Bryan Patterson, Paleontologist, Dies at Age 70

Bryan Patterson, Agassiz Professor of Vertebrate Paleontology Emeritus and an expert on the evolution of mammals died Saturday at the age of 70.

Patterson led the 1971 expedition to Kenya that unearthed the jawbore of a five-million-year-old ancestor of modern man, Australopithecus. At that time, it was the oldest known Australopithecus specimen.

Patterson also gained recognition for his studies of the fossil vertebrates of South America.

Born in London in March, 1909, Patterson attended Malvern College, England, and the University of Chicago.

He became Agassiz Professor of Vertebrate Paleontology in 1955, a post he held until his retirement in 1970.

A memorial service will be announced in January.