Derek Ellis fonds. — 1946-1997.
2.7 m. of textual records.
107 maps.
583 photographs.
Derek Ellis was a professor in the Biology Department, University of Victoria, from 1964-1996, and is now Professor Emeritus. Ellis graduated with a BSc from Edinburgh University, Scotland in 1951, and an Honours Degree in Zoology in 1952. He obtained an MSc degree from McGill University in 1954, and a PhD from McGill in 1957, with a dissertation on biogeographical and biodiversity assessment of arctic benthos. During this time, he made four expeditions to the Arctic (1953-1957). In 1957 he went to work for the Biological Station in Nanaimo, of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, where he developed techniques for researching salmon biology by the use of Underwater Photography. In 1964, following his appointment as a professor at the University of Victoria, he recommenced marine benthic research. From 1970 he directed his work and that of his graduate students to biodiversity assessment of the seabed, particularly to environmental impact on biodiversity, and recovery from that impact. In the 1980s and 1990s he concentrated his research on the effects of mining wastes on the biodiversity of the seabed, and to the impact of a boat-paint toxin, tributyltin (TBT). He taught in the general areas of marine biology, taxonomy, animal behaviour, and environmental science. Throughout his career, Ellis collected rare and difficult to obtain limited distribution documents from government and industry. He also developed bibliographies on several of his research subjects.
The fonds consists of monographs, scientific articles, newspaper clippings, letters, slides, photographic prints, moving images, maps and other documents. The records are arranged in 3 series, reflecting Ellis's research and teaching interests: 1. Environmental Assessments, 1969-97; 2. Underwater Photography of Salmon, 1957-63; 3. Arctic Research, 1952-57. For a more complete understanding of Ellis's research interests, researchers should also refer to his bibliographies and the Marine Environmental Science Collection.
Title based on contents of fonds.
Donated by Derek Ellis in 1997 and 2000.
Inventory available.
Acc. Nos. 1997-146, 2000-079, 2000-080.
Professor Derek Ellis in 1959 was the first Canadian biologist scuba diver. He undertook underwater behavioural studies for the Fisheries Research Board of Canada at dams, in fishways and in rivers. (Derek Ellis fonds (AR046), Accession 2000-079, Folder 2.35)