Ellen
Browning
Scripps
1836-1932
Ellen Browning Scripps felt that that wealth should not be inherited within one's family, but rather shared externally for the greater good.
Having earned money from her family's businesses, she started to fund projects, clubs, and schools across La Jolla, promoting equity and enhancing education as a philanthropist.
Scripps Institute of Oceanography
The Scripps family members living in La Jolla were especially fascinated with the ocean and its marine life— so much that Ellen Browning Scripps' younger sister, Virginia, displayed an eclectic collection of seaweeds and shells at South Molton Villa.
A gift of pressed seaweeds from Aunt Selina to Ellen Browning Scripps.
A gift of pressed seaweeds from Aunt Selina to Ellen Browning Scripps.
In 1903, Ellen became acquainted with Dr. William Ritter, a zoologist who sought to build a biological center in San Diego. Later that year, when the San Diego Marine Biological Association was founded, William Ritter, Ellen Browning Scripps, and her younger brother, E.W. Scripps, all joined the association's board of trustees, aiming to fund scientific research off the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
By 1905, the association had obtained land to build the facility, known as the Marine Biological Institution, after successful negotiations moving the biological center's location to La Jolla. In early 1906, Ellen, who supported Ritter's goals and progressive beliefs regarding biological sciences, formally endowed the institution with $50,000.
As the facilities took shape and grew over the next five years, Ellen continued to provide the laboratories with large sums of money. With Irving J. Gill as the laboratory's architect, the construction price was higher than estimated; although many individuals on the board, including E.W., preferred a less expensive alternative, the treasurer supported Ellen's decision to hire Gill and met financial demands.
The building, known as the George H. Scripps Laboratory, was completed in 1910, named after her late brother. Two years later, when the Marine Biological Institution was incorporated into the University of California, Berkeley, it was renamed the Scripps Institution for Biological Research of the University of California.
Newspaper clipping of the biological building.
Newspaper clipping of the biological building.
A record of a 1909 work order from architect Irving J. Gill to the contractor regarding furnishing and plumbing facilities of the Biological Station in La Jolla.
A record of a 1909 work order from architect Irving J. Gill to the contractor regarding furnishing and plumbing facilities of the Biological Station in La Jolla.
Memorial Resolutions to Ellen Browning Scripps from the California Federation of Women's Clubs, December 3, 1913.
Memorial Resolutions to Ellen Browning Scripps from the California Federation of Women's Clubs, December 3, 1913.
Page one of a ten-page speech delivered to the La Jolla Woman's Club in the wake of the San Diego free speech fight.
Page one of a ten-page speech delivered to the La Jolla Woman's Club in the wake of the San Diego free speech fight.
La Jolla Woman's Club
Upon becoming friends with other women in the neighborhood, Ellen and Virginia Scripps joined a variety of social clubs in La Jolla— one of which was the La Jolla Woman's Club.
During a time when most women were unable to obtain college degrees, participating in these clubs facilitated discussions and education in a communal environment. The La Jolla Woman's Club, in particular, allowed Ellen and Virginia to make connections with other notable women in the area, including poet Rose Harwick Thorpe and writer Beatrice Harraden.
From New Year's greetings to political statements, Ellen often delivered speeches to the club. Since it was comprised of women, she had an ideal audience and platform to express her progressive and feminist viewpoints.
She delivered one such speech in 1912, in the wake of the San Diego free speech fight. When workers affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) fiercely protested a city ordinance that would prohibit free speech on the streets of San Diego, their efforts were met with extreme and reactionary acts performed by vigilante groups. In response, Ellen Browning Scripps criticized the unjust suppression of street speaking and delivered an inspiring speech to the La Jolla Woman’s Club, seeking to encourage these women in her community to protest and influence public policy, despite their not yet being able to vote in the United States.
South Molton Villa
A Center of Community and Resilience
A house overlooking the sea, South Molton Villa was well accessible from many notable locations in La Jolla, including the playground, La Jolla Woman's Club, and The Bishop's School. Ellen and Virginia welcomed many visitors and community members into their home, allowing them to experience the beautiful view of the ocean and the well-tended gardens for themselves. Ellen kept records of her special events and her visitors in a guest book, where guests also left notes of appreciation and admiration for South Molton Villa and the Scrippses.
A page of her guest book from South Molton Villa.
A page of her guest book from South Molton Villa.
On August 7, 1915, a fire burned South Molton Villa, destroying Ellen Browning Scripps' home and many of her valuable documents. She received an outpouring of support in the aftermath, with family and friends sending her gifts and well wishes through telegrams.
By June 1916, the reconstruction of South Molton Villa, designed by architect Irving J. Gill and overseen by E.W. Scripps and Ellen Browning Scripps' attorney, J.C. Harper, was completed. The redesigned home was considerably more modern; Ellen and Virginia continued to live in the house for many years, enjoying South Molton Villa's optimal scenic location and the community surrounding it.
