Inventory to the papers of Joseph R. Slevin at the California Academy of Sciences
MSS.429
Slevin (Joseph R.) Papers
Finding aid prepared by Christina V. Fidler
California Academy of Sciences Archives
55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA, 94118
415-379-5484
library@calacademy.org
April 24, 2009
Note
Box list on web Bio on server at N:\library\ARCHIVES\1 Biography\Wynne biographies and N:\library\ARCHIVES\1 Biography\Biography
- Text
Descriptive Summary
Title: Slevin (Joseph Richard) papers
Collection number: MSS.429
Repository:
California Academy of Sciences, Special Collections
55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
Languages: Materials are in English.
Physical Description:
4.2 Cubic feet
2 archives box, 6 legal archives boxes, 1 half-size archives box, 1 flat archives box, wrapped items
Date: 1881-1957
Abstract: The collection consists of papers and materials relating to Joseph R. Slevin’s life, primarily surrounding his research of
the history of the Galapagos Islands. The collection includes manuscripts, correspondence and photographs. The collection
also contains numerous research materials relating to Slevin's work as the curator of the herpetology department at the California
Academy of Sciences.
Language of materials: Materials are in English.
Location note: AR6/I/1-AR6/K/3 and PR6/B/5
Creator:
Slevin, Joseph Richard, 1881-1957
Chronology
Chronology
| 1881 |
Born in San Francisco, September 13, 1881. |
| 1904 |
Hired by the California Academy of Sciences in preparation for the Galapagos Islands Expedition. |
| 1905 |
Sails for the Galapagos Islands onboard the schooner, Academy. |
| 1906 |
Returns to San Francisco and helps to rebuild Academy after 1906 earthquake and fire. Becomes the assistant curator of the
herpetology department.
|
| 1928 |
Becomes curator of the herpetology department. |
| 1954 |
Elected Honorary Member by the California Academy of Sciences. |
| 1956 |
Last bibliography of scientific publications is published. |
| 1957 |
Dies in San Francisco on February 17th. |
Biographical note
Joseph Richard Slevin was born in San Francisco on September 13, 1881. He attended St. Ignatius College, San Francisco and
completed his studies in Humanities at St. Mary’s College in Kansas. His mother was an avid philatelist, one brother was an
ornithologist, another brother was an entomologist, and his father, Thomas E. Slevin, was a member of the California Academy
of Sciences as well as an amateur ornithologist.
Inevitably, after serving in the United States Navy and completing 20 voyages with the Oceanic Steamship Company, Joseph R.
Slevin accepted a position at the California Academy of Sciences in 1904. At this time, the Academy was preparing for a Galapagos
expedition and Slevin was found to be uniquely qualified for the trip. Prior to his departure, he was given extensive training
by Dr. John Van Denburgh, curator of the Herpetology Department. On June 28, 1905, Slevin and the crew of the schooner, Academy,
set sail for the Galapagos Islands.
While the expedition was taking place, most of the Academy’s collection was destroyed in the San Francisco 1906 earthquake.
The expedition returned November 29, 1906, and its collection of the flora and fauna of the Galapagos served as the new building
blocks for the Academy collection.
After the expedition, Slevin continued to work for the Academy as Dr. Van Denburgh’s assistant. Dr. Van Denburgh died in 1928
and Slevin assumed the curatorship for the herpetology department. In addition to his specialty in the Galapagos Islands,
Slevin collected in Mexico, the Gulf of California, Australia, Guatemala, and elsewhere.
After 53 years of service to the California Academy of Sciences, Slevin died on February 15, 1957. At the time of his death,
he had two books in manuscripts; a history of explorations in the Galapagos Islands, and a popular handbook of reptiles.
Sources Consulted: Academy News Letter, No. 207, March, 1957.
Academy News Letter, No. 164, August, 1953.
Conditions governing access:
Access is unrestricted.
Reproduction:
All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.
Preferred citation
[Item], Joseph Richard Slevin papers, Special Collections, California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Related materials
The Smithsonian Institution holds the Schmitt/Slevin Correspondence collection.
Rollo Howard and Ida Menzies Beck papers, California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Francis Xavier Williams papers,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Edward Winslow Gifford Galápagos expedition photographs,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Alban Stewart papers,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Galapagos Islands collection,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Ornithology and Mammalogy Department field note collection,California Academy of Sciences Library, San Francisco, CA.
Scope and content
The collection consists of papers and materials relating to Joseph R. Slevin’s life, primarily surrounding his research of
the history of the Galapagos Islands. The collection includes manuscripts, correspondence and photographs. The collection
also contains numerous research materials relating to Slevin's work as the curator of the herpetology department at the California
Academy of Sciences.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Academy (Schooner).
