He co-wrote "Sea of Cortez" with marine biologist Edward Ricketts, the model for Doc in "Cannery Row"
[DOC] [TLE] Steinbeck's scientific muse | The Scientist Magazine [PAR] Aug 24, 2006 ... Doc was modelled closely on Steinbeck's friend, Ed Ricketts, owner of a real 
marine biology lab, ... of the arts and culture, abandoning the Naples cultural 
model.