Russ Peppers Palynology Collection

The Russ Peppers Palynology Collection is one of the most significant collections of fossil pollen in the world. It is of extreme importance to the Illinois State Geological Survey, as material from the collection was used to date and correlate the rock core samples collected from across Illinois and the Midwest.

Russel A. Peppers, the palynologist after whom the collection was named, worked for the Illinois State Geological Survey for many years. During that time, he amassed the majority of the palynology collection housed at PRI.

Dr. Russ Peppers (left), a retired Illinois State Geological Survey palynologist, visited the PRI Paleontology Collection in 2017. Here he is with PRI Curator of Paleontology, Sam Heads (right).