Richard Leakey.

Richard Erskine Frere Leakey

Born 19 Dec 1944 Nairobi, Kenya

Died 2 Jan 2022 Kenya

Citizenship Kenya

Would Be 81 yr If Living

6 min read

Reading time

1,081

Words

May 29, 2026

Published

Books

Awards

TL;DR

Richard Erskine Frere Leakey, born December 19, 1944, in Nairobi, Kenya, was a palaeoanthropologist and conservationist. He served as Director of the National Museum of Kenya, founded WildlifeDirect, and chaired the Kenya Wildlife Service. Leakey died on January 2, 2022, near Nairobi at age 77.

Identity & family.

KIN · 7

Names, aliases, and relatives of Richard Leakey — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Richard Erskine Frere Leakey

Aliases Dr Richard Leakey

Parents: Mary Leakey Louis Leakey
Spouses: Meave Leakey Margaret Cropper
Children: Louise Leakey
Siblings: Philip Leakey Jonathan Leakey

At a glance.

STATS

Richard Leakey by the numbers — life, work, and family.

77 Years lived

17 Books

6 Awards

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who was Richard Leakey?

BIOGRAPHY

Richard Leakey — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Richard Leakey was born on December 19, 1944, in Nairobi, Kenya, to palaeoanthropologists Mary Leakey and Louis Leakey. In his youth, he skipped class frequently to run a business selling small animals for photography. At age 16, he quit school, and with a loan from his parents bought a Land Rover, starting a trapping and safari business. He became a skilled horseman, mechanic, and archaeologist, though he initially resisted following his father’s career path.

Career

Leakey began his career in palaeoanthropology, leading expeditions that uncovered early hominid remains, including the Turkana Boy. He directed the National Museum of Kenya and founded the NGO WildlifeDirect. As chairman of the Kenya Wildlife Service, he aggressively fought elephant poaching and burned confiscated ivory. He received the Patron’s Medal, Hubbard Medal, Livingstone Medal, and Lucy Mair Medal, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He appeared in the 2017 documentary series Africa’s Great Civilizations and the 2016 film Ivory. A Crime Story.

Personal life

Leakey was married to Margaret Cropper and later to Meave Leakey, also a palaeontologist. He had one daughter, Louise Leakey, who also became a palaeontologist. His siblings include Philip Leakey, a former Kenyan MP, and Jonathan Leakey. His parents were the palaeoanthropologists Mary and Louis Leakey.

Legacy

Leakey transformed the Kenya Wildlife Service, halting poaching through aggressive enforcement and public ivory burns. He founded WildlifeDirect, an NGO supporting conservation projects. His fossil discoveries advanced understanding of human evolution. Posthumous honors recognized his contributions. His legacy continues through his daughter Louise and the institutions he built.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 6

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Richard Leakey — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Fellow of the Royal Society
Patron’s Medal
Hubbard Medal
Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences
Livingstone Medal
Lucy Mair Medal

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 17

Richard Leakey's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Origins

by Richard E. Leakey et al.
Amazon

The Sixth Extinction

by Richard E. Leakey et al.
Amazon

Origins Reconsidered

by Richard E. Leakey et al.
Amazon

Human Origins

by Richard E. Leakey et al.
Amazon

One Life

by Richard E. Leakey
Amazon

The Origin of Humankind

by Richard E. Leakey
Amazon

Wildlife Wars

by Richard E. Leakey et al.
Amazon

The Origin of Humankind (Science Masters)

by Richard E. Leakey
Amazon

Human Ancestors

by Scientific American et al.
Amazon

An African Winter

by Preston T. King et al.
Amazon

Sixth Extinction

by Richard E. Leakey et al.
Amazon

Die Ersten Spuren. ÜBer Den Ursprung Des Menschen

by Richard E. Leakey
Amazon

Wildlife

by Richard E. Leakey
Amazon

Wildlife. Ein Leben Für Die Elefanten.

by Richard E. Leakey et al.

Showing 14 of 17 View all 17 books

Did you know?

FACTS · 2

Little-known facts about Richard Leakey — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Skipping school as a youth, Richard Leakey ran a business capturing small animals for photographer Des Bartlett. At 16, he left school after an ultimatum from his parents, borrowed 500 pounds for a Land Rover, and partnered with Kamoya Kimeu in a trapping and skeleton supply business. By 1961, the venture evolved into a safari operation. Despite developing skills in horsemanship, mechanics, archaeology, and bone identification, he initially resisted following his father’s paleoanthropology career.
Born to Mary Leakey and Louis Leakey, both paleoanthropologists, Richard Leakey grew up in a scientific household. His brother Philip Leakey served as a Member of the Kenyan Parliament.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 28

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Richard Leakey.

