ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the topic of the book, a history of the International Biometric Society (IBS), the "Society", as revealed from the Society Archives. The focus is on the first fifty years starting from its foundation at Woods Hole on September 6, 1947. It then provides a brief outline of what is covered in each of the following Chapters 2-12; and explains that the entire volume is framed by a Gallery of Presidents (international presidents) at the beginning and a Gallery of Secretaries and Treasurers (international secretaries and treasurers) at the end.
