Fredrica Van Trice Shattuck was born in Monroe, Wisconsin, on November 11, 1883, to George Luther and Ann (Raymer) Shattuck. Shortly after she was born, the family moved to Medford, Wisconsin. She received her B.A. (1905) in drama from the University of Wisconsin.

Shattuck arrived at Iowa State College (University) as Instructor (1907-1913) of public speaking. She was promoted to Assistant Professor (1913-1914), Associate Professor (1914-1916), Professor (1916-1969), and Head (1916-1930) of the department. Shattuck retired from teaching in 1956 at which time she became librarian of the browsing library in the Memorial Union.

At Iowa State, Shattuck was a visible member of the faculty and a great promoter of speech and drama throughout the state. She taught Extension short courses, presented at teacher training seminars across the state, and created "The Little Country Theatre" as an Iowa State Fair exhibit, which was a one-act play presented free to the public and continued for eight years. Shattuck also founded the Iowa State Players in 1914 and produced, directed, and staged theater productions for over twenty years.

Shattuck was a member of the Speech Association of America, which she helped found in 1915, a member of Phi Kappa Phi, and the American Association of University Women. She was included in the first edition of Who's Who of American Women (1959) and was a charter member of the Iowa State Chapter of Mortar Board. Shattuck was awarded the Alumni Faculty Citation (1953) and the campus theater was named after her in 1960.

Shattuck died on November 20, 1969, in Ames, Iowa.

This collection (1913-1993, undated) contains papers related to Fredrica Shattuck's career at Iowa State including biographical information, correspondence, and materials related to drama and debate activities on campus.

The correspondence contains references to the 1918 flu epidemic on campus; letters regarding student affairs while Shattuck was Acting Adviser to Women (1919); requests for information about drama and play selections; requests for readings throughout the state; job inquiries and recommendations; and also a June 17, 1924, letter that mentions the beginning of "The Little Country Theatre." Much of the correspondence following Shattuck's death is between Dr. W. R. Underhill, then Chair of the Department of Speech, and Shattuck's niece Edwina Call regarding the creation of a memorial fund in Shattuck's honor.

The collection also contains departmental information, correspondence, and materials related to Shattuck's various activities. These materials include information about the debate team, "The Little Country Theatre" at the Iowa State Fair, and drama expenses and supplies. Shattuck also taught at teachers' institutes throughout the state, and programs and announcements for these events are also included in the collection.

The collection is organized alphabetically.