Consists of materials reflecting the Grinnell's work in the fields of natural history and ecology. The bulk of the collection is made up of diaries, field notes, and materials relating to early conservation efforts in California. Also included are drafts of articles by Joseph Grinnell regarding the natural history of the west, personal and professional correspondence of the Grinnell's, including Joseph Grinnell's work as editor of The Condor, the publication of the Cooper Ornithological Society.

Joseph Grinnell was born on February 27, 1877 near Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory at the Kiowa, Comanche and Wichita Indian Agency, where his father served as government physician. After living for a short time in Tennessee and in the Dakota Territory, the family settled in Pasadena, California in 1885. Grinnell attended school in Pasadena and received his B.A. from Throop Polytechnic Institute (now Caltech) in 1897.

Number of containers: 11 boxes, 1 volume, 1 oversize folder Linear feet: 5

Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Collection is open for research.