Clarissa Britain (1816–1895) was a 19th-century American inventor who received seven patents in a span of 18 months from early 1863 to 1864.

[2] After her year in Troy, New York Clarissa took a position as assistant at a seminary school in Washington, Pennsylvania.

[4] In 1862, her brother, Calvin died and she traveled back to St. Joseph, Michigan to settle his estate.

It is unclear how she made her way back to Michigan but she more than likely came in close contact with the fighting during the American Civil War.

In 1863 after settling her brother's affairs, Clarissa's professional life turned from teaching to inventions.

[8] After trying her hand at invention, Clarissa moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin where she worked as the principal at Kemper Hall for a year[2] in 1866 before returning to South Carolina to take care of her sister's seven children after their mother died.

It doesn't look like Clarissa was ever able to sell the rights to any of her inventions and her obituary never mentions her inventor career.