An outstanding event in the development of paleontological knowledge in Russia was the solemn inauguration of the Russian Paleontological Society on May 5, 1916. The first organizational meeting was held somewhat earlier — on March 1. The charter was signed by 52 people. The initiators of the Society, its organizers and the most active members were N. N. Yakovlev, A. A. Borisyak, M. D. Zalessky, A. N. Krishtofovich, M. V. Pavlova, A. N. Ryabinin, P. I. Stepanov and M. E. Yanishevsky, who became members of the first Council of the Society.