Katharine Benedicta Trotter Claypole

Katharine Benedicta Trotter Claypole (1846 – 6 October 1901) She was secretary of the Ohio Woman Suffrage Association and a collaborator in the work of her husband, naturalist and geologist Edward W. Claypole. Katharine Claypole was described as 'the founder... of organized woman's work' at Buchtel College (now the University of Akron).

Early life Kate Benedicta Trotter was born in Chepstow, Wales in 1846. In 1874, she passed the general examinations for women of the University of London in the first division. In about 1878,

Akron and activism In 1883, Edward Claypole was appointed chair of Natural Sciences at Buchtel College, and the family moved to Akron, Ohio. As well as working for suffrage, Katharine organised a local council of women's societies in Akron. some of which were published in Popular Science Monthly. Katherine was often credited as Edward Claypole's collaborator in his work as a scientist. Both were cremated, according to their expressed wishes.

After her death, members of the Akron Women's Council established the Katherine Claypole Students' Loan Fund, In 1930, Ohio's League of Women Voters included Katherine Claypole on its State Honor Roll.