Myrtle Elizabeth Johnson (1881 – 1967) was an American marine biologist, ascidiologist, and educator in California in the early 20th century.

[3] Ricketts considered Johnson's book "the vade mecum of marine biologists of the Pacific.

In 1887, the Johnson family moved to National City, south of San Diego, for Theodore's health.

They continued to work on the text after Johnson joined the faculty of San Diego State College in 1921.

Johnson and Snook's Seashore Animals of the Pacific Coast was first published in 1927, with a total of 4 printings (1927, 1935, 1955, 1967), with no second edition ever being completed.