Emily DeSpain Polk

Background

Polk, Emily DeSpain was born on July 6, 1910 in Aberdeen, Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Daughter of John Dove Isaacs and Constance Ashley (DeSpain) Van Norden.

Education

Student, University Oregon, 1929. Student, Oregon State University, 1931. Student, Rudolph Shaefer School of Art, San Francisco, 1932.

Career

Head display & design V.C. Morris, San Francisco, 1931-1937. Founder, Chief Executive Officer DeSpain Design, Los Angeles and New York City, 1937-1944, 63-64. Ornamental & interior design architect Benjamin Polk Architect, Calcutta and New Delhi, 1952-1963.

Owner Galeria de San Luis, San Luis Obispo, California, 1966-1968. Founder, Chief Executive Officer Small Wilderness Area Preservation, Los Osos, 1969-1979.

Achievements

• Emily DeSpain Polk has been listed as a notable conservationist, writer by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Delhi, old & new.

    (Hardcover book.)

  • Delhi Old And New

Membership

Member council National Museum Women in the Arts, Washington, 1991-1993. Delegate, speaker Pan Asian Cultural Conference, Calcutta, 1963, India House, New York, 1963, The Women's Club, 1964, American Association of University Women, 1998. Member Society Women Geographers (California delegate, speaker 50th Anniversary Celebrations 1972, Library. of Congress Oral History Women of Achievement Program 1995), Small Wilderness Area Preservation, California History Society, California Oaks Foundation, American Women's Club (president 1962), National Indian Association Women (president), English Speaking Union (board directors), Gyan Chakra Literary Gp.

(founder).

Connections

Married Benjamin Kauffman Polk, August 23, 1946.

Father:

John Dove Isaacs Norden

Mother:

Constance Ashley (DeSpain) Van Norden

Spouse:

Benjamin Kauffman Polk