Edwin R. Leach

Biographical Sketch, by Hany Abdoun, Archives Intern

Edwin R. Leach was born on May 3, 1878 in Vallejo, California. Despite his interest in entomology and natural history, Leach studied Mining at the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his B.S. in 1901.

He operated a copper mine in Trinity County until the Great Depression and later became the Director of Insurance Securities Inc. He was also the Director of Buttes Gas and Oil Company. With the help of Fredrick William Nunenmacher, an entomologist and an old friend, Leach decided to collect and research insects, specifically the Coleoptera, an order of insects with hard front wings to cover the functioning hind wings, such as beetles and weevils.

Leach was a member of many scientific organizations, including the Pacific Coast Entomological Society (beginning in 1916). He served as its Treasurer (1931-1942), life member (1943) and an honorary member (1948). He was also a member of the California Academy of Sciences (beginning in 1920), life member (1946), patron (1946), and Fellow (1946).

Edwin Leach died on July 22, 1971. Before his death, Leach donated his insect collection (estimated to have forty to fifty thousand specimens), to the Entomology Department at the California Academy of Sciences.

Sources Consulted:

Academy Newsletter, December 1971.

Oakland Tribune, July 25, 1971.

Index Cards of the California Academy of Sciences Staff and Members.