Entomology in the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

During the past decade it has become customary in this Bulletin to call attention to the election of members of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). We take pride in this recognition of extraordinary scientific accomplishment of our members, who, by reason of their membership, may be assumed by some to be entomologists. That mayor may not be true; membership in ESA is open to all who are sufficiently interested to pay dues and receive certain journals. A scientist is whatever he chooses to call himself. Not all ESA-NAS members regard themselves as entomologists, and there are members of NAS who, though their reputations are based on their research on insects, are not members of ESA. Because scientists of many disciplines have made great contributions to entomology, it may be of interest to assemble in one list (Table 1) all past and present members of NAS who are noted for their research contributions to entomology. Before commenting on Table 1, I think it desirable to define NAS and to outline its development since its establishment by act of Congress in 1863.