Miquel Crusafont

Catalan paleontologist and a specialist in mammalian paleontology. In 1933, he received his diploma in Pharmacological studies from the University of Barcelona and, in 1950, he completed his second degree, this time a doctorate in Natural Sciences from the University of Madrid. For his thesis titled 'The Giraffid Fossils of Spain', he graduates with honors. He then went on to complete an entrance exam at the University of Oviedo in order to become a professor of Paleontology and was awarded first place by unanimous vote. Later, he transferred to the University of Barcelona. He also worked for a time as a professor of Anthropology at the Facultat de Filosofia Societatis Iesu, also in Barcelona.

His research began to circulate through his contributions to the Butlletí de Institució Catalana d'Història Natural during the period between 1933 and 1934. His articles were to become the precursors to the fields of research which followed: studies on invertebrate fossils from the Miocene era, the Miocene era in Catalonia, as well as the Tertiary and Quaternary periods in Iberia. As a specialist in the study of mammalian fossils and Evolutionism, he led excavations in the Valles - notably at the site located in Can Llobateres, now an arqueological park and protected excavation area for l'Institut de Paleontologia - as well as another site located in the Penedès region, among others.

Some of his most important works include 'Los Vertebrados del Mioceno Continental de la cuenca del Vallés-Penedés' (1943, co-written by Josep Fernández de Villalta), 'El Mioceno Continental del Vallés y sus yacimientos de vertebrados' (1948, co-written by Josep Fernández de Villalta); 'El Burdigaliense continental de la cuenca del Vallés-Penedés' (1955, co-written by Josep Fernández de Villalta and Jaime Truyols), 'Estudio Masterométricos en la evolución de los Fisípedos' (1957, co-written by Jaime Truyols); 'La Evolución' (1966, co-written by Bermudo Meléndez and Emiliano Aguirre). Miquel Crusafont i Pairó was responsible for introducing the writings of French evolutionist Teilhard de Chardin to the Spanish educational system, whose belief system sought to reconcile Darwinism with Creationism, and to whom he dedicated several studies:' L'evolució avui' and 'Evolución y ascensión'.

In 1945, he began a close working relationship with Paleontologist George Gaylord Simpson (1902 - 1984), promotor of Evolutionary Synthesis.

In 1969, he founded El Instituto Provincial de Paleontologia, linked to the Diputació de Barcelona, in the city of Sabadell.

In 1983, said institute was renamed the Institut de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont de Sabadell. The prehistoric mammal Crusafontia was even named after him, in further hommage to his life's work.