Scientist who dated origin of humans dies

John Robinson, a zoology professor whose research on human evolution ushered in a modern era of anthropology, died Friday, Oct. 12. He was 78.

A native of South Africa and a zoologist by training, Robinson spent decades in South Africa’s Transvaal Region uncovering hundreds of fossils that helped pinpoint and date the origin of the human race. Robinson, along with his mentor Robert Broom, discovered specimens of early human ancestors more than 2 million-years-old. Some of the fossils, such as the skull found in 1947, provided the very first evidence of man’s primitive beginnings. According to many colleagues, Robinson produced more relevant discoveries about the origin of humans than his contemporary Louis Leakey. Robinson’s findings, says former student and UW–Madison zoology professor Karen Steudel, were instrumental in establishing the antiquity of man and the nature of our human ancestors.

Robinson’s work focused on Australopithecus africanus, the earliest progenitors of humans. Through his research both in the field and the lab, Robinson found two distinct lineages of early hominids: while some climbed trees and ate vegetarian diets, others stood erect and ate meat. According to Robinson, as climate became drier, the tree climbers died out while the other group survived. Says Steudel, “Robinson is one of a handful of key people who showed us where the human lineage came from and how it evolved.”

Robinson joined the UW–Madison faculty in 1963 and retired in 1983, three years after suffering a stroke. He wrote more than 85 publications on hominid evolution and his views appear in introductory anthropology textbooks. But Steudel adds, “He cared a lot more about getting the interpretations right than getting publicity. He was a very honorable and scholarly man.”

Robinson is survived by his wife Sybil; both his sons, Richard and Peter, are deceased. A memorial service will be held at the Attic Angel Community Room, 8301 Old Sauk Rd., Middleton, Thursday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, or to St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 6205 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705.