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Inventory to the papers of Joseph R. Slevin at the California Academy of Sciences
MSS.429
MSS.429
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Title: Slevin (Joseph Richard) papers
Collection number: MSS.429
Repository:
California Academy of Sciences, Special Collections
55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
Languages: Materials are in English.
Physical Description:
4.2 Cubic feet
2 archives box, 6 legal archives boxes, 1 half-size archives box, 1 flat archives box, wrapped items
Date: 1881-1957
Abstract: The collection consists of papers and materials relating to Joseph R. Slevin’s life, primarily surrounding his research of
the history of the Galapagos Islands. The collection includes manuscripts, correspondence and photographs. The collection
also contains numerous research materials relating to Slevin's work as the curator of the herpetology department at the California
Academy of Sciences.
Creator:
Slevin, Joseph Richard, 1881-1957
| 1881 | Born in San Francisco, September 13, 1881. |
| 1904 | Hired by the California Academy of Sciences in preparation for the Galapagos Islands Expedition. |
| 1905 | Sails for the Galapagos Islands onboard the schooner, Academy. |
| 1906 | Returns to San Francisco and helps to rebuild Academy after 1906 earthquake and fire. Becomes the assistant curator of the herpetology department. |
| 1928 | Becomes curator of the herpetology department. |
| 1954 | Elected Honorary Member by the California Academy of Sciences. |
| 1956 | Last bibliography of scientific publications is published. |
| 1957 | Dies in San Francisco on February 17th. |
Joseph Richard Slevin was born in San Francisco on September 13, 1881. He attended St. Ignatius College, San Francisco and
completed his studies in Humanities at St. Mary’s College in Kansas. His mother was an avid philatelist, one brother was an
ornithologist, another brother was an entomologist, and his father, Thomas E. Slevin, was a member of the California Academy
of Sciences as well as an amateur ornithologist.
Inevitably, after serving in the United States Navy and completing 20 voyages with the Oceanic Steamship Company, Joseph R.
Slevin accepted a position at the California Academy of Sciences in 1904. At this time, the Academy was preparing for a Galapagos
expedition and Slevin was found to be uniquely qualified for the trip. Prior to his departure, he was given extensive training
by Dr. John Van Denburgh, curator of the Herpetology Department. On June 28, 1905, Slevin and the crew of the schooner, Academy,
set sail for the Galapagos Islands.
While the expedition was taking place, most of the Academy’s collection was destroyed in the San Francisco 1906 earthquake.
The expedition returned November 29, 1906, and its collection of the flora and fauna of the Galapagos served as the new building
blocks for the Academy collection.
After the expedition, Slevin continued to work for the Academy as Dr. Van Denburgh’s assistant. Dr. Van Denburgh died in 1928
and Slevin assumed the curatorship for the herpetology department. In addition to his specialty in the Galapagos Islands,
Slevin collected in Mexico, the Gulf of California, Australia, Guatemala, and elsewhere.
After 53 years of service to the California Academy of Sciences, Slevin died on February 15, 1957. At the time of his death,
he had two books in manuscripts; a history of explorations in the Galapagos Islands, and a popular handbook of reptiles.
Sources Consulted: Academy News Letter, No. 207, March, 1957.
Academy News Letter, No. 164, August, 1953.
Access is unrestricted.
All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.
[Item], Joseph Richard Slevin papers, Special Collections, California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
The Smithsonian Institution holds the Schmitt/Slevin Correspondence collection.
Rollo Howard and Ida Menzies Beck papers, California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Francis Xavier Williams papers,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Edward Winslow Gifford Galápagos expedition photographs,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Alban Stewart papers,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Galapagos Islands collection,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Ornithology and Mammalogy Department field note collection,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
The collection consists of papers and materials relating to Joseph R. Slevin’s life, primarily surrounding his research of
the history of the Galapagos Islands. The collection includes manuscripts, correspondence and photographs. The collection
also contains numerous research materials relating to Slevin's work as the curator of the herpetology department at the California
Academy of Sciences.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Academy (Schooner).
California Academy of Sciences. Dept. of Herpetology.
Photographs
Field notes
Galapagos Islands.
Cowan, John S., Lt.
Cowley, William, Ambrosia
Davis, Edward, fl. 1683-1702
Hancock, Allan, 1875-
Leviton, Alan E.
Lindsay, George E., (George Edmund), 1916-
California Academy of Sciences--Curators
California Academy of Sciences--History
California Academy of Sciences--Scientists
Herpetologists
Herpetology
Natural history museum curators
Scientific expeditions--Galapagos Islands.