Contents
Jane Goodall
Revealing that wild chimpanzees make and use tools.
In the Shadow of Man · The Chimpanzees of Gombe
- Born
- 3 April 1934
- Birthplace
- London, England
- Died
- 1 October 2025
More people
Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall was a British primatologist whose long-term observations at Gombe transformed research on chimpanzees. She later devoted much of her life to conservation and youth environmental programmes.
Early life
Childhood animals
Grew up in Bournemouth with an early fascination for wildlife.
A journey to Kenya
Met Louis Leakey in 1957; he encouraged her to study wild chimpanzees.
Career
- 1960
Gombe fieldwork
Began observing chimpanzees in what is now Tanzania.
- 1965–1966
Cambridge doctorate
Completed a doctorate in ethology after entering without an undergraduate degree.
- 1977
Conservation organisation
Founded the Jane Goodall Institute.
- 1991
Youth programme
Helped establish Roots & Shoots in Tanzania.
Contributions
In the Shadow of Man
Account of the chimpanzee community she observed at Gombe.
The Chimpanzees of Gombe
Detailed scientific synthesis of long-term field research.
Beyond the lab
Family at Gombe
Her mother accompanied her on the first field expedition.
Global advocacy
Campaigned for animal welfare and habitat protection, becoming a UN Messenger of Peace in 2002.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Cambridge history ↗Photo: U.S. Department of State from United States. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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