Louisa Catherine Allen Gregory was a pioneer in the field of Domestic science. She was born in 1848 in Scott County, Kentucky, and graduated from Decatur High School. She continued her pursuit of education, attending Normal University. In 1874 Louisa Allen became a faculty member at Illinois Industrial University, as a pioneer member of the School of Domestic Science and Art. In June 1880, she resigned as a professor at the University of Illinois after marrying Regent John Milton Gregory in 1879. She died in 1920.