California Academy of Sciences. Dept. of Herpetology.
Photographs
Field notes
Galapagos Islands.
Cowan, John S., Lt.
Cowley, William, Ambrosia
Davis, Edward, fl. 1683-1702
Hancock, Allan, 1875-
Leviton, Alan E.
Lindsay, George E., (George Edmund), 1916-
California Academy of Sciences--Curators
California Academy of Sciences--History
California Academy of Sciences--Scientists
Herpetologists
Herpetology
Natural history museum curators
Scientific expeditions--Galapagos Islands.
Series 1: Biographical and personal materials
Mixed materials 1, Folder 2
Obituaries of Joseph R. Slevin
1957
Mixed materials 1, Folder 3
In Memoriam - Thomas Edwards Slevin, The Magnetic Pole, Geographical Society of the Pacific: Constitution
Mixed materials 1, Folder 4
Photographs, Herpetologists League certificate, newspaper clippings, obituaries
Mixed materials 1, Folder 5
CAS Constitution and By-laws
1915 and 1925
Mixed materials 1, Object 4, Mixed materials 1, Object 5, Mixed materials 1, Object 6, Mixed materials 1, Object 7, Mixed materials 1, Object 1, Mixed materials 1, Object 2, Mixed materials 1, Object 3, Mixed materials 1, Object 8
Mixed materials 1, Object 10, Mixed materials 1, Object 11
Slevin's CAS membership cards
Mixed materials 1, Object 13, Mixed materials 1, Object 14
Mixed materials 3, Object 1
Slevin's journal containing research notes
Mixed materials 6, Folder 3
Miscellaneous personal documents including maps, passport instructions, and various publications
undated
Mixed materials 8, Object 1
Scrapbook of newspaper clippings
Mixed materials 1
Framed portraits of relatives and ancestors
Mixed materials 1, Folder 7
Al Leviton replies to correspondence addressed to Slevin after Slevin's death
creator:
Leviton, Alan E.
Mixed materials 3, Folder 3
Correspondence regarding the search for Cowan's grave, St. James Island, and other Galapagos research
Mixed materials 3, Folder 4
Correspondence - Request for information on the grave of Lt. Cowan
Mixed materials 3, Folder 5
Photos of the Officers of the Hassler, letter by J. Henry Blake, and map tracing route of the Heller
Mixed materials 3, Folder 8
Correspondence regarding search for ships to the Galapagos
1940's
Mixed materials 3, Folder 9
Correspondence regarding search for ships to the Galapagos
1950's
Mixed materials 3, Folder 10
Correspondence and research into the "Beagle" and other captains and vessels
Mixed materials 3, Folder 11
Correspondence - Search for information on Fray Tomas de Berlanga
Series 3: Manuscripts and publications (non Galapagos)
Mixed materials 1, Folder 1
Manuscript, "Las Islas Encantadas"
Mixed materials 2, Folder 3
Manuscript, "Extracts From a Report of the Sea" (in Slevin's History)
Mixed materials 2, Folder 4
Mounted photos taken in Bogurte, Panama
Mixed materials 2, Folder 6
Manuscript of Handbook of California Reptiles
1950
Scope and Contents note
A. Leviton notation stating "An un published Slevin manuscript"
Mixed materials 2, Folder 7
Instructions of the Revillagigedo Islands Expedition of the California Academy of Sciences
1925
Mixed materials 2, Folder 8
Assorted papers including manuscripts, correspondence and trip reports
1925
Mixed materials 6, Folder 2
Assorted manuscripts by Slevin
undated
Mixed materials 6, Folder 4
Newspaper clippings and publications by Slevin
Mixed materials 6, Folder 6
Manuscript of Slevin's "The Academy in the Field"
Mixed materials 6, Folder 8
Academy publications, correspondence and information regarding snakes
Mixed materials 6, Folder 9
Graphic time table, Outing Bureau trip report, and publications regarding the Miwok tribe
Mixed materials 7, Folder 1
Publications and works by Slevin and CAS Newsletters referencing Slevin
Series 4: Galapagos papers and research
Mixed materials 1, Folder 6
5x7 photographs of Hancock's 1927 Galapagos Expedition onboard the Oaxaca
1927
Mixed materials 2, Folder 1
Galapagos photographs, assorted photographers
1905-1906
Mixed materials 2, Folder 2
D.H. Bates letter and photographs of the Galapagos
1905-1906
Mixed materials 2, Folder 5
Assorted magazines and articles referencing the Galapagos Islands
Scope and content
Stamps Magazine article referencing Slevin, E.A. Agazziz's A Cruise Through the Galapagos for the Atlantic Monthly, and Uni's
Nature with letter from Slevin.
