Edward Ricketts
Edward Ricketts
1897 - 1948
Marine biologist, philosopher, writer, ecologist, and friend to many.
Immortalized as "Doc" of John Steinbeck's Cannery Row, the real man had a
profound influence on the thinking of writers, artists, and scientists through his
non-teleological approach to the study of all life. Steinbeck described him as a
man whose "mind had no horizons, he had an interest in everything."
At his laboratory on CAnnery Row, he built up the most comprehensive file of
marine tidal animals every attempted on the Pacific Coast. Hist marine science writings
which include Between Pacific Tides, Sea of Cortez, and The Outer Shores are
still among the most respected works in the field.
His life was cut short when the car he was driving was struck by the evening
train at this site on May 8, 1948. However, his influence on the world community
and the people of Cannery Row will live forever.
(Dedicated March 21, 1997 by the Cannery Row Foundation)