Spence, Clara Beebe (1863-1923)

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Clara Beebe Spence to Jane Addams, August 11, 1912

Henrietta Octavia Rowland Barnett to Jane Addams, October 31, 1920

Jane Addams to Henrietta Octavia Rowland Barnett, November 11, 1920

Henrietta Octavia Rowland Barnett to Jane Addams, September 1922

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Birth Date

1863-05-24

Death Date

1923-08-09

Birthplace

Bath, NY

Biographical Text

Clara Beebe Spence was an activist who led to adoption becoming an accepted and common practice. She attended Boston University’s School of Oratory and London University, originally planning to be an actress, but then turned to teaching at private schools for girls in New York City. In 1892, Spence founded her own school, where she also opened a nursery for abandoned babies. Spence used her school to promote adoption, an uncommon practice at the time. Her nursery later became the Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children.

Spence was in a partnership with Charlotte Baker. Both women each adopted two children. Spence died in 1923.

Occupation

Child welfare activist

Social reform activist

Teacher

Collection

People

Map

Edited By

DeLora, Renee

Lichon, Sara Catherine

Bradley, Ed

Rights

Public domain

Gender

Female

First appears

1912

Bibliography and Links

"Founder of Famous Spence School Dies." The Scranton Republican, August 11, 1923, p. 9.

B Clara Spence, 1900 United States Federal Census

SNAC

U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925

We Celebrate Clara Spence, Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children

Citation

“Spence, Clara Beebe (1863-1923),” Jane Addams Digital Edition, accessed September 20, 2024, http://mail.digital.janeaddams.ramapo.edu/items/show/4532.