The Varsi Papers contain building specifications, correspondence regarding new construction at Santa Clara College, inventories of property, scientific equipment, supplies, and College mineral collections. The papers also include a list of Capuchins expelled from Guatemala, 1872.

Aloysius Varsi was born in Sardinia, March 9, 1830, ordained a Jesuit in 1845, and then sent to the United States in 1861, where he taught first at the Jesuit college in Boston, and then at Georgetown University, in Washington, DC. In 1864, Varsi came to Santa Clara College to teach physics and mathematics. In 1867, he became the 6th president of Santa Clara, serving from 1868-1876. After an unprecedented nine years as president, Varsi was appointed provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in California. He served a term of five years as superior, after which he became prefect of St. Ignatius College in San Francisco. Aloysius Varsi, S.J., died November 27, 1900 in San Francisco. He was buried at Santa Clara. During his term as president of Santa Clara College, Varsi built the impressive College theatre and dormitory, known as the "Ship."

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