author
John N. (John Nathan) Cobb
1868–1930
A self-taught naturalist and fisheries expert, he turned hands-on fieldwork and sharp observation into influential writing about the Pacific coast and the fishing industry. His career ranged from journalism and government service to leading the University of Washington’s fisheries program.
1 Audiobook
The Lobster Fishery of Maine Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission, Vol. 19, Pages 241-265, 1899
by John N. (John Nathan) Cobb
About the author
Born in Oxford, New Jersey, in 1868, John N. Cobb built an unusually wide-ranging career without a college education. He worked first in newspapers, then joined the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, where his reporting, research, and practical knowledge helped make him a recognized authority on commercial fisheries.
Cobb wrote extensively on fishing, fish culture, and the economic life of coastal communities, combining scientific curiosity with a strong interest in conservation and industry. His books and articles were shaped by direct experience in the field, which gave his work a clear, grounded style.
He later became the founding director of the College of Fisheries at the University of Washington, helping establish fisheries as a serious academic and professional discipline. He died in 1930, but he is still remembered for linking science, education, and working knowledge of the sea.