The Golden Anniversary of the Society of Protozoologists (1947‐1997)1

Abstract

ABSTRACT The history of the Society of Protozoologists is traced from its birth, half a century ago, to the present time. Emphasis is placed on events of the formative years, since data from the scattered records and memories of those times need to be assembled in one place before they are entirely forgotten or “misremembered.” As is true in the establishment of any new association, the people involved are responsible for its later success. Thus tribute is especially paid to the original founding fathers and the early charter members who worked so hard and so unselfishly to assure the permanence—and long—lasting usefulness‐of their Society in a specialized branch of biology. An obvious value of a new scientific organization lies in its production of a scholarly journal. In the present case, such a publication was launched early, and it rapidly became known worldwide as a protozoological research outlet of the highest quality. The aims and goals of the founders seem to have been well met over the past 50 years, but the international Society of Protozoologists faces new challenges and obligations in the years ahead.