The Society for Nematologists was founded in 1961. Its membership consists of those persons interested in basic or applied nematology, which is a branch of zoology dealing with nematode worms. The work of pioneer nematologists, demonstrating the economic importance of nematodes and the collective critical mass of interested nematologists laid the groundwork to form the Society of Nematologists (SON).

SON was formed as an offshoot of the American Phytopathological Society (APS - see MS 175). Nematologists who favored the formation of a separate organization from APS held the view that the interests of SON were not confined to phytonematological problems and in 1958, D.P. Taylor of the University of Minnesota, F.E. Caveness of North Dakota College, A. L. Jenkins of the University of Missouri, and O.H. Elmer from Kansas State College formed a committee of four to promote the formation of an independent society. In December 1959 at the meeting of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) at Pennsylvania State University, a committee was appointed to study steps that should be taken for the formation of a new society. The first officers of SON were elected in 1961.The first meeting of SON was held August 26-29, 1962 on the Oregon State University Campus.

The Society of Nematologists is an international organization formed to advance the science of nematology in both its fundamental and economic aspects. To serve this purpose, the Society of Nematologists acts as an agency for the exchange of information, holds regular meetings, and promotes and extends knowledge in all phases of nematology. The Society operates on a nonprofit basis exclusively for the accomplishment of these educational and scientific goals.

The Society of Nematologists is based in Marceline, Missouri, and holds national meetings annually.

This collection (1907-[ongoing]) contains material on the planning of celebrations, annual meetings, symposia, workshops and other events organized by the SON; material from the Executive Board of the Society of Nematologists; biographical materials on some prominent Nematologists and other SON members; committee records; materials from congresses SON participated in; SON’s constitution and by-laws; correspondence; financial records; half-tone plates, slides, photographs, and negatives; records of awards and honors bestowed by and on SON; membership records; materials from affiliated organizations; records related to publications; subject files; and audio visual materials.

The full finding aid is available here as a pdf file (2 MB in size).