Roy Chapman Andrews
- Born:
- January 26, 1884, Beloit, Wisconsin, USA
- Died:
- March 11, 1960, Carmel, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Explorer, Zoologist, Paleontologist, Author
Early Life and Education
- Showed an early interest in natural history, self-taught in taxidermy.
- Graduated from Beloit College in 1906 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Began his career at the American Museum of Natural History as a janitor, working his way up.
Career and Major Achievements
- Joined the American Museum of Natural History's Department of Mammalogy in 1906.
- Led expeditions to Alaska, Borneo, and Asia, collecting specimens and conducting research.
- Famous for leading a series of expeditions to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia during the 1920s.
- These Gobi Desert expeditions discovered significant fossil finds, including dinosaur eggs, Velociraptor remains, and other important paleontological specimens.
- Served as Director of the American Museum of Natural History from 1934 to 1942.
Notable Works
- Whale Hunting with Gun and Camera (1916)
- Across Mongolian Plains: A Naturalist's Account of China's "Great Northwest" (1921)
- On the Trail of Ancient Man: A Narrative of the Field Work of the Central Asiatic Expeditions (1926)
- The New Conquest of Central Asia: A Narrative of the Explorations of the Central Asiatic Expeditions in Mongolia and China, 1921-1930 (1932)
- This Business of Exploring (1935)
- Under a Lucky Star: A Lifetime of Adventure (1943)
- An Explorer Comes Home: Adventures and Discoveries (1947)
Legacy and Impact
Roy Chapman Andrews's contributions to paleontology and zoology are significant, particularly his leadership of the Central Asiatic Expeditions, which yielded crucial fossil discoveries. He popularized scientific exploration and adventure, inspiring generations of scientists and explorers. While subsequent assessments of his scientific rigor have varied, the impact of a 'Roy Chapman Andrews biography' on understanding his role in the history of paleontology remains considerable.