Famous Paleontologists - List of Famous Paleontologists

Paleontologists study the fossils of plants, animals and other organisms in order to understand the forms of life that existed during the prehistoric or geologic times. The work of paleontologists throws light on the earth’s history: catastrophic events, geologic composition, and climate changes. Paleontology is a field intimately related to a number of other sciences like geology, biology, archeology, biochemistry, mathematics, and anatomy among others. Some paleontologists may work on field on sites locating fossil beds and excavating remains. Even though this is an important part of their work, most of the times paleontologists do not have to visit the fossil sites themselves, often specimen discovered by other professionals while working on mining or petroleum sites are sent to the paleontologists for examination. They determine the age of the fossils using sophisticated techniques and observe the features to identify the species. The findings of their research provide vital insight into the earth’s history and evolution of life forms. Paleontologists primarily work in research or in teaching jobs. This section provides you information about the life and works of various famous paleontologists from all over the world.

The Most Famous Paleontologists

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Charles DarwinFebruary 12, 1809BritishCharles Darwin was one of the most influential figures in human history
Richard LeakeyDecember 19, 1944KenyanRichard Leakey is a famous paleoanthropologist and wild life conservationist, known for leading the expeditionsin Ethiopia's ‘Omo River’ district
Stephen Jay GouldSeptember 10, 1941AmericanStephen Jay Gould was a famous paleontologist and one of the most read science writers of his times
Birbal Sahni1891IndianBirbal Sahni was an Indian palaeobotanist who founded the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany in Lucknow
Birbal Sahni

Birbal Sahni

Birbal Sahni was an Indian palaeobotanist who founded the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany in Lucknow

Indian1891167 views

Richard Leakey

Richard Leakey is a famous paleoanthropologist and wild life conservationist, known for leading the expeditionsin Ethiopia's ‘Omo River’ district

KenyanDecember 19, 1944244 views

Stephen Jay Gould

Stephen Jay Gould was a famous paleontologist and one of the most read science writers of his times

AmericanSeptember 10, 1941196 views

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin was one of the most influential figures in human history

BritishFebruary 12, 1809473 views