Dr. Jane Goodall Wins 2021 Templeton Prize
Dr. Jane Goodall Wins
2021 Templeton Prize
We wanted you to be the first to know the exciting news: Dr. Jane Goodall, legendary scientist, conservationist, and activist, has just won the 2021 Templeton Prize.
Dr. Goodall is known worldwide for her groundbreaking research studying chimpanzee behavior, which began in Africa in 1960. Unlike the many well-deserved accolades she has received for that work, the Templeton Prize is now proud to honor Dr. Goodall’s lifelong scientific and spiritual curiosity, and her unrelenting effort to help humanity understand the interconnectedness of the natural world. At $1.5 million, it is the single largest award she has received in her illustrious career.
We are delighted and honored to celebrate Dr. Jane Goodall this year, as her achievements go beyond the traditional parameters of scientific research to define our perception of what it means to be human. Her discoveries have profoundly altered the world’s view of animal intelligence and enriched our understanding of humanity’s relationship to the natural world. Dr. Goodall’s work exemplifies the humility, curiosity, and discovery that my grandfather, Sir John Templeton, spoke about during his life, and which he wished to honor with this award.
Please take a moment to watch Dr. Goodall accept the 2021 Templeton Prize and reflect on her vision that “if we have a soul and a spirit, then the other creatures do, too”:
Dr. Goodall caused a revolution in the mid-20th century by showing the world that chimpanzees were far more complex in their emotions, social structures, and behaviors than anyone at the time knew. In the decades since she disembarked on the shores of Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve, Dr. Goodall has built upon her scientific research to become one of the world’s most influential champions of animal life on Earth.
“I can identify closely with the motto that Sir John Templeton chose for his foundation, How little we know, how eager to learn, and I am eternally thankful that my curiosity and desire to learn is as strong as it was when I was a child,” said Dr. Goodall in her acceptance statement for the Prize. “I understand that the deep mysteries of life are forever beyond scientific knowledge and ‘now we see through a glass darkly; then face to face.’”
We hope you’ll join us in congratulating Dr. Jane Goodall on Twitter and Facebook for this incredible honor. You can learn more about Dr. Goodall’s award on TempletonPrize.org, and by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. We’re looking forward to sharing more reflections from Dr. Goodall on her life’s work soon.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=971A505HaBE[/embedyt]
Heather Templeton Dill
President, John Templeton Foundation and Granddaughter of Sir John Templeton
Read featured news articles and learn more about the work of Dr. Jane Goodall.