When was Richard Leakey born?

Richard Leakey was born on December 19, 1944. He was born in Nairobi, Kenya.
Where was Richard Leakey born?

Richard Leakey was born in Nairobi, Kenya. He spent his early life there before pursuing his career.
When did Richard Leakey die?

Richard Leakey died on January 2, 2022. He was 77 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Richard Leakey when he died?

Richard Leakey was 77 years old when he died. He passed away on January 2, 2022.
Where did Richard Leakey die?

Richard Leakey died near Nairobi, Kenya. He lived in Kenya for most of his life.
What is Richard Leakey's real name?

Richard Leakey’s full birth name is Richard Erskine Frere Leakey. He was known publicly as Richard Leakey.
What nationality is Richard Leakey?

Richard Leakey was Kenyan. He was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya.
Who are Richard Leakey's parents?

Richard Leakey’s parents were Mary Leakey and Louis Leakey, both paleoanthropologists.
Who is Richard Leakey married to?

Richard Leakey was married to Meave Leakey and earlier to Margaret Cropper. Meave Leakey is also a paleontologist.
Does Richard Leakey have children?

Yes, Richard Leakey had one child, a daughter named Louise Leakey. She became a paleontologist like her parents.
Does Richard Leakey have any siblings?

Yes, Richard Leakey had two siblings: Philip Leakey, a former Kenyan MP, and Jonathan Leakey.
Where did Richard Leakey go to school?

Richard Leakey attended Lenana School in Kenya. He left at age 16 to start a business.
What awards has Richard Leakey won?

Richard Leakey received several major awards, including Fellow of the Royal Society, Patron’s Medal, Hubbard Medal, Livingstone Medal, and Lucy Mair Medal.
How many awards has Richard Leakey won?

Richard Leakey won six major awards including fellowships and medals from scientific and geographical societies.
What is Richard Leakey best known for?

Richard Leakey is best known for his work in palaeoanthropology and conservation. He appeared in the documentary Africa’s Great Civilizations and the film Ivory. A Crime Story.
Why was Richard Leakey also known as Dr Richard Leakey?

Richard Leakey was often referred to as Dr Richard Leakey because of his contributions to science and his role as a leading paleoanthropologist.
What positions did Richard Leakey hold?

Richard Leakey served as Director of the National Museum of Kenya, founded the NGO WildlifeDirect, and was chairman of the Kenya Wildlife Service.
What was Richard Leakey's role in conservation?

Richard Leakey led anti-poaching efforts as chairman of the Kenya Wildlife Service. He famously burned confiscated ivory to combat the illegal trade.
What TV shows did Richard Leakey appear in?

Richard Leakey appeared in the 2017 documentary series Africa’s Great Civilizations and the 2016 film Ivory. A Crime Story.
What was Richard Leakey's father's name?

Richard Leakey’s father was Louis Leakey, a famous paleoanthropologist and archaeologist.
What was Richard Leakey's mother's name?

Richard Leakey’s mother was Mary Leakey, a paleoanthropologist known for her fossil discoveries.
Did Richard Leakey have a daughter?

Yes, Richard Leakey had one daughter, Louise Leakey. She is also a paleontologist.
What was Richard Leakey's early business?

In his youth, Richard Leakey trapped and sold small animals for photography. Later, he ran a safari business with Kamoya Kimeu.
Did Richard Leakey have a brother in politics?

Yes, Richard Leakey’s brother Philip Leakey served as a Member of the Kenyan Parliament.
What awards did Richard Leakey receive in geography?

Richard Leakey received the Patron’s Medal from the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
Was Richard Leakey a Fellow of the Royal Society?

Yes, Richard Leakey was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the highest honors in science.
What was Richard Leakey's impact on human evolution studies?

Richard Leakey led expeditions that discovered important fossils, including Turkana Boy, a nearly complete skeleton of a hominid. These finds advanced the study of human evolution.
Did Richard Leakey have any other siblings besides Philip?

Yes, Richard Leakey also had a brother named Jonathan Leakey. Jonathan is known for his work in paleoanthropology as well.

View all 28 questions View fewer questions

Audited & updated by

Emma has 8 years of editorial experience and a very clear idea of what a good biography looks like. At Famousy, she runs the editorial operation and decides what meets the bar and what doesn't. She's the kind of editor who remembers the profiles she pushed back on more clearly than the ones she approved. That's not a complaint. That's exactly why the site reads the way it does.

Published on May 29, 2026

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