Louis Seymour Bazett Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey Leakey

Birth and ChildhoodBirth and Childhood

Louis was born on August 7, 1903 at Kabete Louis was born on August 7, 1903 at Kabete Mission which was near Nairobi, Kenya.Mission which was near Nairobi, Kenya.

Even though Louis got to visit England a few Even though Louis got to visit England a few times he considered himself African.times he considered himself African.

He learned to hunt, speak Kikuyu, and was an He learned to hunt, speak Kikuyu, and was an official member of the Kikuyu tribe.official member of the Kikuyu tribe.

When he was 13 years old he discovered stone When he was 13 years old he discovered stone tools and then ever since Louis had a passion tools and then ever since Louis had a passion for prehistory. for prehistory.

Education and OccupationEducation and Occupation

In 1922 Louis started to go to school at In 1922 Louis started to go to school at Cambridge University.Cambridge University.

Louis had to stop his studies in 1923because of a Louis had to stop his studies in 1923because of a rugby accident.rugby accident.

In 1926 Louis graduated in anthropology and In 1926 Louis graduated in anthropology and archaeology.archaeology.

Some of his jobs were being a African consultant, Some of his jobs were being a African consultant, Officer for the government (as a spy), exhibition Officer for the government (as a spy), exhibition organizer, translator, and speaking and writing. organizer, translator, and speaking and writing.

Adulthood and FamilyAdulthood and Family

Louis married Frida Avern in 1928.Louis married Frida Avern in 1928. In 1933 Louis met Mary Nicol who later became In 1933 Louis met Mary Nicol who later became

his second wife. his second wife. He has a total # of 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl). He has a total # of 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl).

There names were Colin, Philip, Richard, There names were Colin, Philip, Richard, Jonathan, and Priscilla.Jonathan, and Priscilla.

Louis’ parents were Mary and Harry Leakey.Louis’ parents were Mary and Harry Leakey. Richard was Louis’ only child that became an Richard was Louis’ only child that became an

archaeologist like himself. archaeologist like himself.

ExplorationsExplorations

In 1923 Leakey went to Africa for his first In 1923 Leakey went to Africa for his first expedition.expedition.

Approximately 2 years later searching for fossils Approximately 2 years later searching for fossils in East Africa.in East Africa.

In 1930’s took 2 trips to Kanjera and Kanam, In 1930’s took 2 trips to Kanjera and Kanam, second with Percy Boswell who later ruined his second with Percy Boswell who later ruined his reputation.reputation.

Louis did public relations (writing, fundraising and Louis did public relations (writing, fundraising and lecturing on topics of his investigations).lecturing on topics of his investigations).

In the 1950’s Louis and Mary did many diggings In the 1950’s Louis and Mary did many diggings mainly at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.mainly at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.

Death and LegacyDeath and Legacy

Louis Leakey’s death occurred on October 1, Louis Leakey’s death occurred on October 1, 1972.1972.

Louis was only 69 years old when he died in Louis was only 69 years old when he died in London.London.

Leakey died of a heart attack.Leakey died of a heart attack. Louis was buried at All Saint’s Church Cemetery Louis was buried at All Saint’s Church Cemetery

in Nairobi, Kenya.in Nairobi, Kenya. Louis Leakey was greatly missed by family and Louis Leakey was greatly missed by family and

friends.friends.

References References

www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/lleakey.htmlwww.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/lleakey.html www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/klmno/leakwww.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/klmno/leak

ey_louis.htmley_louis.html www.nndb.com/people/371/000094089/www.nndb.com/people/371/000094089/ Image:Image:

http://antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/lawrence/http://antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/lawrence/