Voluminous writer, activist Dorothy Clarke Wilson dies

ORONO – Well-known author and local philanthropist Dorothy Clarke Wilson died Wednesday morning at the age of 98.

Wilson wrote about 25 books, including “Doc Pritham” and “Lincoln’s Mother,” but it was her 1949 novel “Prince of Egypt” that brought her large-scale recognition. A fictional account of Moses, the leader who brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, the novel sold more than 500,000 copies in paperback and the motion picture rights were purchased by Paramount Pictures Corp.

The book was later used as a source for Cecil B. Demille’s 1956 film, “The Ten Commandments.”

Starting with her time at Bates College in the 1920s, the Gardiner native focused on social activism and pacifism in her poems, plays, novels and lectures. During her senior year, Wilson’s extensive research garnered her a $50 prize for her essay “Arbitration Instead of War.”

Wilson wrote more than 70 plays, many of which examined religious topics. In 1949, she was recognized as having more plays in production than any other playwright in the world.

As Wilson’s attorney for a number of years, Orono resident Ted Curtis described her as a “no-nonsense lady,” who had a high level of social concern, particularly for the plight of Palestinian refugees.

“She was very concerned about the problems of the downtrodden of the world,” Curtis said.

Wilson’s concern for her fellow people has benefited Orono’s religious community for a half-century. In the late 1950s, she and her late husband, Rev. Elwin Wilson, used prize money from “The Prince of Egypt” to purchase a home on the edge of the University of Maine campus, where the couple started an ecumenical ministry in their basement for students.

Dorothy Clarke Wilson later became a major benefactor of the Wilson Center, the off-campus Protestant student center named after her husband.

The writer also took a special interest in the Vellore Christian Medical College and Hospital in India.

Wilson visited the college and wrote four biographies about doctors of the college, including its female founder and a paraplegic doctor of physical medicine. Dr. Robert Carman, a former doctor and teacher at the college, said Wilson’s work brought a good deal of recognition to the school and was used as study books by a number of denominations.

“It was a major promotion for the work going on at the college,” Carman said Wednesday from his home in Bloomington, Ind. “It put Vellore on the missions map for many years.”

Peace activism also held a special place in Wilson’s heart, most recently in her work with the Orono Peace Group. Member Stan Musgrave said Wilson gave sound advice and shared concerns of man’s humanity and inhumanity.

“She was a loyal contributor and always had good suggestions about dealing with problems or people,” Musgrave said. “She was one of the greatest.”

Each year, her legacy is honored with peace prizes that bear her name. One is awarded to an Orono High School student and another to a UM student.

Wilson will be cremated and her remains will be buried in a family cemetery plot in Bethel. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Orono United Methodist Church.