Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

Elwyn L. Simons

Elwyn LaVerne Simons was an American paleontologist, paleozoologist, and a wildlife conservationist for primates. He was known as the father of modern primate paleontology for his discovery of some of humankind's earliest antecedents.

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Jun 21, 2026
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Elwyn L. Simons
Born
Elwyn LaVerne Simons

(1930-07-14)July 14, 1930
DiedMarch 6, 2016(2016-03-06) (aged 85)
Alma mater
Spouses
  • Friderun Ankel-Simons (m. 1972)
Scientific career
Fields
Institutions
Glenn Jepsen
Notable students
Simons

Elwyn LaVerne Simons (July 14, 1930 – March 6, 2016) was an American paleontologist, paleozoologist, and a wildlife conservationist for primates.1 He was known as the father of modern primate paleontology for his discovery of some of humankind's earliest antecedents.2

His paleontology field work included sites in Egypt, Madagascar, and the U.S. state of Wyoming. 3

Works

He authored more than 300 scholarly books and research articles, often acting as the sole author or coauthoring with his students and colleagues.4 He was a member of both the National Academy of Sciences (US)5 and the American Philosophical Society.6

See also

See also

References

References

  1. DukeToday.edu: "Fossil Expert and Primate Conservationist Elwyn Simons Dies at 85", by Robin A. Smith, 9 March 9, 2016.
  2. New York Times.com: "Elwyn L. Simons, Who Discovered Early Human Forebears, Dies at 85", 16 March 2016, by Margalit Fox . accessed 27 April 2017.
  3. Oakley 2007, p. 4.
  4. Oakley 2007, p. 5.
  5. "Elwyn L. Simons". www.nasonline.org. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  6. "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Retrieved 2021-12-13.

Literature cited

  • Oakley, F. B. (2007). "Introduction to the Festschrift". In Fleagle, J. G.; Gilbert, C. C. (eds.). Elwyn Simons: A Search for Origins. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 3–5. ISBN 9780387738963.