The Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany was established on June 17, 1942, as a result of a reorganization in the Department of Geology, United States National Museum. At that time, the Division of Stratigraphic Paleontology was abolished and its responsibilities were assumed by the new Division. Charles Elmer Resser, Curator, and G. Arthur Cooper, Associate Curator of the old Division of Stratigraphic Paleontology, assumed similar positions in the Department of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany. In 1963, the Department of Geology was abolished as a result of a reorganization in the Museum of Natural History. The Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany and the Division of Vertebrate Paleontology were joined to form the new Department of Paleobiology.
Curators of the Division of Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleobotany included Charles Elmer Resser, Curator, 1942-1943; G. Arthur Cooper, Associate Curator and Curator, 1942-1961; Alfred R. Loeblich, Associate Curator, 1946-1957; A. L. Bowsher, Associate Curator, 1948-1954; David Nicol, Associate Curator, 1949-1958; Porter M. Kier, Associate Curator, 1957-1963; Richard S. Boardman, Associate Curator and Curator, 1958-1963; Richard Cifelli, Associate Curator, 1960-1963; Erle G. Kauffman, Assistant Curator and Associate Curator, 1960-1963; Francis M. Hueber, Associate Curator, 1963; and Martin A. Buzas, Associate Curator, 1963.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 218017
