Hall, James (1811-1898), an American paleontologist (specialist in fossils), was one of the most influential scientists of his time. His greatest work was a 13-volume Palaeontology of New York, which was written over a period of 50 years. Hall also published many other reports, maps, and technical papers.
Hall directed, and often paid, a large staff of assistants whom he trained as paleontologists (see Paleontology ). He built up three private collections of fossils. The third of his collections became the New York State Museum.
Hall was born at Hingham, Massachusetts. He graduated from the Rensselaer School (now Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) in New York.
