Louis Leakey
A visionary scientist with local roots who changed the story of humankind
A blue plaque has been installed in the village of Foxton to honour one of the most influential figures in 20th-century science—Louis Leakey, the pioneering palaeoanthropologist who transformed our understanding of human evolution.
Born in 1903 in what is now Kenya, Leakey was raised among the Kikuyu people and developed a profound respect for African cultures and communities. This early exposure would shape both his worldview and his life’s work. His passion for archaeology led him to Cambridge, where he studied and later taught. It was also in Cambridge that he met his first wife, Frida Avern, and lived at The Lodge, 13 High Street, Foxton— where the plaque has been installed.
Louis Leakey’s groundbreaking work proved that humankind originated in Africa, laying the foundations for what we now know as the “Out of Africa” theory. His discoveries in the Olduvai Gorge with his second wife, Mary Leakey, unearthed fossil evidence of early hominids like Homo habilis and forever altered the field of palaeoanthropology.
“Leakey’s insatiable curiosity, rigorous fieldwork, and tireless advocacy transformed our understanding of early human evolution.”
— Cllr Tom Bygott, Cambridge & District Blue Plaque Scheme
More than fossils: Mentoring the ‘Trimates’
But Leakey’s legacy goes far beyond fossils and fieldwork. He was a champion of young talent and diversity in science, famously mentoring three pioneering women—Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birutė Galdikas—who transformed primatology through their studies of chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, respectively. Leakey’s belief that studying living primates could illuminate human evolution proved to be visionary. His mentorship, fundraising prowess, and scientific advocacy helped launch these groundbreaking careers. Fossey’s story would later be immortalised in the film Gorillas in the Mist, where Leakey appeared as a central character.
A home in Foxton
The tranquil village of Foxton may seem far removed from the dramatic landscapes of East Africa, but it was here—at 13 High Street—that Leakey wrote and reflected on the broader implications of his work. The house is an important part of the village’s heritage and was built in 1705.
Through the blue plaque, Foxton now proudly honours a legacy that spans continents and generations. It’s a reminder that even the quietest places can be the backdrop for world-changing thought.
Celebrating Cambridge’s global connections
The unveiling of the blue plaque took place in May 2025 and was hosted by the University of Cambridge’s Department of Archaeology, marking a moment of pride for the academic community where Leakey’s journey began, celebrating his bold thinking and the inspiration he provided across archaeology, palaeontology, and primatology.
“From his days as an undergraduate here at Cambridge to his world-famous excavations at Olduvai Gorge, he was an energetic and innovative thinker.”
— Dr Tamsin O’Connell, Head of Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge
This was the 43rd plaque installed by the Cambridge & District Blue Plaque Scheme, which is run by the Cambridge Past, Present & Future.
We are very grateful to South Cambridgeshire District Council for funding the plaque and to Cambridge University for hosting the unveiling event and to Daniel Everson for installing the plaque. We also thank the owners of the house for agreeing to the plaque being installed and to Tom Bygott, who proposed the plaque and worked hard to bring it to fruition, alongside the work of the other volunteers who serve on our Blue Plaque Committee.
Left to right: Dr Tamsin O’Connell, Head of Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge; Cllr Peter Fane SCDC Council Chair; Philip Leakey, son of Louis Leakey; Cllr Tom Bygott Blue Plaque committee member.
