Norland, Calvert E., 1908-2002

Biographical Information:

Calvert E. Norland (1908 – 2002) was born June 24, 1908 in Los Angeles, later moving to Orange County, California in 1911 where he attended public schools. His interest in entomology led to studies at Santa Ana Junior College and Pomona College where he graduated magna cum laude in 1931. It was during this time he met and married his wife, Elisabeth Davenport Crow, also a graduate of Pomona College. The young couple moved to Berkeley where Mr. Norland continued his studies, receiving his M.S. from University of California at Berkeley.

Mr. Norland was an Entomologist-Agricultural Inspector in Orange County from 1933 to 1939. He received his teaching credentials from Claremont College in 1939. From 1939 to 1940 he did graduate work in education and entomology at the University of California at Berkeley and from 1954 to 1958 graduate courses in education at the University of Southern California.

Professor Norland was an officer in the United States Army where he served as a Medical Entomologist from 1942 to 1947 in India, China and Japan. He left the army as a Lt. Colonel.

His career at San Diego State University began in 1947 as an Instructor and Professor of Entomology, Zoology and Botany where he worked until his retirement in 1976. Professor Norland was a member of several scientific societies. Both he and his wife were avid supporters of music and art throughout their marriage and were members of the San Diego Opera, Symphony and the San Diego Museum of Art.

He and Elisabeth (Betty), a well-known botanist, were married 62 years until her death in 1993. Their son, Eric, died in 1969. Dr. Norland passed away on September 20, 2002 in Arcadia, California.

In 1974, Professor Calvert E. Norland and Elisabeth C. Norland donated to the Library their extensive personal library on the history of biology and the sciences.

From the guide to the Calvert E. Norland Manuscript, Print, and Artifact Collection, 2nd Century-1995, 1785-1995, (Special Collections & University Archives)