Johnson, Myrtle Elizabeth, 1881-1967

Biographical Note

Myrtle Johnson was professor of biology at San Diego State Teachers College from 1921 to 1946, and served as chair of the biology department from 1928 until 1940. Her field of specialization was marine biology, and she authored several books on the subject, Seashore Animals of the Pacific Coast, and West Coast Marine Shells. She received her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

She was instrumental in initiating on-campus training for student nurses at Mercy Hospital, the forerunner of the present day School of Nursing.

Dr. Johnson was a fellow of three prestigious organizations: American Association for the Advancement of Science, California Academy of Sciences, and the San Diego Society of Natural History. In addition, she was an active outdoors-woman, and was a member of several nature organizations such as the San Diego Zoological Society, Sierra Club, and Audubon Society. She died in 1967.