Guide to the Myrtle Elizabeth Johnson Papers
© Copyright 2008 Special Collections & University Archives. All rights reserved.
2008-01-16
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Guide to the Myrtle Elizabeth Johnson Papers
1904/1928
Special Collections & University Archives
Overview of the Collection
Collection Title: Myrtle Elizabeth Johnson Papers
Dates: 1904-1928
Identification: MS-0347
Creator:
Johnson, Myrtle Elizabeth, 1881-1967
Physical Description: 3.75 linear ft
Language of Materials:
English
Repository:
Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Biographical Information:
Myrtle Johnson was professor of biology at San Diego State Teachers College from 1921 to 1946, and served as chair of the
biology department from 1928 until 1940. Her field of specialization was marine biology, and she authored several books on
the subject,
Seashore Animals of the Pacific Coast, and
West Coast Marine Shells. She received her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
Johnson was instrumental in initiating on-campus training for student nurses at Mercy Hospital, the forerunner of the present
day School of Nursing.
Dr. Johnson was a fellow of three prestigious organizations: the American Association for the Advancement of Science, California
Academy of Sciences, and the San Diego Society of Natural History. In addition, she was an active outdoors-woman, and was
a member of several nature organizations such as the San Diego Zoological Society, Sierra Club, and Audubon Society. She
died in 1967.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Corporate Name:
San Diego State University -- Faculty -- Biography -- Sources
Genre/Form of Material:
Personal Papers
Photographs
Personal Name:
Johnson, Myrtle Elizabeth, 1881-1967 -- Archives
Johnson, Myrtle Elizabeth, 1881-1967 -- Travel
Topical Term:
Marine animals -- Pacific Coast (America)
Photograph albums -- Specimens
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Conditions Governing Access:
This collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation:
Identification of item, folder title, box number, Myrtle Elizabeth Johnson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives,
Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
Related Materials:
San Diego Scrapbook Collection
Sierra Club Collection
San Diego Photograph Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of manuscript drafts for the book
Seashore Animals of the Pacific Coast, photographs, and scrapbooks. The scrapbooks are particularly noteworthy, and contain images of the 1915-1916 San Diego Exposition
and other scenes of life in the early city. The photograph albums document Johnson's frequent participation in the annual
Sierra Club outings to Yosemite and other national parks between 1914 and 1928, and include photographs of wilderness scenery,
wildlife, and scenes from camp such as games, campfires, hikes, and meals with outing participants.
Detailed List of Contents
Box 1, Folder 1
Final draft, chapters 1-7
Box 1, Folder 2
Final draft, chapters 8-10
Box 1, Folder 3
Final draft, chapters, 11-12
Box 1, Folder 4
Final draft, bibliography and glossary
Box 1, Folder 6
Chapter 1, "The Collecting Grounds & How to Collect"
Box 1, Folder 7
Chapter 2, "Classification of Animals"
Box 1, Folder 8
Chapter 3, "Life in Ocean"
Box 1, Folder 9
Chapter 4, "Phylum Porifera"
Box 1, Folder 10
Chapter 5, " Phylum Coelenterata"
Box 2, Folder 1
Chapter 6, "Phylum Vermes"
Box 2, Folder 2
Chapter 7, " Phylum Mollusca"
Box 2, Folder 3
Chapter 7, "Phylum Mollusca" (cont'd)
Box 2, Folder 4
Chapter 9, "Phylum Echinodermata"
Box 2, Folder 5
Chapter 9," Phylum Echinodermata" (cont'd)
Box 2, Folder 6
Chapter 10, " Phylum Arthropoda"
Box 2, Folder 7
Chapter 10, "Phylum Athropoda" (cont'd)
Box 2, Folder 8
Chapter 11, " Phylum Mollusca"
Box 2, Folder 9
Chapter 12," Phylum Chordata"
Box 3
Photo/Scrapbook Album, University of California (Berkeley). Scrapbook pages "bound in" with photo album pages to give a complete
picture of Johnson's University education years
Box 3
Photo album, ca. 1906, University of California (Berkeley). Campus views, house, and housemates, Capitola
Box 4
Photo album, ca. 1907-1919. California travels: Tournament of Roses Parade (1914); Pasadena High School field trips; San Diego
Exposition (1915); La Jolla; Pasadena home, family, friends; family pictures; Santa Barbara; Biological Station and Scripps
Institute, La Jolla (1907, 1910), Mission Bay
Box 4
Photo album, 1914 Yosemite (Photos by Shepp or Johnson-not clear)
Box 5
Photo album, 1926, Yellowstone outing of the Sierra Club
Box 5
Loose purchased print, Mossbrae Falls, California
Box 6
Photo album, Pala Mission; winter mountains; family type cabin scenes
n.d.
Box 6
Photo album, camping scenes; Nellie Post Office
1920s
Box 6
Photo album, La Jolla caves; Hotel del Coronado; San Diego County camping (probably local mountains); group of women (possibly
teachers); 3 group class photos; family photo? (some duplicates of book 1 above)
Box 6
Photo album, various bird photos (possibly Berkeley, 1904)
Box 7
Scrapbook, Berkeley campus; Yosemite photos; Panama-California Exposition photos and M. Johnson parents tickets; Sierra Club
Southern California roster
c. 1920s
Box 7
Scrapbook, M. Johnson's parents trip back east, 1916, many photos missing, there are some letters included from mother to
children
Box 8
Photo album, 1928 Sierra Club trip
Box 8
Photo album, trip to East Coast along southern states
n.d.
Box 9
Photo album, trip up west coast
n.d.
Box 9
Photo album, 1929 Sierra Club outing (Sierras)
Box 10
Photo album, 1913 Sierra Club outing (Sierras)
Box 10
Photo album, 1924 (Sierra Club)? outing (Glacier Park)