More Projects Funded in La Jolla by Ellen Browning Scripps
Park & Clubhouse
Article about the playground funded by Miss Scripps and its impact on La Jolla's children.
Article about the playground funded by Miss Scripps and its impact on La Jolla's children.
To enhance the lives of San Diego's children, especially the underprivileged, Miss Scripps funded a community playground and clubhouse for the La Jolla Woman's Club across the street from South Molton Villa.
Ellen Browning Scripps at the La Jolla playground opening day, July 4, 1915.
Ellen Browning Scripps at the La Jolla playground opening day, July 4, 1915.
Upon its completion in 1915, the playground included both intricately designed climbing structures and wide sports areas, spanning a city block. The recreational area was both lively and inclusive; Ellen ensured the playground's accessibility to people of different races and rejected calls for segregation.
The park was later renamed Ellen Scripps Park in recognition of her contributions.
Health Facilities
Photo of the Scripps Memorial Hospital from a 1960 issue of its newsletter, The Surf Line.
Photo of the Scripps Memorial Hospital from a 1960 issue of its newsletter, The Surf Line.
San Diego greatly lacked sufficient healthcare systems and health facilities in the early 20th century, with adequate hospitals only accessible in other cities. La Jolla's local sanitarium at the time contained only six beds and was impractical as a health center.
In 1917, Ellen began to purchase lots to construct an improved hospital with the help of Ada Gillespie, the wife of the town doctor. By 1918, the new La Jolla Sanitarium finally opened. With three stories of patient rooms, including an operating room, the hospital contributed to better public health in La Jolla, especially as the Spanish Flu riddled the community later that year.
Ellen decided to fund an additional local hospital, which was completed in 1924 and yielded considerably more equipment and space than the sanitarium. The new larger hospital became the Scripps Memorial Hospital, while the smaller sanitarium became the Scripps Metabolic Clinic for medical research.
The Bishop's School
Newspaper clipping from the May 1st, 1915 edition of the San Diego Union, announcing Ellen Browning Scripps's contribution to the Bishop's School. She was opposed to receiving attention of this sort.
Newspaper clipping from the May 1st, 1915 edition of the San Diego Union, announcing Ellen Browning Scripps's contribution to the Bishop's School. She was opposed to receiving attention of this sort.
Ellen Browning Scripps funded the Bishop's School for girls in La Jolla, which opened for classes in 1909 and is still in operation as a co-educational institution today. She strongly supported the vision of Episcopalian Bishop Joseph Horsfall Johnson for an elite women's college-preparatory institution and ultimately hired architect Irving J. Gill to design the school.
Miss Scripps became more involved with the Bishop's School community as the school expanded. She regularly planned and attended community-wide events on campus, participating in the hiring of the headmistresses and arrangement of the students' daily schedules.
She ended up exceeding her proposed contribution and continued donating to the school for the rest of her life. Funding the Bishop's School marked Ellen's commitment to education, a precursor to her later founding of a women's college.
Funding Wildlife Conservation and Research
Natural History Museum
Flower prints from the Natural History Museum.
Flower prints from the Natural History Museum.
In 1920, Ellen began to contribute to the San Diego Society of Natural History. She financed the museum's expansion, donated her wildlife paintings and books to the organization, and funded a fossil-hunter's trip to New Mexico.
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego.
Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego.
Ellen had a deep appreciation for northern San Diego's grove of Torrey pines. To protect it from urbanization, she bought a large portion of the land and dedicated it to a state park, hiring a caretaker and landscape architect to make it attractive to visitors.
Wildlife Books
Illustrations from William Leon Dawson's Birds of California.
Illustrations from William Leon Dawson's Birds of California.
Ellen Browning Scripps funded William Leon Dawson's Birds of California, which was published in 1923, and owned copies of various wildlife books, including Library of Natural History, Generall Historie of Plantes, and The American Woods.
San Diego Zoo
A 1952 newsletter featuring the outdoor amphitheater at the San Diego Zoo.
A 1952 newsletter featuring the outdoor amphitheater at the San Diego Zoo.
In 1922, Ellen helped the San Diego Zoological Society establish a local zoo, which became the world-famous San Diego Zoo. She funded the animals and facilities, including an aviary of record-breaking size and an animal research hospital.
These are only some of the many projects and organizations that Ellen funded with her acquired wealth.
In her later life, she began one of her biggest projects yet: establishing a college for women and leaving a legacy for future generations.
Revisit Part I:
For further reading:
McClain, Molly. Ellen Browning Scripps: New Money and American Philanthropy. Univ. of Nebraska Press, 2017.
“Ellen Browning Scripps 1836-1932, Journalist, Humanitarian, Educator.” The Claremont Colleges Digital Library, ContentDM, ccdl.claremont.edu/digital/collection/p15831coll3.
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