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ZoBell (Claude E.) Papers
SMC 0131
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Table of contents
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Claude E. ZoBell Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SMC 0131
Physical Description:
5.2 Linear feet
(13 archives boxes and 1 film)
Date (inclusive): 1931 - 1989
Abstract: Marine microbiologist Claude E. ZoBell's biographical materials, correspondence, professional files, writings and photographs.
Publication rights are held by the Regents of the University of California.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Selected photographs from this collection have been digitized and can be viewed through links in the container list.
Acquired, 1982-1989.
Claude E. ZoBell Papers, SMC 131. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection consists of marine microbiologist Claude E. ZoBell's biographical materials, correspondence, professional files,
expedition reports, writings and photographs. Subjects of note include microbiology, oil recovery, marine ecology, the Galathea
Expedition, and ZoBell's philanthropic activities.
Arranged in six series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL FILES, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) SUBJECT FILES, 4) EXPEDITIONS, 5) WRITINGS and 6) PHOTOGRAPHS
& SLIDES.
Claude Ephraim ZoBell (1904-1989) was a forerunner in the field of marine microbiology who pioneered research on microorganisms
and microbial processes in the ocean. After graduating from the Southern Idaho College of Education in 1922, he taught and
was a principal at an elementary school in Rigby, Idaho. He resigned from teaching in 1926, attaining his M.S. in bacteriology
from Utah State University in 1929, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1931. In 1932, ZoBell joined
the Scripps Institution of Oceanography as a temporary instructor of marine microbiology. He soon became an assistant professor,
and in 1948, a full professor. In 1972 he became professor emeritus at UC San Diego.
ZoBell is credited with discovering 68 species of ocean bacteria. He was a participant on the Galathea Expedition (1950-1952),
which travelled around the world retrieving deep-sea organisms from 35,000 feet below sea level. He also embarked on the Naga
Expedition (1960), the Dodo Expedition (1964) to the Marianas Trench, and the Zetes Expedition (1966) to the Japan-Bonin Trench.
His publications include nearly 300 research papers and a landmark textbook on marine microbiology; he also founded the
Geomicrobiology Journal in 1976. ZoBell served in executive positions for a variety of scientific associations. He worked as an advisor to NASA on
the subject of spacecraft component sterility, and was a consultant for oil companies on petroleum microbiology. He devoted
a significant amount of time to activities such as Boy Scouts of America, San Diego County Council, San Diego Science Fairs,
the American Red Cross and the Zoological Society of San Diego. He also funded the construction of the Farnsworth Television
Pioneer Museum in his hometown of Rigby, Idaho and supported numerous scholarships. He died in La Jolla, California at the
age of 84.
Original film in Series 4) EXPEDITIONS is restricted. Patrons may request that a user copy be produced in advanced.
SIO Biographical Files, SAC 5. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Marine microbiology
Danske dybhavsekspedition jorden rundt (1950-1952)
Scripps Institution of Oceanography -- Photographs
Naga Expedition (1959-1961)
ZoBell, Claude E., 1904-1989 -- Archives