1932-1985

American Zoologist

American zoologist Dian Fossey is best known for her field studies of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda and Zaire, which served to dispel many myths about the violent and aggressive nature of gorillas. Her dedicated work combined research and conservation to ensure the survival of these elusive and endangered animals.

Born in San Francisco, Fossey graduated from San Jose State College in 1954 with a degree in occupational therapy; she then worked at a children's hospital in Kentucky for several years. During this time she read and studied all that she could about African primates. Inspired by the writings of American zoologist George B. Schaller, including Life of the Gorilla, Fossey traveled to Africa on holiday in 1963.

In letters home, she described her trip in colorful detail. She observed mountain gorillas in their home habitat, the mist-shrouded volcanoes in central Africa...