The Diatom Collection of the California Academy of Sciences was established in 1919 with the arrival of Dr. G Dallas Hanna. During his 51 year tenure in the Department of Paleontology, Hanna collected many fossil localities in western North America. These collections, which formed the backbone of the Academy’s diatom holdings, served as the material for his research program on the taxonomy and biostratigraphy of marine diatoms. With the publication of his many research articles, Hanna became the acknowledged leader and pioneer in applying diatom biostratigraphy to practical problems, including oil exploration. In addition to his own collections he received many diatom-bearing samples from prospective oil-drilling sites and well core samples, all of which included well-documented stratigraphic information. The notoriety Hanna achieved led to extensive correspondence with U.S. and foreign workers. Diatom materials were sent to Hanna from all over the world for his review, insight and interpretation. As a result of these activities Hanna generated about 1200 samples and 9000 slides for the collection.

“Doc” Hanna’s interest and expertise in marine fossil diatom taxonomy and systematics inspired several collaborative efforts, including one with Albert Leon Brigger of Yucaipa, California. Brigger amassed a personal collection from correspondence with practicing diatomists (Reinhold, Kanaya, Lohman) and interested amateurs (Burke) as well as through purchases of collections, including the collection of W.F. Herzberg. In all, the Brigger Collection consisted of over 1900 samples and nearly 26,800 slides almost all of which were single mounts. An especially significant part of the Brigger Collection is the nearly 12,750 slides of the genus Aulacodiscus. The major portion of the Brigger Collection arrived at CAS in 1977. Some Brigger slides and material have subsequently found their way to ANSP and BM(NH).

The H.E. Sovereign Collection consists of 1081 slides from nearly 550 localities. Over 90% of the Sovereign Collection are from recent freshwater localities in Washington and Oregon, collected between 1924 and 1962. The Sovereign Collection includes 97 slides from the eminent German diatomist Fredrich Hustedt. Mahood (1978) detailed the Sovereign collection holdings.

Several other collections are part of the CAS holdings. The William Abbott Collection, comprising over 2300 samples and 4000 slides has strengths in marine fossils. The Sam L. Van Landingham Collection, with 2154 slides made from nearly 1420 samples, is derived from recent and fossil freshwater collections. The W.I. Firth Collection of approximately 500 slides includes 89 slides made from original William Smith material made by Sturt. The Forest Begres Collection of central U.S. freshwater habitats are a recent addition to the Academy holdings. The CAS Diatom Collection has original sample material from over 9000 localities out of a total of of 12,000 assigned accession numbers, 60,000 slides and 65,000 identified specimens.

In addition, the collections of G.W. Prescott, Wm.C. Vinyard, and V. Porguen have arrived at the Academy. Their collections have yet to be accessioned into the Academy's holdings.

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