Bertha Stafford Newell, daughter of George Baker Newell, was born in Birchville, California on April 23, 1872. She graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 1906 and continued her studies in Paris and Dresden. Ms. Newell never married. Records of her residences include 2726 Haste Street in Berkeley, and 465 Post Street in San Francisco. She was a member of the California Society of Etchers and her work is in the collection of Mills College in Oakland. Bertha Stafford Newell died in San Francisco on April 9, 1940.