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Harner, Ivy Frances

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1873 - 1958

Biographical Information

Ivy Frances Harner, professor of Household Economics, was instrumental in establishing the home economics department at Purdue in the early 1900s. After earning a B.S. and M.S. from Kansas Agricultural College, she studied domestic science in Europe from 1904-1905 and later went on to serve as head of the Domestic Science Department of the Louisiana Industrial Institute. She came to Purdue in 1905 when President Winthrop Stone realized that Purdue should offer to women "opportunities comparable in scientific and technical value with those enjoyed by men." The 1907 Debris yearbook describes the early home economics department as a four years' course which involves the "economical and scientific study of such subjects as food principles. . .classification of food, chemical and microscopic composition of food, application of heat to food principles, economical and nutritive value of foods. . .food preservation and adulteration and dietetics."

Harner's autobiography was published by Harner Selvidge in 1994. It is titled, "A Pioneer Girl: An Autobiography."