Jane Goodall

The story, in brief.

Dame Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall was an English primatologist and anthropologist. Regarded as a pioneer in primate ethology, and described by many publications as "the world's preeminent chimpanzee expert", she was best known for more than six decades of field research on the social and family life of wild chimpanzees in the Kasakela chimpanzee community at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. Beginning in 1960, under the mentorship of the palaeontologist Louis Leakey, Goodall's research demonstrated that chimpanzees share many key traits with humans, such as using tools, having complex emotions, forming lasting social bonds, engaging in organised warfare, and passing on knowledge across generations, which redefined the traditional view that humans are uniquely different from other animals.

Introduction from Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full biography ↗

A life in milestones.

Selected records from Wikidata. Ages are approximate; “c.” marks uncertain dates. This is a starting point for exploration, not a complete life history.

1. 1934
   Life

   Born in Hampstead

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2. 1984~ age 50
   Recognition

   J. Paul Getty Award for Conservation Leadership

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3. 1990~ age 56
   Recognition

   Gold Medal of the Society of Woman Geographers

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4. 1995~ age 61
   Recognition

   Hubbard Medal

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5. 1996~ age 62
   Recognition

   William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement

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6. 2003~ age 69
   Recognition

   Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

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7. 2004~ age 70
   Recognition

   Nierenberg Prize

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8. 2007~ age 73
   Recognition

   Honorary doctorate from University of Toronto

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9. 2014~ age 80
   Recognition

   President's Medal

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10. 2020~ age 86
    Recognition

    honorary doctor of the University of Zurich

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11. 2025~ age 91
    Recognition

    Presidential Medal of Freedom

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12. 2025~ age 91
    Life

    Death

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