Clinton W. Toms (1868-1936) graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at the age of 21 and was a school principal prior to holding the position of superintendent for Durham schools from 1894 to 1897.  Known as a progressive educator and philanthropist, he revamped the administration and arrangement of the graded school and helped to found the Durham Public Library in 1896.  He introduced a compulsory manual training course to the curriculum and also reorganized the high school curriculum into subject departments.  His efforts to secure funds to provide classroom materials brought him in contact with the Duke family.  In 1897, he left the field of education to join the American Tobacco Company.  This scrapbook documents Durham’s education system during Toms’ service as superintendent, primarily through newspaper clippings.  Also included are school exercises, correspondence, and printed material.

The Toms Scrapbook is shared online by the Durham County Library.