Thomas S. Savage

T S Savage

American missionary and paleontologist

Thomas S. Savage

Name	Thomas S. Savage
Birth name
Birth date	June 7, 1804
Birth place	Cromwell, Connecticut, United States
Death date	December 27, 1880
Death place
Alma mater
Occupation	Missionary, Paleontologist
Years active
Organization
Known for	Discovery of Gorilla
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Gorilla
• Paleontology
• Missionary
• Yale University
• American Colonization Society