"Dame Jane Morris Goodall is a highly esteemed English primatologist and anthropologist, widely recognized as the leading authority on chimpanzees. Her groundbreaking research, spanning over six decades at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, has profoundly deepened our understanding of the intricate social structures, family dynamics, and behavior of these fascinating primates. Her work has revolutionized our understanding of primate behavior and raised awareness about the importance of conservation."
April 1934: Birth of Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall was born in Hampstead, London in April 1934.
April 1934: Birth of Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall was born in Hampstead, London in April 1934.
1958: Goodall Studies Primate Behavior and Anatomy
In 1958, before venturing to Gombe, Jane Goodall honed her knowledge by studying primate behavior with Osman Hill and primate anatomy with John Napier in London.
July 1960: Goodall Begins Research at Gombe Stream National Park
On 14 July 1960, Jane Goodall arrived at Gombe Stream National Park with her mother to begin her groundbreaking chimpanzee research.
1960: Goodall Begins Research at Gombe Stream National Park
In 1960, Jane Goodall first went to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
1960: Goodall Begins Studying Chimpanzee Social Behavior
Jane Goodall's research on chimpanzee social and family life began in 1960 at Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, where she made groundbreaking observations about their complex social interactions.
1962: Goodall Begins PhD at Cambridge
In 1962, despite not having an undergraduate degree, Jane Goodall was given the unique opportunity to pursue a PhD at the University of Cambridge.
March 1964: Marriage to Baron Hugo van Lawick
Jane Goodall married wildlife photographer Baron Hugo van Lawick on March 1964.
1964: Goodall Receives Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences
Jane Goodall received her Bachelor of Arts in natural sciences from Newnham College, Cambridge in 1964.
1966: Goodall Completes PhD on Chimpanzee Behavior
In 1966, Jane Goodall completed her Doctor of Philosophy in ethology at Darwin College, Cambridge, focusing her thesis on five years of chimpanzee observations at the Gombe Reserve.
1967: Birth of Hugo Eric Louis
Jane Goodall and Hugo van Lawick's son, Hugo Eric Louis, was born in 1967.
1974: Gombe Chimpanzee War Begins
Beginning in 1974, a four-year period of intense aggression and violence, known as the Gombe Chimpanzee War, broke out among the chimpanzee communities observed by Jane Goodall.
1974: Divorce from Baron Hugo van Lawick
Jane Goodall and Hugo van Lawick divorced in 1974.
1977: Goodall Founds the Jane Goodall Institute
In 1977, driven by her passion for conservation, Jane Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which significantly supports chimpanzee research and habitat preservation.
1977: Mystical Experience at Notre Dame Cathedral
Jane Goodall had a mystical experience at Notre Dame Cathedral in 1977, leading to a deeper connection with spirituality.
1978: Gombe Chimpanzee War Ends
The Gombe Chimpanzee War, a period of intense intergroup conflict among the chimpanzees, concluded in 1978.
October 1980: Death of Derek Bryceson
Jane Goodall's second husband, Derek Bryceson, passed away from cancer in October 1980.
1986: Understanding Chimpanzees Conference
The Understanding Chimpanzees conference, hosted by the Chicago Academy of Sciences in 1986, was a pivotal moment for Jane Goodall, shifting her focus from observation to a broader concern with animal-human conservation.
1988: Gary Larson's Visit to Gombe
In 1988, cartoonist Gary Larson visited Jane Goodall's research facility in Tanzania and was attacked by a chimpanzee named Frodo. Despite the incident, Goodall praised Larson's creative work in the preface of 'The Far Side Gallery 5.'
1990: Goodall Publishes "Through a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe"
In 1990, Jane Goodall's memoir, "Through a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe," detailed her observations of chimpanzee behavior, including the Gombe Chimpanzee War (1974–1978).
1991: Goodall Initiates Roots & Shoots Program
In 1991, Jane Goodall laid the foundation for the Roots & Shoots program, a global youth initiative, inspired by a conversation with local teenagers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
1991: Publication of Critique on Feeding Methods
In 1991, Margaret Power published a book critiquing the use of feeding stations to attract Gombe chimpanzees, suggesting it altered their natural behaviors and may have contributed to increased aggression and conflicts, which Jane Goodall had described in her studies.
