Edward F. Ricketts

Edward Flanders Robb Ricketts (May 14, 1897 – May 11, 1948) commonly known as Ed Ricketts, was an American marine biologist, ecologist, and philosopher. He was a close friend of the writer John Steinbeck and was the model for a number of characters that appeared in his books: including "Doc" in Cannery Row and its sequel, Sweet Thursday; "Jim Casy" in The Grapes of Wrath; "Doctor Winter" in The Moon is Down; and "Doc Burton" in In Dubious Battle.