Willis Cyrus Day

Biographical Sketch, by Hany Abdoun, Archives Intern

Willis Cyrus Day was born on November 18, 1894, in Los Angeles, California. As a young boy, he was interested in natural history and in 1912, he graduated from Los Angeles Polytechnic High School. During World War I, he served in the U.S. Army and was commissioned in the field in France. In 1919 he was discharged as a First Lieutenant at the Presidio in San Francisco and remained in the Bay Area, working in various cities.

After working in the lumber business and then in a charcoal manufacturing firm, Day entered the advertising business and began by advertising space on streetcars for the Leon Livingston Advertising Agency. He became Vice President of the agency and Partner of Livingston. After the death of Mr. Livingston, the agency was sold to Honig-Cooper Harrington Advertising Agency, where Day handled the Levi-Strauss account. In 1965 the Levi-Strauss Company made him an Honorary Director.

Day spent much of his time, however, studying and researching aquatic insects. He investigated the Ephemeroptera, short-lived insects such as the mayfly, and was assisted by Edward S. Ross, E. C. Van Dyke and Hugh B. Leech from the Entomology Department of the California Academy of Sciences. Leech also accompanied Day on most of his collecting trips and assisted him with his collection.

Day was a member of many scientific organizations including, the Society of Systematic Zoology and the California Academy of Sciences (beginning in 1948) and Fellow (beginning in 1960). He was also Vice President of the Pacific Coast Entomological Society in 1954 and President in 1955.

Willis Cyrus Day died on October 9, 1965. Before his death, his Ephemeroptera collection, publications and collecting equipment were willed to the Entomology Department of the California Academy of Sciences.

Sources Consulted:

Pan Pacific Entomologist, Vol. 42, No. 3, July 1966.

Index Cards of the California Academy of Sciences Staff and Members