University of Arizona

Students, faculty, staff, and the public are now welcome to visit Special Collections without an appointment from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Papers of Clara Fish Roberts

Clara Fish Roberts School Schedule

Clara Fish Roberts was a college teacher in Arizona and taught at Northern Arizona Normal School, Flagstaff, AZ from 1903 to 1905. Roberts was the first student to enter the University of Arizona in 1891 and the only woman in the University's first graduating class of three students. She later became a founding member of the University’s Alumni Association in 1897. Later she would fight for Old Main when University President Dr. Alfred Atkinson wanted to destroy it. Roberts was also active in many Tucson area organizations including Daughters of the American Revolution, the League of Women Voters, the Tucson Women’s Club, the American Association of University Women, and the Arizona Pioneers’ Historical Society.

The collection contains letters, class attendance books, and miscellaneous material relating to Robert’s teaching position. Also included is a 45 cm. x 56 cm. oil painting by Roberts of a Tohono O'odham home on the San Xavier Indian Reservation.