Clara Benson - home movies [Military Parade, Graduation and Commencement, Toronto ca. 1940]
Clara Benson (1875-1964) was a professor of chemistry in the Faculty of Household Science. In 1899, she was the first woman to graduate from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and in 1903 was one of only two women to be awarded a PhD. In 1926, she was promoted to full professor and Head of the Department of Food Chemistry, a position she held until her retirement in 1945.
Over several decades, Clara Benson took numerous rolls of 16 mm film documenting her family, her trips, as well as life in Toronto especially during World War II, the University of Toronto and various events.
This film includes two separate segments. The first minute of footage shows street scenes of Toronto in a blizzard and a military parade passing in front of the Royal Ontario Museum. Following footage is a University of Toronto graduation which includes shots inside convocation hall; female graduates seated and with flowers standing on front campus; President Cody shaking hands with guests; women receiving degrees at commencement outdoors.
To cite: University of Toronto Archives. Clara Benson fonds. B2003-0008/030M