Louis Leakey
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Summary
Louis Leakey was born on August 7, 1903[1], in Nairobi[2]. He died on October 1, 1972[3], in London[4]. He worked as an anthropologist[5], archaeologist[6], prehistorian[7], autobiographer[8], and paleoanthropologist[9]. He ranks in the top 0.68% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (4,339 views/month, #6,835 of 1,000,298).[10]
Key Facts
- Father: Harry Leakey[11]
- Mother: Mary Bazett[12]
- Spouse: Mary Leakey[13], Henrietta Leakey[14]
- Child: Richard Leakey[15], Philip Leakey[16], Jonathan Leakey[17], Priscilla Muthoni Avern Leakey[18], Colin L. A. Leakey[19]
- Country of citizenship: Kenya[20]
- Ethnic group: English people[21]
- Occupation: paleontologist[22], curator[23]
- Field of work: archaeology[24]
- Employer: University of Cambridge[25], Coryndon Museum[26]
- Educated at: St John's College[27], Weymouth College[28]
- Award received: Vega Medal[29], Founder’s Medal[30], Prestwich Medal[31], Hubbard Medal[32], Silliman Memorial Lectures[33]
- Sex or gender: male[34]
- Commons category: Louis Leakey[35]
- Cause of death: myocardial infarction[36]
- Family name: Leakey[37]
- Given name: Seymour[38], Bazett[39]
- Author citation (zoology): L. S. B. Leakey[40]
- Manner of death: natural causes[41]
- Described by source: The Great Archaeologists[42], Africa: An Encyclopedic Reference[43]
- Languages spoken, written or signed: English[44]
- Birth name: Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey[45]
- Name in native language: Louis Leakey[46]
Body
Works and Contributions
Things named for Louis Leakey include The Trimates[47], a group of humans[48]; 7958 Leakey[49], an asteroid[50]; and Leakey[51], a lunar crater[52].
Why It Matters
Louis Leakey has Wikipedia articles in 27 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[53] He is known by 31 alternative names across languages and contexts.[54]
He has been cited as an influence by Jane Goodall[55], a university teacher[56], 1934–2025[57], of United Kingdom[58], awarded the Officer of the Legion of Honour[59], specialised in ethology[60] and Birutė Galdikas[61], an anthropologist[62], 1946–2026[63], of Canada[64], awarded the Officer of the Order of Canada[65], specialised in primatology[66].
He is credited with the discovery of OH 9[67], a Hominin fossil[68] and Olduvai Hominid 8[69], a Hominin fossil[70]. Entities named for him include The Trimates[47], a group of humans[48]; 7958 Leakey[49], an asteroid[50]; and Leakey[51], a lunar crater[52].
FAQs
Where was Louis Leakey born?
Louis Leakey's place of birth was Nairobi[2].
Where did Louis Leakey die?
Louis Leakey died in London[4].
Who were Louis Leakey's parents?
Louis Leakey's father was Harry Leakey[11]. Louis Leakey's mother was Mary Bazett[12].
Who was Louis Leakey married to?
Louis Leakey's spouses include Mary Leakey[13] and Henrietta Leakey[14].
What did Louis Leakey do for work?
Louis Leakey worked as an anthropologist[5], archaeologist[6], prehistorian[7], autobiographer[8], and paleoanthropologist[9].
Where did Louis Leakey go to school?
Louis Leakey was educated at St John's College[27] and Weymouth College[28].
What awards did Louis Leakey receive?
Honors received include Vega Medal[29], Founder’s Medal[30], Prestwich Medal[31], and Hubbard Medal[32].
Who did Louis Leakey influence?
Louis Leakey has been cited as an influence by Jane Goodall[55] and Birutė Galdikas[61].
What did Louis Leakey discover?
Louis Leakey is credited as discoverer of OH 9[67] and Olduvai Hominid 8[69].