Clara Lee (Fraps) Tanner, (b. 1905 - d. 1997) an anthropologist, archaeologist, writer and teacher, was considered at one time to be the one of the most knowledgeable people alive on the subject of Southwest Indian arts and crafts. Born in Biscoe, North Carolina on May 28, 1905, Ms. Tanner was an Arizona resident for 90 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology at the University of Arizona and was one of the first three students to receive a Master's Degree in Archaeology there in 1928. She pursued graduate studies at the National University of Mexico and at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. In 1983 Ms. Tanner received an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Arizona.
Clara Lee Tanner was appointed to the faculty of the University of Arizona in 1928 where she taught in the Anthropology Department for fifty years. Throughout her tenure she was considered the authority on Southwest Indian arts and culture and authored an extensive list of articles and books ranging from newspaper articles to college textbooks, in addition to being a regular contributor to Arizona Highways Magazine. Tanner’s publications have been praised by the public and academics, and her major works have been distributed in 85 countries. She was also a highly sought after public speaker who expressed appreciation of the artistic achievements of Southwest Indians to her audiences in both the United States and abroad.
At 80 years old she was still an active member of the anthropological community at the University of Arizona as a Professor Emeriti and upon receiving the award made this comment: “This presentation has inspired me to honor the faith and trust of those who walk in the dynamic footsteps of Sharlot Hall, to follow her high goals and to sing praises of the rich depth and beauty of our beloved state of Arizona.”
In 1985 she received the Sharlot Hall Award, given to a living Arizona woman who has made a valuable contribution to the understanding and awareness of Arizona’s history. Among some of her many awards were the 50th Anniversary Award of the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association in 1971, was the Arizona Press Women “Woman of the Year” in 1971-72, was U of A Alumni Association’s Faculty Achievement Award winner in 1974, is listed in Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who, American Men of Science and the Mortar Board Hall of Fame. In 1993 she was given an National Lifetime Achievement in the Crafts Arts Award sponsored by the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She won numerous Arizona Press Women First Awards and three awards from the National Federation of Press Women for her books on Southwest Indian craft arts and painting, Apache baskets, and prehistoric Southwest arts.
Clara Lee (Fraps) Tanner passed away December 22, 1997, in Tucson, and in 2004 she was inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame posthumously.
Source: Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame website (https://www.azwhf.org/inductions/inducted-women/clara-lee-tanner-1905-1997/)