Ed Ricketts (died in 1948) was a marine biologist, ecologist (ahead of his time), and philosopher who was a friend to and influence on John Steinbeck who modeled many of his characters on his friend, Ed, whom he greatly admired (Cannery Row, Tortilla Flats).

He did not like the typical scientific classification system, and preferred to group animals by their habitat.

Regarding his philosophical ideas: he was a proponent of "nonteleological" thinking - a way of viewing things as they are, rather than seeking explanations for them."

He died a tragic death -- hit by a train while in his stalled out car.

For more on Ed Rickets' many contributions start at wikipedia.