Marion Sparks - Photographs

In the same way she excluded herself when writing the history of the Chemistry Library, Miss Sparks was often behind the camera instead of in front of it. Below you'll find the pictures we do have of Miss Sparks, along with a range of the pictures she took of her students and around the university. There is also a picture of the plaque that currently hangs in her honor in the chemistry library, as well as a picture of the house she once resided in (along with details about other inhabitants of the house).

Printed on back of photo: "Marion E. Sparks. She was graduated from O. T. H. S. on June 2, 1892"	Ottawa Township High School graduation 1892	Sparks photograph in front of Noyes Laboratory dated April 1917	Sparks sitting on the front steps of Noyes Laboratory 1917?
Printed on back of photo: "Possibly also rec'd S. 14, '17, but probably a yr, or so later. Marion"	Sparks and an unknown woman in front of Noyes Laboratory	Printed on back of photo: "Me & the boy who took G & I to train last year. Wind blew my dress. Sat. 5pm June 9 '28."	Sparks at the reference desk (date unknown; circa 1916)
Sparks at the reference desk (smaller copy) 1916?	Sparks at the reference desk (matted)	Sparks in the library 1916?	Sparks in the library (zoomed in on her)
Sparks portrait sans glasses (c. 1920s)	Sparks portrait sans glasses (true color)	Sparks portrait with glasses (c. 1920s)	Sparks portrait with glasses (brighter version)
The Chemical Library in Harker Hall (pre-April 1916)	Chemistry Library in Noyes Lab (post-April 1916)	Sparks memorial plaque from the Chemistry Library	Sparks memorial plaque from the Chemistry Library (larger version)

The pictures below are from the Marion E. Sparks Papers, 1917-1928.
Courtesy University of Illinois Archives

Her photos include campus areas (including the chemistry and library buildings, and inside the chemistry library); her apartment; former students (with their families or in uniform duirng World War I); as well as other unidentified (but interesting) snapshots of chemistry-related tasks. There are also two previously undiscovered candid shots of Miss Sparks. The majority of the pictures were taken by Miss Sparks.

Library Building	Chemistry Building	Entrance to the Chemistry Building (covered with ivy)	Chemical Laboratory
Chemical Laboratory 1917 or 1919	Original Chemistry Library in Harker Hall 1894	"New" Chemistry Library in Noyes Laboratory (post-1916)	A view from behind the reference desk at the Chemistry Library
Sparks' apartment building at 1107 W. Oregon Street	A collection of books from Sparks' apartment (includes the Bible and several Illios)	Julian F. Smith with son Carl George. Next is the note written on the back of the photo. It was sent by Irene Smith (both were students of Sparks).	Note on back of previous picture. Written on September 8, 1924, by Irene Smith. A transcription is next to the original.
Smith family portrait - baby Carl George, Irene, and Julian F.	Sparks was photographed with the woman on the right (see the second row of the first photo group).	F. S. Kimball photographed in the Chemistry Library. The next two items (photo and letter) were from Kimball. He refers to this picture in his letter.	Handwritten on photo: "Marion E. Sparks 257 Chem. F. S. Kimball '18. C.W.S. [Chemical Warfare Service] Wash D.C."
During his service in WWI in 1918, Kimball sends this letter and mentions the day Sparks took his photo in the library.	Handwritten on photo: "Sincerely yours, Philip S. Jenks Md Lieut. Cav. O.R.C. [Officer Reserve Corps] U.S.A."	The same man Sparks is pictured with in the second row of the first group of photos.	Postcard dated November 14, 1918, from an unidentified former student serving in WWI
Back of postcard from November 14, 1918. It was cut, so we only have a portion of the message.	Unidentified man in uniform.	Unidentified man in uniform outside Noyes Lab.	Printed on back of photo: "Loading a still with sudden death"
Printed on back of photo: "The Alchemist in his Laboratory"	Sparks on the steps of Noyes Laboratory (c.1920s)	Miss Sparks with an unidentified couple (c.1920s)