Edwin Ralph Leach papers
Finding aid created by California Academy of Sciences staff using RecordEXPRESS
California Academy of Sciences
2021
55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California 94118
(415) 379-5487
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Title: Edwin Ralph Leach papers
Dates: 1878-1971
Collection Number: MSS-285
Creator/Collector:
Leach, Edwin R., 1878-1971
Extent: 7 boxes (2.45 cu. ft.)
Repository:
California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco, California 94118
Abstract: The papers of Edwin Ralph Leach, an insect collector, entomological society member, and Fellow of the California Academy of
Sciences. Included are correspondence and notes.
Language of Material: English
Access is unrestricted
Edwin Ralph Leach papers. California Academy of Sciences
Biography/Administrative History
Edwin R. Leach was born on May 3, 1878 in Vallejo, California. Despite his interest in entomology and natural history, Leach
studied Mining at the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his B.S. in 1901.
He operated a copper mine in Trinity County until the Great Depression and later became the Director of Insurance Securities
Inc. He was also the Director of Buttes Gas and Oil Company. With the help of Fredrick William Nunenmacher, an entomologist
and an old friend, Leach decided to collect and research insects, specifically the Coleoptera, an order of insects with hard
front wings to cover the functioning hind wings, such as beetles and weevils.
Leach was a member of many scientific organizations, including the Pacific Coast Entomological Society (beginning in 1916).
He served as its Treasurer (1931-1942), became a life member (1943) and an honorary member (1948). He was also a member of
the California Academy of Sciences (beginning in 1920), life member (1946), patron (1946), and Fellow (1946).
Edwin Leach died on July 22, 1971. Before his death, Leach donated his insect collection (estimated to have forty to fifty
thousand specimens), to the Entomology Department at the California Academy of Sciences.
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers of Edwin Ralph Leach, an insect collector, entomological society member, and Fellow of the California Academy of
Sciences. Included are correspondence and notes.
Entomology
Beetles
Insects--Catalogs and collections