Papers of William David McElroy (1917-1999), professor of biochemistry, the fourth chancellor (1972-1980) of the University of California, San Diego; and former director (1969-1971) of the National Science Foundation.

William "Bill" McElroy was born in Rogers, Texas, in 1917. He received a bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1939, where he played football from 1938-1939. He obtained a master's degree from Reed College in Oregon in 1941 and a doctorate from Princeton University in 1943 both in biology, but it was at Princeton where McElroy first investigated bioluminescence under the mentorship of E. Newton Harvey. McElroy received 12 honorary degrees including those from University of Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins University, the University of San Diego, and the University of Bologna in Italy.

10.4 Linear feet (19 archives boxes, 11 oversize folders, 6 art bin items)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Materials contained in Box 1, Folder 9 have been restricted by the donor. Additional materials containing personal information are restricted. Also, original films are restricted; patrons must request user copies be produced.