Clarence Augustus Manning (April 1, 1893 – October 4, 1972)[1][2] was a prominent U.S. Slavicist[1]. He worked for 43 years at the Columbia University in New York[2], eventually being appointed chairman of the Department of Slavic Studies[1]. He published a number of studies on Slavic languages, countries and people, as well as translations of important Slavic works of literature, and was a pioneer in opening the field of study of Slavic peoples in the U.S. beyond the dominance of Russian studies of the times[1].
Clarence received his bachelor's degree at the Columbia University in 1912 and master's in 1913[2]. During First World War, he worked in the intelligence police corps of the translation section of the Military Intelligence Division, having rank of sergeant[2]. In 1915 he received his PhD[2], then became a lecturer in Slavic languages in 1917 and an instructor in 1921[2].
In 1922, he became acting head of the department of Slavic languages in absence of John Dyneley Prince[3], and later that year spent three months travelling through Eastern Europe, visiting Slavic countries and Greece[4].
In 1924 he received the rank of assistant professor[2], in 1935 became assistant professor of European languages[2], and in 1947 assistant professor of Slavic languages[2]. In 1948, he received an honorary PhD from the Ukrainian Free University in Munich[2]. He was also a member of the School of Slavonic Studies, Shevchenko Scientific Society and Slavonic Institute of Prague[2].
In 1952 he became associate professor of Slavic languages[2]. He retired in 1958[2], but continued publishing until his death in 1972. He was married to Louise Marshall, and had one daughter, Alice Vail[2].