Another Universtiy of California connection to science fiction came up recently, when I learned that the UC Davis Special Collections Library has roughly “500 drawings, sketches, and photochemical reproductions (including photographs used as reference for sketches)” from the papers of sf illustrator Charles Schneeman.  The collection also includes “a small collection of correspondence from such science fiction authors as Isaac Asimov.”  He had a wonderful period style, as evidenced by the cover art for the Dec. 1938 and  June 1947 issues of Astounding Science Fiction and a drawing in the Gray Lensman’s series.

Schneeman’s daughter Barbara, donor of the works, became the first woman dean of agriculture in U.S. history in 1993, when she took the post at UC Davis.  She’s now an emeritus faculty member.