At a time when the world of science was just opening up to women, Cornelia Clapp's influence as a teacher was great and enduring.
While she published little during her career, her major influence was to extend scientific knowledge and opportunity to women through education.

Her direct teaching manner can be felt in the experience of Louise Baird Wallace, who arrived at Mount Holyoke in 1891.
Her school principal in Ohio told her: “You ought to study under Dr. Clapp.
She keeps live frogs in tanks.”
Of Clapp, Louise wrote, “I came, I saw; she conquered.
I felt then and have felt ever since that I was never fully alive until I knew her.”
At a time when the world of science was just opening up to women, Cornelia Clapp's influence as a teacher was great and enduring. While she published little during her career, her major influence was to extend scientific knowledge and opportunity to women through education.
Her direct teaching manner can be felt in the experience of Louise Baird Wallace, who arrived at Mount Holyoke in 1891. Her school principal in Ohio told her: “You ought to study under Dr. Clapp. She keeps live frogs in tanks.” Of Clapp, Louise wrote, “I came, I saw; she conquered. I felt then and have felt ever since that I was never fully alive until I knew her.”
Cornelia Clapp