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Robert C. Stebbins papers
MVZA.MSS.0238
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Title: Robert C. Stebbins papers
Dates: 1942-2003
Collection Number: MVZA.MSS.0238
Creator/Collector:
Stebbins, Robert C. (Robert Cyril), 1915-
Extent: 14 cubic feet
Repository:
UC Berkeley. Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
Berkeley, California 94720-3160
Abstract: The extensive Robert C. Stebbins papers collection consists of field notes, field books, correspondence, photographs, theses
and doctoral dissertation papers, study data and reports, valuable research notes, original maps, publication manuscripts,
the manuscript and papers for the Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, unpublished papers, conference
papers, grant and contract records, as well as EBMUD papers and documentation concerning work done in the East Bay Regional
Parks of California from the 1980s-1990s. The collection also contains many bound volumes of field notes from Stebbins' long
career as well as the collection of artwork from his career as an accomplished artist. The Stebbins collection ranges between
the dates 1942 and 1998, with some of his data dating back to 1898.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open for research.
Copyright restrictions may apply. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted to the Museum of Vertebrate
Zoology Archives in writing for approval. Please contact the Museum Archivist for further information.
[Identification of item]. Robert C. Stebbins papers. Collection Number: MVZA.MSS.0238. UC Berkeley. Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
Biography/Administrative History
Stebbins came to the MVZ in 1945, and became Curator of Herpetology in 1948; he retired as Emeritus Professor in 1978. He
is the author of more than a dozen books on herps, the best known being the Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians,
now in its Third Edition. He is currently working on a book on teaching science and ecology in grade schools. His extensive
work on reptiles in the southern California desert led to his working with state and federal officials for the creation of
the Mojave Scenic Preserve, which in 1994 became the Mojave National Preserve. In an effort to protect the desert tortoise,
he has worked hard to limit the destructive impacts of off-road vehicles in the desert. Stebbins is an accomplished artist,
having drawn and painted all of the illustrations for his Field Guide. After retirement he expanded his subject to include
landscapes; his paintings and prints are prized by collectors.
References
"MVZ Biographies." Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley. 17 July 2013. http://mvz.berkeley.edu/Biographies.html.
Scope and Content of Collection
The extensive Robert C. Stebbins papers collection consists of field notes, field books, correspondence, photographs, theses
and doctoral dissertation papers, study data and reports, valuable research notes, original maps, publication manuscripts,
the manuscript and papers for the Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, unpublished papers, conference
papers, as well as grant and contract records. The collection also contains many bound volumes of field notes from Stebbins'
long career, spanning the second half of the 20th century and locations all over the globe. However, a large body of the field
notes focuses on work done in California. The Stebbins papers also contain extensive alphabetized correspondence from throughout
his career, some of which includes photographs. Additionally the collection also contains Stebbins' EBMUD papers and documentation
concerning work done in the East Bay Regional Parks of California from the 1980s-1990s, including: correspondence with EBRP,
biological survey maps, Management Programs, Master Plans, and study proposals. Notably, this collection also contains a large
amount of artwork (mainly prints and paintings) from Stebbins' career as an accomplished artist; many of his notes and papers
contain original sketches. The majority of the Stebbins collection concerns work done in the Western United States with reptiles
and amphibians and this collection contains the original papers and manuscripts for Stebbins' most well-known work, the Peterson
Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, now in its Third Edition, including the color swatches for the artwork he
did for the guide from 2003. The collection ranges between the dates 1942 and 2003, with some of his data dating back to 1898.
The collection is 14 cubic feet.
Reptiles--North America--Identification
Reptiles--West (U.S.)-- Identification
Amphibians--North America--Identification
Ensatina
University of California (1868-1952). Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
Tilden Regional Park (Calif.)