Age and Identity: Core Answers
Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick is commonly referenced in connection with Jane Goodall, and questions about his age, lifespan, and biographical details arise frequently. He was born on 10 April 1937 in Surabaya, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), and died on 2 September 2015 in London, England, at age 78. This profile clarifies his age at key life milestones, contextualizes his role alongside Goodall, and relies on verifiable records such as birth and death registrations, biographies, and reputable media to distinguish confirmed facts from speculation.
Biographical Timeline and Verified Dates
Below is a concise, date-driven overview that anchors age-related questions in documented milestones. Each entry pairs a date or period with an event and explains why it matters for understanding his life span and historical context.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 10 April 1937 | Birth in Surabaya, Dutch East Indies | Establishes chronological starting point and age baseline |
| 1960s | Work with Jane Goodall at Gombe Stream Research Centre | Context for his role in primatology and documentary filmmaking |
| 1964 | Marriage to Jane Goodall (later divorced) | Personal and professional partnership timeline marker |
| 2 September 2015 | Death in London, England | End of lifespan; confirms age at death as 78 |
Documented Career Context
Van Lawick gained recognition as a wildlife filmmaker and photographer whose work in Africa complemented Goodall’s research. Understanding his professional path helps frame biographical queries, including age-related milestones, within his public contributions rather than solely personal details.
Key Professional Roles
- Wildlife filmmaker and cinematographer focusing on African fauna
- Photographer for National Geographic and other major outlets
- Collaborator with Jane Goodall on field documentation in the 1960s
- Author and subject of documentaries that popularized field primatology
Clarifying Common Misconceptions
Public interest can conflate identities or misrepresent timelines, particularly where partnership and family are involved. This section separates verified facts from inferred or speculative claims, focusing on traceable data such as registries, legal records, and authoritative biographies.
- Name: Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick is consistently recorded with these given names in formal documents.
- Birth year 1937 is confirmed by multiple independent biographical sources; no credible record supports an alternative year.
- Age at death: 78 years, based on documented birth and death dates.
- Relationship with Jane Goodall: Married 1964, divorced 1974; collaboration spanned parts of the 1960s.
Comparative Reference Points
Situating van Lawick’s life stage alongside collaborators and contemporaneous figures can make age estimates more concrete. The following simplified comparison highlights overlapping careers and approximate age ranges at notable shared milestones.
| Person | Birth Year | Age in 1964 | Notable Shared Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick | 1937 | 27 | Filmmaker and spouse to Goodall during early Gombe work |
| Jane Goodall | 1934 | 30 | Primatologist and research lead at Gombe |
Frequently Asked Questions
Addressing recurring queries succinctly improves clarity and reduces redundant searches. These answers synthesize confirmed data and avoid speculation.
How old was Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick when he died?
He died at age 78, based on a birth date of 10 April 1937 and death date of 2 September 2015.
What year was he born?
He was born in 1937, specifically on 10 April 1937 in Surabaya.
Did his age change public understanding of his work timeline?
While age at collaboration offers context, his documented film and photography outputs from the 1960s are the primary anchors for understanding his professional timeline, not his age alone.
Reliable Source Guidance
For readers who wish to verify independently, reputable biographies, archival birth and death records, and authenticated media interviews provide the basis for these details. When assessing online claims, prioritize sources that cite documents or demonstrate transparent methodology.
This explanation is designed to remain useful over time by focusing on verifiable data and clarifying common points of confusion. It avoids speculative commentary and centers on facts that support accurate, enduring understanding.