Thomas S. Savage

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T S Savage

Thomas S. Savage
BornJune 7, 1804
Cromwell, Connecticut, United States
DiedDecember 27, 1880
NationalityAmerican
OccupationMissionary, Paleontologist
Known forDiscovery of Gorilla


Thomas Staughton Savage (June 7, 1804 – December 27, 1880) was an American missionary and paleontologist. He is best known for his discovery and description of the Gorilla, which he first identified in 1847.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Thomas S. Savage was born in Cromwell, Connecticut. He pursued his education at Yale University, where he developed an interest in natural history. After completing his studies, he attended the Yale Divinity School and was ordained as a minister.

Missionary Work[edit | edit source]

In the early 1830s, Savage was sent as a missionary to Liberia by the American Colonization Society. During his time in Liberia, he became interested in the local fauna and began collecting specimens.

Discovery of the Gorilla[edit | edit source]

Savage's most notable contribution to science was his discovery of the Gorilla. In 1847, he published a paper describing the species, which he named Gorilla gorilla. This was the first scientific description of the animal, and it brought significant attention to the species.

Later Life and Contributions[edit | edit source]

After his work in Liberia, Savage returned to the United States, where he continued his work in both the religious and scientific communities. He contributed to various scientific journals and was a member of several scientific societies.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Thomas S. Savage is remembered for his pioneering work in the field of paleontology and his contributions to the understanding of primate species. His discovery of the Gorilla remains a significant milestone in the field of zoology.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD