Anna Euretta Richardson was born September 5, 1883, to William and Euretta Richardson. She received her Bachelor of Science degree (1903) from the Peabody College for Teachers. Richardson went on to study at the University of Chicago for a year, before deciding to teach. From 1905-1910, she taught in a variety of public and private schools. Richardson went back to school and received her Master's degree (1911) from Columbia University. After graduating, she started the home economic program at Agnes Scott College for Women. She was there a year before moving to Texas. She worked at the University of Texas until 1917, when she joined the Federal Board for Vocational Education. She left the Federal Board by 1922, to join Iowa State College (University) as Dean of the Home Economics Division.

While at Iowa State Dean Richardson added several faculty positions and also expanded the number of courses offered. A nursery school was established during her tenure, as was the addition to the Home Economics Building (McKay Hall). The Experiment Station research in home economics was organized and initiated during her administration as well.

Dean Richardson gave many lectures and wrote several professional papers and reports, including a bulletin called, Child Development and Parental Education in Home Economics. Dean Richardson served on many committees and boards, she was a member of: Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Delta Epsilon, Omicron Nu, Phi Upsilon Omicron, and Mortar Board.

After leaving Iowa State in 1926, Dean Richardson became a field worker in child development and parental education for the American Home Economics Association. In 1930, the University of Maryland gave her an honorary doctor of science degree.

Dean Richardson died of heart failure in February of 1931.

The collection documents the activities of Anna E. Richardson as dean of the Home Economics Division (College of Family and Consumer Science). The collection contains speeches, notes, correspondence, and other writings. Also included is biographical information, including many articles written about Dean Richardson after her death.

The collection is arranged alphabetically.