The Field's Historian

Jerome Clark is the author of The UFO Encyclopedia — the definitive reference work of the field, now in multiple editions — and has served as editor of the International UFO Reporter for decades. He has written more systematically and critically about UFO cases than perhaps any other individual researcher, applying historical methodology to a subject that has often suffered from poor documentation and uncritical acceptance.

Clark's work is notable for its rigour: he is willing to debunk poorly evidenced cases, update earlier conclusions in light of new evidence, and maintain sceptical distance from claims that cannot be verified. His encyclopaedia remains the standard reference for serious researchers.

The Importance of History

Clark's contribution is archival and historiographical: ensuring that the field has an accurate, well-sourced record of its own history. In a domain where disinformation, poor documentation, and motivated reasoning are endemic, his commitment to historical accuracy is genuinely valuable.