Overview Joseph Mellick Leidy (1823-1891), one of the great American scientists of the 19th century, possessed a vast knowledge of the natural world. Best known as the Father of American vertebrate paleontology, he also pioneered the fields of parasitology and protozoology, and was the preeminent anatomist of his time. He was also an influential teacher of natural history and an expert in areas as diverse as entomology, geology and pathology. The Joseph Leidy Correspondence collection contains...

Scope and Contents The deed of gift made by Joseph Leidy, I1 in 1923 to the Academy states that the fund was to be known as, "The Joseph Leidy Memorial Fundn. A bronze medal and an honorarium, not to exceed $100 was to be awarded every third year. Conferred "As a Reward for the Best Publication, Exploration, Discovery or Research in the Natural Sciences in such particular branches thereof as may be designated . . .". Later, an additional sum was supplied by members of the Leidy family, especially by Philip...