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MASTER INDEX

     The history of science is full of many important and interesting scientists, explorers, researchers, and personalities (a nice way of saying some of them were-....well, hmmm). Of course, we cannot began to list even a small percentage of these folks on this site or the Biographies Section, but we will list some and add more from time to time.

     This site is to provide our visitors with some biographical information on some of these important and interesting characters in science. Some are contemporary and some are historical (i.e. deceased, both recently and long ago). They vary in fields of interest, but many are or were involved in geology and paleontology, although some were in other fields of natural and Earth science. Some of the scientists hold degrees and others became prominent without a degree or formal training. Some are local to the Greater Houston Area or at least to Texas, where the Proctor Museum of Natural Science is located and others are known nationally and some internationally.

     There is much more information about all of those listed, than is provided here. However, we hope that provided what we do here, may help you to get to know these people better and may help students in doing research. We encourage anyone to do additional research in libraries, online and other sources and not accept this material as being the complete resort for accuracy or completeness. We believe and hope that this Biographies Section will help.

     Review the alphabetical listing of scientists below to find the person you may be looking for. Then just CLICK on the name of the person whom you want to know about, and this will take you to the biographical information on that individual. Some persons listed, such as your Proctor Museum Curator, are listed just so you will have information you may wish on such person, not necessarily because such person has achieved any special scientific recognition. Note that * before a name means the person is deceased.

Here are those whose Biographies currently appear in this
Proctor Museum of Natural Science Biography Section:

• Akers, Tom & Rosemary. Authors of several books on Texas Fossils & members of HGMS.
• *Andrews, Roy Chapman. Paleontologist and explorer who discovered dinosaurs in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia.
• Bakker, Robert T. 'Bob', Ph.d. Paleontologist, Author, T.V. & Film Consultant and Commentator on dinosaurs and paleontology. Credited with theory of hot blooded dinosaurs. He is in the Board of the PMNS.
• Bartsch. Joel, D.D. President of Houston Museum of Natural Science, member HGMS, former Minerals Curator for HMNS.
• *Cope, Edward Drinker. Paleontologist and former friend, then protagonist of Othniel Charles Marsh during the 'Bone Wars'.
• *Cross, Robert 'Bob'. Geology Professor San Jacinto College, lecturer, member of HGMS & Board Member Proctor Museum for many years before his death.
• *Cuvier, Baron Georges. (1769-1832) was a French vertebrate zoologist who revolutionized biology by developing a natural system of classifying animals based on comparative anatomy.
• Emerson, John & *Bobbie. Two members of HGMS, who together co-authored with the Akers a couple of books and then together wrote a book, some of the proceeds from such book were donated to HGMS. The Emersons also gave Terry Proctor a case of Bobbie died in 2009.
• Garcia, Frank A. A self-taught paleontologist, worked for Smithsonian Museum. He discovered the largest collection of Pleistocene fossils in one location & is a founder of the Tampa Bay Fossil Club. He is on the Board of the PMNS.
• *Gould, Stephen Jay, Ph.D. Snail biologist originally, prolific author and monthly columnist for years for Natural History magazine.
• *Holdeman, James Harvey, Sr. Geologist & early oilman who explored and made maps in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Kansas, Canada, Old Mexico et al dated from 1879-1965.
• Immega, Neal, Ph.D. Paleontologist, member HGMS who takes care of the Shop, leads Field Trips, lectures and wife, Immega, Inda Geologist and member of HGMS--both are regular docents for the HMNS
• Jones, Bob prolific author, Senior Consulting Editor, Rock & Gem magazine and regular lecturer and expert on minerals. He also appears at American Federation of Mineralogical Society Shows all over the U.S. and other forums
• *Kidwell, Albert L., Ph.D. Geologist and discoverer of the mineral Kidwellite. Also a member of HGMS.
• Larson, Peter Paleontologist who excavated and prepped 'Sue' before U.S. government seized that most complete 'T-Rex', the prosecuted Peter. You need to read the entire story of this unjust attempt to stop collection of vertebrate fossils, even when the land owner has been paid. He is on the Board of the PMNS
• *Leidy, Joseph Pioneer Anatomist & Paleontologist in 1840s. Discovered first U.S. dinosaur and named the Hadrosaurus, one of the most commonly found dinosaurs.
• Lewis, Patrick J., Ph.D. Paleontologist and Professor at Sam Houston State University. Found oldest primate known and most early primates in one location, in Egyptian desert AND found oldest true elephant in Botswana with other Paleontologically significant findings on expeditions. He is on the Board of the PMNS.
• *March, Othniel Charles Paleontologist and former friend, then protagonist of Edward Drinker Cope during the 'Bone Wars'.He was a professor at Yale (through connections--and often away)
• Proctor, Terrell William 'Terry', J.D. Board Chairman, Curator and General Counsel of PMNS since 1989; Pres. HGMS 2008 & 2009; Attorney, former Judge, award-winning writer & artist.
• Sereno, Paul, Ph.D. A younger Paleontologist he has discovered new species of dinosaurs on five continents; is a professor at Chicago University; a National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence; and he located and dug up 40' long 'Super Croc'.
• Singleton, Scott Geologist and fossil plant expert. A past President HGMS.
• Sinibaldi, Robert, Ph.D. Professor in South Florida, author, Past Pres. Tampa Bay Fossil Club and monthly reviewer of books on fossils et al. Dives for fossils in Florida.
• Smith, Art, M.A. Geologist, Author and expert mineral analyst. HGMS member and Club Librarian for many years.
• Tidwell, William D. former Prof. of Botany at Brigham Young University. Author or co-author of about 200 or more papers and abstracts and at least three books on fossil plants. The authority on Fossil Plants of Western North America.
• Wolf, George and son, Wolf, David are fossil collectors. David also does fossil preparation. They learned by doing and both are very knowledgeable. Both are former Chairman of the Paleontology Section of HGMS. George has virtually a museum at his home.
• Zingula, Richard 'Dick', Ph.D. retired oil company Geologist; avid fossil collector; and lecturer for years to Paleontology Section of HGMS.