Clara Curtis

Clara J. Phillips Curtis (1874–1932), was the wife of Edward S. Curtis, the creator of The North American Indian. They had four children. They married in 1892, and moved to Seattle where they built a successful photography practice. Edward soon became famous for the quality of his work, and Clara help managed the business.

Edward Curtis became obsessed with recording the Native American Indians before their culture was changed any more. It was widely expected that the Native Americans would perish as distinct peoples, and their culture would be entirely lost.

His lengthy absences strained the marriage, their finances were in disarray, and Clara was left to manage the business on her own. They were acrimoniously divorced at her request 1919. The three older children were grown or close too it, and the fourth child, Katharine lived with her mother.

https://www.librarything.com/character/Clara+Curtis