Clarence Corey, or C.C., Crawford, was born November 21, 1879 in Illinois. He spent some of his youth on a farm near Drexel, Missouri before coming to the Univesity of Kansas, where he received both his A.B. and A.M. degrees in 1903 and 1904, respectively. Crawford went on to receive his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in 1906.

Crawford's particular research interests were in English legal history, particularly focused on the suspension of the habeas corpus act. He also taught naval history during World War II. He taught in the History Department at the University of Kansas from 1907 until his retirement in 1950, with small breaks to teach at the University of Minnesota and Chicago University.

Crawford married Elizabeth Goff Ticknor of Madison, Wisconsin in July 1906. They had two children, Richard and George. C.C. Crawford died in September 1962.

[Information retrieved from "Funeral is Held for Ex-Professor," Lawrence Journal World, September 10, 1962, found in Faculty Scrapbook volume 12, SB/41/12, University Archives, University of Kansas.]