Mark Perkins Cleghorn was born August 24, 1877. He graduated from Iowa State College (University) with a B.S. (1902) in electrical engineering. Upon his graduation, he was employed by the mechanical engineering department at Iowa State as an instructor. He was promoted to Assistant Professor (1905-1908). In 1907, he received the Professional Degree of Mechanical Engineer from Iowa State University. He was promoted to Associate Professor (1908-1921) and then to Professor (1921-1967). In 1936, Cleghorn was named Chair (1936-1942) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, a position he maintained until his retirement from administrative duties.

In addition to his duties for the college, Cleghorn worked periodically as a consultant for the city of Ames regarding the municipal power station. He also served as a technical adviser to the Iowa Planning Board, Public Service Division, and played an active role in the Engineering Experiment Station at Iowa State University.

Professor Cleghorn held professional membership in Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, and Phi Kappa Phi honorary fraternities, as well as in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Engineering Education, and the Iowa Engineering Society. He received the Dunlap Award in 1951 for best paper published by "The Exponent," the journal published by the Iowa Engineering Society. In 1956, he was awarded a Faculty Citation. Cleghorn has been in listed in Who's Who in Engineering and American Men of Science.

Professor Cleghorn passed away in 1967.

This collection (1907-1967, n.d.) includes memorials, newspaper clippings, and biographical sketches regarding Professor Cleghorn. Also included are Cleghorn's research notes, manuscripts, publications, and talks to students and staff. In addition, there are files related to Cleghorn's work as part of the W. H. Meeker Portrait Committee, information regarding the 75th anniversary celebration of Iowa State University, and correspondence concerning his consulting work with the Ames' power plant. The collection also contains business and professional letters, as well as correspondence with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Engineering Education, and the Iowa Engineering Society, and letters about the locomotive "Iowa."

This collection is arranged alphabetically.