Barry A. Thomas holds an honorary chair at Aberystwyth University, Wales. He obtained his B.Sc. from the University of Sheffield, and his Ph.D. and D.Sc. from the University of Reading. He has studied Palaeozoic palaeobotany and stratigraphy for over 45 years, with special reference to Carboniferous floras and pteridophytes. He was Head of the Life Sciences Department and Dean of Science at Goldsmiths' College, London; Keeper of the Botany Department, National Museum, Wales; and Professor in the Geography Department, Lampeter. He is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, London, member of the Palaeontological Association, Treasurer of the British Institute for Geological Conservation, and past President of the British Pteridological Society. He has published numerous books and over 120 papers in academic journals, dealing with pteridophytes, palaeobotany, stratigraphy and geoconservation. He started the biennial Bibliography of European Palaeobotany and Palynology, and is currently an editor of Law Science and Policy.
