The View from the Top: A Century of PS Presidents' Perspectives on the Paleontological Society and Paleontology

The Paleontological Society was founded in 1908, as a section of the Geological Society of America, for the purpose of promoting the science of paleontology. Although disciplinarily inclusive, our founders were an elitist, demographically limited group. Constitutional revisions over the past century trace the evolution of the PS, including increased democratization (with a setback during the McCarthy Era, but accelerating following the turmoil of society as a whole during the 1960s), internationalization, independence from the GSA and our sister organization SEPM, and broadening of our activities and concerns. Comments by Paleontological Society presidents, in their presidential addresses and/or a survey I conducted, reinforce these conclusions. In addition, the presidential addresses demonstrate the shifting concerns and interests of paleontologists over the past century: emphasis on stratigraphic paleontology during the early years of the Society; avoidance of the topic of evolution during the antievolution movement of the 1920s – 1950s; lack of participation in the debates over continental drift; development of paleobiology. Many presidents focused on the identity of paleontology, either praising our potential for contributions to science and society or bemoaning our status and recommending remedies for our situation. Despite some predictions of impending extinction of paleontology and the PS, both our Society and our field remain vigorous as we begin our second century.