Olive Settles was born July 25, 1878 in Missouri. She received an bachelor of philosophy degree (Edu.Pd.B.) (1909) from Central Teachers College, Warrensburg, Missouri and a B.S. in household arts (1920) from Columbia University, New York City, New York. She taught clothing courses in elementary and high school (1910-1912) in San Bernardino and Redlands (1913-1918), California. She joined the Griest Manufacturing Company's advertising department (1920-1921) where she wrote a booklet series on modern sewing. She then taught textiles and clothing (1921-1923) at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.

Iowa State College (University) hired Professor Settles as Assistant Professor (1923-1924), and was later promoted to Associate Professor (1924-1927) in home economics at Iowa State College (University). She was Associate Professor (1927-1964), in the Department of Textiles and Clothing. Professor Settles also guest lectured at University of California (1929-1930).

Regarded as an expert on textiles, Professor Settles collected fabric samples from around the world. Professor Settles received a Faculty Citation from the Iowa State University Alumni Association in 1961 and retired from active teaching in 1962. She died March 10, 1962, and is buried in the Iowa State University Cemetery.

This collection (ca. 1910-1964, n.d.) contains biographical information, correspondence, notes, and published articles. A highlight in the collection is the group of photographs and prints of some of the textile samples she collected.

The collection is arranged in alphabetical order with biographical information at the front.