Society information

The Palaeontographical Society was established in 1847, and is the oldest Society devoted specifically to the advancement of palaeontological knowledge in existence. The primary role of the Society is to promote the description and illustration of the fossil floras and faunas of Britain and Ireland, and it publishes monographs to this end. These document the fossil species from a wide range of taxonomic groups, from chitinozoans and coccolithophorids through to mammals and reptiles, and from all ages, Cambrian to Pleistocene. An Annual Volume is published, consisting of a number of complete or part monographs, each enclosed in its own covers. The first monograph (on the Crag molluscs) was published in March 1848 and to date 649 monographs or part monographs have appeared. It was through this Society that Charles Darwin published his monograph on the fossil barnacles, and Richard Owen set out his early descriptions of dinosaurs. Many of these publications are still available for purchase, either as originals or as reprinted parts.

The Society also supports taxonomic research into the fossil faunas and floras of Britain and Ireland through its Richard Owen Research Fund. This provides financial support for palaeontological research (travel, visits to museums, fieldwork, etc.) within the Society’s remit of describing the fossil fauna and flora of Britain and Ireland.

To join The Palaeontographical Society, please visit the society webpage here: https://www.palaeosoc.org/membership/