The College community is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Dame Jane Goodall, Honorary Fellow and world-renowned conservationist. Dr Goodall died yesterday at the age of 91, in California where she was on a speaking tour.
Born in London in 1934, Dr Goodall began her research into the behaviour of chimpanzees in Tanzania in 1960. Her observations reframed scientific understanding of the intelligence of primates, setting a new course for evolutionary science. Through the Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977, she dedicated herself to conservation, campaigning for the protection of chimpanzees and the environment.
Dr Goodall completed her PhD at Newnham College in the early 1960s, having been invited to do so on the strength of her existing research, despite not having a prior degree. She retained strong links to Cambridge, accepting an Honorary Doctorate in 2019, when she became an Honorary Fellow at both Darwin and Newnham.
The Master, Dr Mike Rands, said:
“Jane was elected as an Honorary Fellow of Darwin in 2019 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to ethology and nature conservation. She was an extraordinary field scientist, naturalist and passionate advocate for the protection of the natural world.
I met her at a dinner in Darwin hosted by Mary Fowler before I became Master, after Jane had delivered the Rede Lecture on “Reasons for Hope” at Cambridge in June 2019, when she also received an Honorary Degree from the University. I had previously got to know her when she visited the Cambridge Conservation Initiative to deliver a key note speech at our Earth Optimism event in 2017.
She was a deeply inspiring individual, and had a remarkable ability to combine a deep commitment to science with a real passion for nature. Her legacy lives on in the Jane Goodall Institute, but she will be deeply missed by everyone committed to understanding and protecting all life on Earth. The world has lost an uncompromising, passionate voice for nature. Our thoughts are with her family and worldwide network of friends and young conservationists she did so much to inspire and support.”
