Eugene S. Gaffney Papers

Eugene S. Gaffney is a prominent paleontologist whose work focused on the use of morphology and systematics to analyze the shared characteristics, unique differences, and development of turtles. Gaffney traveled extensively in the Americas, Europe, and Australia surveying the fossil holdings of various institutions with a standardized system of description and illustration. Through this deep engagement with the fossil record, Gaffney analyzed shared characteristics, unique differences, and development of turtles resulting in the detailed description of taxa from both the cryptodire and pleurodire groups. Additionally, Gaffney worked in the field including multiple trips to Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia to excavate fossils of the large Meiolania turtle.

Educated at Rutgers University and Columbia University, Gaffney joined the staff of the American Museum of Natural History in 1970 as an Associate Curator in the Department of Vertebrate Paleontology. In 1980 he became the Curator of the department and held this position until his retirement in 2011. In addition to his work with the Department of Vertebrae Paleontology, Gaffney was also involved in developing fossil exhibitions including From the Land of Dragons (1988-1989) and the multi-year renovation of the museum's permament fossil hall exhibitions.