Mixed materials 2, Folder 9
Rear Admiral Francisco Benito Perera, "Historia del Archipielago de Las Islas Galapagos"
Mixed materials 2, Folder 10
Map of 1921 California Academy of Sciences Gulf of California expedition route
Mixed materials 2, Folder 11
Copy negatives made from Slevin Album
Scope and content
Created by Gamma Photo, June, 2002
Mixed materials 3, Folder 1
Slevin's Galapagos history notes, bibliography. Dimensions,services and log excerpts of the H.M.S. Beagle
Mixed materials 3, Folder 2
Photos of Galapagos Islands, and Berlanga, Spain
Mixed materials 3, Folder 6
Mixed materials 3, Folder 7
Photos of Galapagos charts and maps
Mixed materials 4, Folder 1
Galapagos histories and memoirs written by various authors
Mixed materials 4, Folder 3, Mixed materials 4, Folder 1, Mixed materials 4, Folder 2
Manuscripts for The Galapagos Islands / A History of their Exploration
Mixed materials 2, Object 1, Mixed materials 9, Folder 4, Mixed materials 4, Object 1
The Galapagos Islands / A History of their Exploration
1959
Mixed materials 4, Folder 4, Mixed materials 4, Folder 5
Galapagos histories and memoirs written by various authors
Mixed materials 4, Folder 6
Research and manuscript for the "The Galapagos Islands / A History of Their Exploration"
undated
Mixed materials 4, Folder 7
Correspondence, research notes and bibliography for "The Galapagos / A History of Their Exploration"
undated
Mixed materials 4, Folder 8
Draft of "The Galapagos Islands / A History of Their Exploration" bibliography
undated
Mixed materials 4, Folder 9
Correspondence and research materials for "The Galapagos / A History of Their Exploration"
undated
Mixed materials 5
Various reference materials regarding the Galapagos Islands, bibliographic index cards and photographs.
Mixed materials 6, Folder 1
Manuscripts and articles by Slevin
Mixed materials 7, Folder 2
Photographs - Botanical negatives/photos and indications of landings carved in rock, Darwin and the Beagle
Mixed materials 7, Folder 3
Photographs - Galapagos early landings and charts and graphs
Mixed materials 8, Folder 1
Copy of the Captain's log of the Beagle
Mixed materials 8, Folder 2
Portfolio of photographs from the Hancock expedition
Mixed materials 8, Folder 3
20 pages of the diary of Fletus, of the USS ESSEX, and Slevin correspondence
Mixed materials 8, Folder 6
Photographs from Hancock's expedition
Mixed materials 8, Folder 8
Publications regarding the Galapagos Islands
Graphic materials 2
Photograph album of mostly Galapagos photos and few Sierra photos
Mixed materials 9, Folder 1
Photos and captions for "The Galapagos / A History of Their Exploration"
Mixed materials 9, Folder 2
Photos and captions for "The Galapagos / A History of Their Exploration"
Mixed materials 9, Folder 3
Photos of Lieutenant Gamble and Galapagos maps
Mixed materials 3
Drawing of Columbine ship sails
Mixed materials 3
Navigation log of Frigate Eugenie
Mixed materials 3
Photo of the Corvette Decres of the French Navy
Mixed materials 4
Copies of Ambrose Cowley's drawings and maps of Galapagos Islands from 1684 Galapagos expedition
Mixed materials 4
Copies of Ambrose Cowley's diary pages from 1684 Galapagos expedition
Mixed materials 4
Copies of Edward Davies's diary from 1684 Galapagos expedition
Mixed materials 4
Charts by G.W.P. Edwardes from H.M.S. Daphne Galapagos expedition.
Mixed materials 4
Copies of early maps of South America and Galapagos Islands
Mixed materials 4
Copies of H.M.S. Brisk plans
Mixed materials 4
Narborough Island map and negative photostat prints
Text 10
1905-1906 Galapagos Islands expedition field notes.
1905-1906
Mixed materials 11
1905-1906 Galapagos expedition collection catalog and 1909 Klamath Falls collection catalog.
1905-1909
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.2 Cubic feet
2 notebooks
Series 5: Miscellaneous papers, magazine clippings, and notes
Mixed materials 1, Object 9
Mixed materials 1, Object 12
Mixed materials 6, Folder 5
Mixed materials 6, Folder 7
Glassware price lists, photographs and other miscellaneous documents
Mixed materials 8, Folder 4
Envelope of newspaper clippings and photos
Mixed materials 8, Folder 5
Mixed materials 8, Folder 7
Newspaper clippings, photographs, and correspondence