1992: Goodall Establishes Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre
In 1992, driven by the plight of orphaned chimpanzees due to the bush-meat trade, Jane Goodall founded the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre in the Republic of Congo.
1993: Reflection on Anthropomorphism in Primate Studies
In 1993, Jane Goodall reflected on the criticism she received for attributing human-like qualities to chimpanzees in her early research, a concept known as anthropomorphism.
1994: Goodall Establishes TACARE
In 1994, Jane Goodall spearheaded the Lake Tanganyika Catchment Reforestation and Education (TACARE) project, focusing on reforestation around Gombe and empowering local communities through sustainability and education.
1998: Appointment as President of Advocates for Animals
Jane Goodall assumed the role of president for Advocates for Animals in 1998, a position she held until 2008.
1999: Publication of "Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey"
In her 1999 book "Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey," Jane Goodall explores the implications of her mystical experience and her evolving beliefs.
2000: Foundation of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
In 2000, Jane Goodall, with Professor Mark Bekoff, co-founded Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an organization promoting ethical animal treatment in ethological studies.
April 2002: Named United Nations Messenger of Peace
In April 2002, Jane Goodall was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, recognizing her extensive environmental and humanitarian work.
April 2002: Goodall Named UN Messenger of Peace
In April 2002, Jane Goodall's dedication to conservation and animal welfare was recognized when she was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
2004: Opposition to Amending the Hunting Act 2004
Jane Goodall expressed her opposition to David Cameron's proposed amendment to the Hunting Act 2004, which aimed to relax restrictions on fox hunting.
2004: Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
In 2004, Jane Goodall was honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in an Investiture held at Buckingham Palace for her contributions to science and conservation.
2004: Goodall's Advocacy Work
By 2004, Jane Goodall dedicated a majority of her time advocating for chimpanzees and environmental issues, traveling extensively to raise awareness.
June 2006: Goodall Receives Honorary Doctorate
In June 2006, The Open University of Tanzania bestowed Jane Goodall with an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
2008: Resignation from Advocates for Animals and Continued Advocacy
In 2008, Jane Goodall resigned from Advocates for Animals due to time constraints while continuing to advocate against animal use in medical research and promoting alternative methods.
2009: Publication of "The Inner World of Farm Animals"
In 2009, Jane Goodall authored "The Inner World of Farm Animals," advocating for ethical treatment and respect for farm animals, highlighting their intelligence and individuality.
September 2010: Public Statements About Faith and Evolution
In September 2010, Jane Goodall addressed questions about her faith, acknowledging a belief in a "great spiritual power" and expressing compatibility between evolution and belief in God.
2010: Gombe 50 Benefit Concert
In 2010, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds held a benefit concert in Washington DC to commemorate 'Gombe 50,' celebrating Jane Goodall's pioneering chimpanzee research and her inspiring vision for the future.
2010: Petition to List All Chimpanzees as Endangered
In 2010, Jane Goodall, through JGI, spearheaded a coalition to petition for the classification of all chimpanzees, including captive ones, as endangered.
March 2011: Goodall's Archives Moved to Duke University
In March 2011, Jane Goodall's extensive collection of research archives was moved to Duke University for preservation and further study.
2011: Patronage of Voiceless
Jane Goodall became a patron of the Australian animal protection group Voiceless in 2011, further solidifying her stance against factory farming.
2012: Goodall's Fascination with Cryptids
In 2012, Jane Goodall expressed her interest in the possible existence of undiscovered primates like Sasquatch and Bigfoot during an interview with the Huffington Post. She mentioned being fascinated by the accounts despite the lack of physical evidence.
2012: Involvement in the Engage in Conservation Challenge
Jane Goodall participated as a challenger in The DO School's Engage in Conservation Challenge in 2012, collaborating to create a workshop promoting biodiversity conservation awareness.
