Malcolm Michael Clendenin

Malcolm Michael Clendenin, Ph.D. of Philadelphia, PA, an art historian, passed away on February 8, 2011 in Washington, DC at the age of 46. The son of Cynthia Toussaint Clendenin and the late Thomas Michael Clendenin, M.D. of Haverford, PA, Dr. Clendenin graduated from The Episcopal Academy and cum laude from Harvard College. He received his doctorate in the History of Art from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. A specialist in the history of modern architecture, Dr. Clendenin had taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, and Drexel University. He was the editor of "Adorn the Halls": History of the Art Collection at Thomas Jefferson University published in 1999, and served as the Opler Editorial Assistant for the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. He authored or coauthored numerous essays for the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, exploring the historic and thematic contexts of buildings and neighborhoods. Doctor Clendenin also collaborated on research on the architecture and history of Philadelphia's City Hall for the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. At the time of his death Dr. Clendenin was a Research Associate at the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Doctor Clendenin had played the violin since childhood and was a founding member of the Walnut Street Chamber Trio. He also was intent on athletic pursuits and was a past officer of Philadelphia Frontrunners. An avid traveler, Dr. Clendenin had made numerous trips to Europe and Asia and spent an extended period in France and Belgium in 2007-2008. In addition to his mother, Dr. Clendenin is survived by two sisters: Cynthia Jane Clendenin, V.M.D. of Philadelphia, PA and Carol Clendenin Jones of Redway, CA. A memorial celebration of Dr. Clendenin's life was held March 19, 2011 at the Fine Arts Library of the University of Pennsylvania. Contributions in his memory may be made to the John McCoubrey and Malcolm Campbell Student Travel Funds at the History of Art Department of the University of Pennsylvania.