Ira John La Rivers

Biographical Sketch, by Hany Abdoun, Archives Intern

Ira John La Rivers was born on May 1, 1915, in San Francisco, California. In 1937 he received his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Nevada and in 1938, he received his M.S. from North Carolina State College. In 1948 he received his Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of California.

Dr. La Rivers worked as a Field Agent for the Bureau of Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nevada (1936-1939), Entomologist for the State of Nevada (1939-1942), Agricultural Inspector, U.S. Department of Agriculture, California (1942-1948) and Field Biologist, Nevada Fish and Game Commission(1948-1949). Dr. La Rivers also held the post of Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Nevada (1948-1954), Director of the Museum of Biology (1953-1961), Associate Professor (1954-1961) and Professor (1961-1977).

Dr. La Rivers was a member of many scientific organizations, including the Entomological Society of America, the Society of Systematic Zoology and the Pacific Coast Entomological Society. He also received National Science Foundation grants in 1968, 1969 and 1970.

Dr. Ira John La Rivers died in October 1977. His insect collection, made up primarily of Naucoridae, was donated to the Entomology Department of California Academy of Sciences in 1978.

Sources Consulted:

American Men and Women of Science, 12th Edition, Vol. 4, 1972.

http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, Vol. 55, No. 3, July 1979.