The history of UCMP

These pages provide a look into the history of the UC Museum of Paleontology and of paleontology at Cal in general, from the early 1870s to the present.

The history and development of UCMP Excerpts from a paper researched and written in 2004 by Professor Jere Lipps. A six-part series. The foundations of paleontology in California and at Berkeley (1843-1874) Fossil discoveries and the Geological Survey of California The impact of Joseph LeConte (1869-1901) The first lectures on natural history and the growth of collections A paleontology program develops (1894-1950) The influence of John Merriam and Annie Alexander Growing pains (1920-1940) UCMP is born out of a department in turmoil Post-World War II prosperity (1940-1960) Berkeley becomes a center for paleontology Biology and public outreach (1960-present) The biological sciences reorganizes and UCMP increases its visibility

Important figures in the history of UCMP John C. Merriam (1869-1945) Vertebrate paleontologist Annie Montague Alexander (1867-1950) Benefactress of UCMP William Gordon Huff Sculptor, 1939-1949 Golden Gate International Exposition

Historic adventures in the field Photos and descriptions of important UCMP fossil-collecting expeditions John C. Merriam's 1905 "Saurian Expedition" A photographic account by Annie M. Alexander

UCMP archival collections Historical photos, library holdings, letters and correspondence, field notes, etc.