Descriptive Entry

These records are the official files of the Branch Chief, Paleontology and Stratigraphy Branch, USGS, and document its research program and administration from 1900 to 1987. Included is a large amount of correspondence of the first two Branch Chiefs, Stanton and Reeside, which concerns the identification of specimens, field work of USGS paleontologists, the publication of scientific papers, professional activities, and administrative matters. The records also include a smaller amount of correspondence of Branch Chiefs Cloud, Merriam, and Dutro; outgoing correspondence of P&S Branch scientists documenting their research programs and professional activities; annual work plans and monthly reports of P&S Branch scientists; and correspondence concerning manuscripts submitted to the P&S Branch for publication.

Historical Note

Paleontological studies were a part of the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) mission from its creation in 1879. The act establishing the USGS declared that fossils collected by the Survey be deposited in the United States National Museum (USNM) when no longer needed for investigations. As a result, several USGS paleontologists were stationed at the USNM, as honorary curators, to study and care for the collections. The main purpose of early paleontological work at the USGS was the identification and correlation of geologic formations by their fossil remains to aid geologists in delineating formations and making geologic maps.

As a result of a reorganization of the Geologic Branch, USGS, in 1900 the Division of Paleontology was established, with Timothy William Stanton as Paleontologist in Charge. Its name was changed to the Section of Paleontology in 1902, Section of Paleontology and Stratigraphy in circa 1907, and Paleontology and Stratigraphy Branch (P&S Branch) in 1949. Stanton remained in charge of USGS paleontological work until 1932. Other section or branch chiefs have included John B. Reeside, Jr., 1932-1949; Preston E. Cloud, Jr., 1949-1959; Charles W. Merriam, 1959-1962; J. Thomas Dutro, Jr., 1962-1968; Norman F. Sohl, 1968-1973; Joseph E. Hazel, 1973-1978; William V. Sliter, 1978-1983; Michael E. Taylor, 1983-1985; and Richard Z. Poore, 1985- .