Agnes Gray Dexter papers (16.2.16)

Born 1889 December 1 in Pawtucket, RI, Mary Gray Dexter attended Rhode Island School of Design's Saturday Children's classes, 1901-1904, then returned in 1908 as a student in the Department of Textile Design led by Herman O. Werner. She received her diploma in 1911 and took evening classes during the 1911-1912 academic year. Dexter was appointed head designer for the Shannock Narrow Fabric Co., Pawtucket, RI in 1911 May. She joined the American Textile Co., Pawtucket, RI in 1912 as the first female commercial lace designer in the United States.

Dexter married Erwin Clayberg Tompkins 1915 May 27. A graduate of Brown University (1911), Tompkins became manager of the Nueholf Packing Co., Nashville, TN. Dexter died in Franklin, TN 1983 September 4.