UCL Grad’s Google Doodle

Today’s Google Doodle pays tribute to famous archaeologist and UCL graduate Mary Leakey to celebrate her 100th birthday. The renowned scientist, who discovered the first fossilised Proconsul skull, an extinct species […]


Today’s Google Doodle pays tribute to famous archaeologist and UCL graduate Mary Leakey to celebrate her 100th birthday.

The renowned scientist, who discovered the first fossilised Proconsul skull, an extinct species of ape believed to be ancestral to humans, attended UCL as an unregistered student after being rejected by Oxford due to her poor academic record and multiple expulsions during her school years.

A situation many UCL students today can empathise with.

Leakey’s only particular academic interests were in drawing and archaeology, and after several years she was able to secure a place on a field expedition, which kick started her glittering archaeological career.

Leakey died in 1996, and was described by Dr Alan Walker in her New York Times obituary as ,”one of the worlds great originals” who led ax “extraordinary life.”

A UCL alumna to be proud of. Let’s just hope they don’t put Chris Martin as the Google Doodle anytime soon.