Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, circa 1900-1987

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU7425
Creators:
Geological Survey. Branch of Paleontology and Stratigraphy
Dates:
circa 1900-1987
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
21 cu. ft. (21 record storage boxes)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

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

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- .

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7425, Records

More Information

Notes

Personal Papers


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Stanton, T. W. (Timothy William), 1860-1953 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reeside, John B. (John Bernard), 1889-1958 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cloud, Preston, 1912-1991 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Merriam, Charles Warren, 1905- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dutro, J. Thomas Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sohl, Norman F. (Norman Frederick), 1924- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hazel, Joseph E., 1933- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sliter, William V. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Taylor, Michael E. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Poore, Richard Z. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Paleontologists Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Geologists Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Paleontology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Geology Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
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