March 2013: Delay of 'Seeds of Hope' Book Release
On 22 March 2013, Hachette Book Group announced the delay of Jane Goodall's book 'Seeds of Hope' due to discovered instances of plagiarism. Goodall apologized and committed to addressing the issues, aiming for a revised release that met high standards.
April 2014: Release of 'Seeds of Hope' After Revision
Jane Goodall's book 'Seeds of Hope' was released on 1 April 2014, following a thorough review and the addition of 57 pages of endnotes to address previously identified plagiarism issues.
2014: Criticism of Air France and NIH Animal Practices
Jane Goodall publicly criticized Air France in 2014 for transporting monkeys to laboratories and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for maternal deprivation experiments on baby monkeys.
2015: Success of Petition for Endangered Status of Chimpanzees
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced their acceptance of the petition to classify all chimpanzees as endangered in 2015, marking a victory for Goodall's efforts.
2015: Endorsement of Caroline Lucas and Continued Advocacy Against Fox Hunting
Jane Goodall endorsed Green Party candidate Caroline Lucas in the 2015 UK general election and continued to voice her opposition to fox hunting, highlighting her commitment to animal welfare.
2017: Ambassadorship for Disneynature
Jane Goodall became an ambassador for Disneynature in 2017.
2017: Foreword to "The Intelligence of the Cosmos"
Jane Goodall wrote the foreword for Ervin Laszlo's 2017 book "The Intelligence of the Cosmos," further elaborating on her belief in an "Intelligence" guiding evolution.
2018: Goodall Partners with Schmidt's Naturals
In 2018, Jane Goodall partnered with Schmidt's Naturals to create a line of natural products, with a portion of sales benefiting the Jane Goodall Institute.
August 2019: Honoring Goodall's Contributions to Science
In August 2019, a bronze sculpture of Jane Goodall was unveiled in Midtown Manhattan as part of the "Statues for Equality" project, recognizing her significant contributions to science.
2019: Named Among Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2019, Time magazine named Jane Goodall as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing her significant impact on environmental conservation and primate research.
2020: Advocacy for Ecocide as an International Crime and Tree Planting Pledge
Jane Goodall advocated for the recognition of ecocide as an international crime in 2020 and committed to planting 5 million trees as part of a global initiative.
2020: Goodall Partners with Neptune Wellness Solutions
Jane Goodall expanded her advocacy through a partnership with Neptune Wellness Solutions in 2020, creating another line of natural products supporting the Jane Goodall Institute.
October 2021: Contribution to "The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World"
Jane Goodall joined the Rewriting Extinction campaign and contributed to the book "The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World," released in October 2021, using comics as a medium to raise awareness about environmental issues.
December 2021: Guest Editor for BBC Radio Four
On 31 December 2021, Jane Goodall served as the guest editor of the BBC Radio Four Today programme, selecting Francis Collins to present the Thought for the Day segment.
2021: Call for the Abolition of Caged Farming in the EU
Continuing her advocacy for animal welfare, Jane Goodall called upon the EU Commission to ban the caging of farm animals in 2021.
2021: Received the Templeton Prize
In 2021, Jane Goodall was awarded the Templeton Prize for her exceptional contributions to scientific research and spiritual progress.
2021: Transition to Veganism and Publication of "Eat Meat Less"
Jane Goodall adopted a vegan lifestyle in 2021 and released a cookbook titled "Eat Meat Less," further promoting her advocacy for plant-based diets.
March 2022: Release of Jane Goodall Lego Tribute
On 3 March 2022, The Lego Group released set number 40530, A Jane Goodall Tribute, featuring a minifigure of Jane Goodall with three chimpanzees in an African forest scene, in celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day.
2022: Awarded Stephen Hawking Medal
In 2022, Jane Goodall received the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication in recognition of her long-term study of chimpanzee social and family interactions.
April 2023: Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau
In April 2023, Jane Goodall was appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau during a ceremony held in The Hague, Netherlands, honoring her contributions to science and conservation.