Title: Allyn G. Smith papers and Farallon Island photographs

Dates: 1893-1976

Collection Number: MSS-432

Creator/Collector: Smith, Allyn G., 1893-1976

Extent: 41 boxes, 8.1 cu.ft.

Repository: California Academy of Sciences

Abstract: The papers of Allyn Goodwin Smith, Research Associate in the Department of Geology and who later held multiple positions, including Curator of the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the California Academy of Sciences. The collection includes photographs, articles, diaries, field notes, correspondence, and manuscripts.

Language of Material: English

Access is unrestricted

[Identification of item]. Allyn G. Smith papers and Farallon Island photographs. Collection Number: MSS-432. California Academy of Sciences

Allyn Goodwin Smith was born in Hartford, Connecticut on June 4, 1893. At the age of fifteen he moved to Redlands, California with his parents. In 1916, after four years at the University of California, Berkeley, Mr. Smith graduated with a B.S. in electrical engineering. He soon found himself doing a three year stint in the U.S. Army as an officer. From 1917 to 1920 he served as a radio operator and as an observer. After leaving the Army, Mr. Smith was offered a position as the Chairman of the Technical Department for the U.C. Berkeley Extension. After a few years, Mr. Smith again changed his career, becoming the Administrative Superintendent of Personnel for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company. He occupied this position for twenty-nine years before his first retirement in 1954. Two years earlier, in 1952, Mr. Smith had accepted a position as a Research Associate in the Department of Geology at the California Academy of Sciences, which he had joined in 1936. Mr. Smith had always had a fascination with natural history, especially shells, and had collected them as a hobby, until Dr. G Dallas Hanna recommended him for the research post. In 1955, Mr. Smith accepted a position as Resident Malacologist and Assistant to the Director. After five years, Mr. Smith was again offered a new post, Associate Curator of Invertebrate Zoology, a recently created department at the Academy. In 1963, Mr. Smith was promoted to Curator. The following year found Mr. Smith in the Galapagos Islands as a member of the Galapagos International Scientific Project, which happened to be sponsored by his alma mater. After spending twelve years developing the Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Mr. Smith resigned his post and returned to his original Academy position as a Research Associate in the Department of Geology. His goal was to complete the cataloging and combining of his personal collection of shells with that of the Academy. Prior to his death on August 18, 1976, Mr. Smith served in leadership positions for the Institute of Malacology, the California Malacozoological Society and the American Malacological Union. He also authored or co-authored numerous publications and collected well over 10,000 specimens.

The papers of Allyn Goodwin Smith, Research Associate in the Department of Geology and who later held multiple positions, including Curator of the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the California Academy of Sciences. The collection includes photographs, articles, diaries, field notes, correspondence, and manuscripts.