Jane Goodall's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Jane Goodall. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Jane Goodall is a renowned English primatologist, zoologist, and anthropologist, considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees. Since 1960, she has dedicated over 60 years to studying the social and family dynamics of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. Her groundbreaking research revolutionized our understanding of chimpanzee behavior, challenging previous assumptions about their tool use, social structures, and cognitive abilities. Beyond her scientific contributions, Goodall is a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and animal welfare, inspiring generations to protect our planet and its inhabitants through her work with the Jane Goodall Institute.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

April 2002: Named UN Messenger of Peace

In April 2002, Jane Goodall was designated as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, recognizing her extensive work in conservation and animal welfare.

April 2002: Named a United Nations Messenger of Peace

In April 2002, Secretary-General Kofi Annan named Jane Goodall a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

2004: Named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

In 2004, Jane Goodall was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in an Investiture held at Buckingham Palace.

June 2006: Honorary Doctorate

On June 19, 2006, Jane Goodall was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by the Open University of Tanzania, recognizing her contributions to science and research.

2010: Benefit concert in Washington DC

In 2010, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds held a benefit concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC to commemorate "Gombe 50: a global celebration of Jane Goodall's pioneering chimpanzee research and inspiring vision for our future".

April 2014: Release of 'Seeds of Hope' after revisions

In April 2014, the book 'Seeds of Hope' by Jane Goodall and Gail Hudson was released after review and the addition of 57 pages of endnotes, following its initial postponement due to plagiarism concerns.

Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants

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2015: Chimpanzees Classified as Endangered

In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that they would accept the rule that all chimpanzees would be classified as endangered, thanks to Jane Goodall's petition with a number of organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

August 2019: Honoured with a bronze sculpture

In August 2019, Jane Goodall was honored with a bronze sculpture in Midtown Manhattan as part of the Statues for Equality project, recognizing her contributions to science alongside nine other women.

2019: Named one of Time's 100 most influential people

In 2019, Time magazine named Jane Goodall as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2021: Received the Templeton Prize

In 2021, Jane Goodall received the Templeton Prize.

March 2022: The Lego Group issues A Jane Goodall Tribute

On 3 March 2022, The Lego Group issued set number 40530, A Jane Goodall Tribute, depicting a Jane Goodall minifigure and three chimpanzees in an African forest scene in celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day.

2022: Received the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication

In 2022, Jane Goodall received the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication for her long-term study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees.