Mary Yarbrough Papers 1865-2012

Mary Elizabeth Yarbrough (1904-1984) was born in Raleigh and later became one of the first women to receive a degree from N.C. State, obtaining a graduate degree (M.S. in Chemistry) in 1927. She received a B.A. from Meredith College (1926) and later received her Ph.D. and Phi Beta Kappa key from Duke University (1941). She also served as a faculty member and Chemistry professor at Meredith College from 1929-1972. Three years after her passing in 1987, The Mary Yarbrough Courtyard located on N.C. State’s North campus behind Holladay Hall, was named and dedicated in her honor, largely as a result of efforts by Doris King (see Doris Elizabeth King Papers).

Yarbrough's father, Louis T. Yarbrough (1873-1952), was an alumnus from NC State College's (now NC State University) very first graduating class (1893). Her mother, Martha Luvenia “Lula” Ellis (1875-1945), was the daughter of Andrew Jackson Ellis, a businessman and property owner near the college campus who was well-known among faculty and students. The collection also contains materials pertaining to other family members including her older sister, Catherine (later Katherine) Yarbrough, as well as her maternal grandmother, step-grandmother, and maternal aunts (Mittie Ellis Henley and Alma Ellis). Outside of her career, Mary Yarbrough was a dedicated Baptist Christian and participated in many religious community events and organizations in Raleigh. Yarbrough also harbored interest in gardening and floral arrangement, some of which is documented in the collection.

The Mary Yarbrough Papers include publications, artifacts, photographs, diplomas, and other materials about Yarbrough's personal life, family history, research, and professional organizations. There are a large number of photographs of her ancestors and her upbringing.

This collection is arranged in series: 1. Yarbrough-Ellis Family Papers; 2. Honorary and Professional Organizations; 3. Publications; 4. Personal Papers

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[Identification of item], Mary Yarbrough Papers, MC 00552, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Related Archival Materials

• Doris Elizabeth King Papers (MC 00551)

Bequest of Doris E. King, 2015 (Accession 2015.0075)

Processed by: Emily Mandara, June 2024; Todd Kosmerick, 2015 April; Finding aid by: Todd Kosmerick, 2015 April and Emily Mandara, 2024 June.