Everett C. Olson

Everett Claire Olson (November 6, 1910 – November 27, 1993) was an American zoologist, paleontologist, and geologist noted for his seminal research of origin and evolution of vertebrate animals. Olson identified a mass extinction that occurred 270 million years ago and which now carries his name - Olson's Extinction, also termed "Olson's Gap".Some of his other notable research also included genus of Slaugenhopia genus of Trimerorhachis, and genus of Waggoneria.

Olson was a former chair of the department of Biology at the UCLA, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, a recipient of Paleontological Medal of the Paleontological Society (1987), the first recipient of the Romer-Simpson Medal of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology,a CSEOL Distinguished Scientist (1991). University of California said that Olson "was an internationally recognized pioneer in studies of the origin and evolution of vertebrate animals". The University of Chicago said that he "carried out pioneering research on the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems". The National Academy of Science said that he ranked "among the great vertebrate paleontologists of the twentieth century".

Olson was born in Waupaca, Wisconsin and grew up in Hinsdale, Illinois. Olson received his undergraduate and graduate degrees, including Ph.D. in geology (1935) from the University of Chicago.