleven years. He returned to VPI campus in 1943, where he remained until his retirement in 1973, teaching both electrical and mechanical engineering. Trent played an active role in the history of the Virginia Section of the Amercian Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) from 1945 until his death in 1991. In 1981 he was awarded the grade of Life Fellow of the ASME. Serving on the History and Heritage Committee, Trent was a prime force in the selection of two national mechanical engineering landmarks: the Jackson Ferry Shot Tower at Fort Chiswell, Virginia, and Norfolk and Western Railway's 611 steam locomotive. Trent was the co-author (along with Earl B. Norris) of the book Applied Thermodynamics (New York: McGraw Hill, 1955). He died on December 1, 1991, at the age of 87.

Scope and Contents

The Trent papers contain materials dealing with his activities in the ASME, the Lutheran Campus Ministry at VPI, and engineering education. Further biographical information on Trent may be found in Folder 1 and 27, the latter of which deals with the Distinguished Alumnus Certificate which Bluefield College awarded him in 1986.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged according to subject matter.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
  • Railroad
  • Science and Technology
  • University History
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1970-)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Trent, Clarence Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Trent, Clarence E. (Clarence Elmore), 1904-1991
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Container List

Biographical
ca. 1982-89
  • box-folder 1 folder: 1
    Biographical Information
    ca. 1982-89
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
1958-91, n.d.
  • box-folder 1 folder: 2
    Correspondence
    1958
  • box-folder 1 folder: 3
    Correspondence
    1971-72
  • box-folder 1 folder: 4
    Correspondence
    1973-81
  • box-folder 1 folder: 5
    Correspondence
    1982-83
  • box-folder 1 folder: 6
    Correspondence
    1984-91
  • box-folder 1 folder: 7
    Nominations for honors and officers
    ca. 1965-79
  • box-folder 1 folder: 8
    Norfolk and Western Railway Locomotive 2300
    1979
  • box-folder 1 folder: 9
    History of Virginia section of the ASME--documents, drafts, etc.
    1979-83
  • box-folder 1 folder: 10
    "Comments on Prof. C.H. Long's Activities with the ASME"
    1980
  • box-folder 1 folder: 11
    Fink Truss Bridge relocation
    1980
  • box-folder 1 folder: 12
    ASME Fellow
    1980-81
  • box-folder 1 folder: 13
    National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks--publications
    2-13
  • box-folder 1 folder: 14
    Regional Administration Committee
    1982
  • box-folder 1 folder: 15
    History and Heritage Committee
    1982-86
  • box-folder 1 folder: 16
    Jackson Ferry Shot Tower (Wythe County) ASME National Historic Landmark dedication--correspondence, notes, etc.
    1980-81
  • box-folder 1 folder: 17
    Jackson Ferry Shot Tower (Wythe County)--photographs
    1981
  • box-folder 1 folder: 18
    Jackson Ferry Shot Tower (Wythe County) ASME National Historic Landmark dedication--thank you letters
    1981
  • box-folder 1 folder: 19
    Jackson Ferry Shot Tower (Wythe County) ASME National Historic Landmark dedication--newspaper articles, press releases
    1981-82
  • box-folder 1 folder: 20
    Jackson Ferry Shot Tower (Wythe County) photocopied formula book
    n.d.
  • box-folder 1 folder: 21
    Norfolk and Western Class J Locomotive No. 611 AMSE National Historic Landmark dedication--correspondence
    ca. 1982-85
  • box-folder 1 folder: 22
    Norfolk and Western Class J Locomotive No. 611 ASME National Historic Landmark dedication--photographs
    1984
  • box-folder 1 folder: 23
    Norfolk and Western Class J Locomotive No. 611 ASME National Historic Landmark dedcation--ceremony
    1984
  • box-folder 1 folder: 24
    Norfolk and Western Class J Locomotive No. 611 ASME National Historic Landmark dedication--publications
    ca. 1984-89
General
1968-77, 1982-86, n.d.
  • box-folder 1 folder: 25
    Engineering education subject files
    ca. 1968-77
  • box-folder 1 folder: 26
    Lutheran Campus Ministry
    1982-86
  • box-folder 1 folder: 27
    Bluefield College Distinguished Alumnus certificate
    1984-86
  • box-folder 1 folder: 28
    Unidentified photographs
    n.d.