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Born - March 28, 1905
Born - March 28, 1905
Died - June 14, 1986
Died - June 14, 1986
Early Life
Early Life
He was interested in animals throughout his life. At the age of seven, he was creating his own zoo. Marlin's interest in animals continued to grow, and he enrolled in zoology at the University of Missouri -- Columbia. At the age of 21, he quit school to apply for work at the Saint Louis Zoo.
Missouri Connection
Missouri Connection
Marlin was born in Carthage, Missouri. He attended the Univeristy of Missouri-Columbia. He lived in St. Louis and worked for the St. Louis Zoo.
Claim to Fame
Claim to Fame
R. Marlin Perkins is recognized as one of the leading ecologists and naturalists in the world. He brought wildlife behavior to television on Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom," which was shown in 40 countries and awarded four Emmys. Perkins began his zoo career in 1926 at the St. Louis Zoological Gardens. He then went on to serve as the curator of the New York Zoo in Buffalo, N.Y., and director of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Then Perkins returned to the St. Louis Zoo as its director.
Later Life
Later Life
He retired as director of the Saint Louis Zoo in 1970 but remained active in community and conservation projects. Marlin received an American Education Award in 1974 and was granted an honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Missouri -- Columbia. In 1991 the Saint Louis Zoo founded the Marlin Perkins Society, to carry on his dream for conserving endangered species and nurturing their existence.
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