Roy Chapman Andrews was the director of the American Museum of Natural History who authored 22 books and headed expeditions across the world. This (literally) groundbreaking paleontologist, archeologist, and researcher is widely held as the real-life Indiana Jones. Let’s dive into his adventures.
Starting Out Small
In 1906, Andrews landed his first gig at the American Museum of Natural History, though not in the way you’re expecting. He was the janitor. Over the course of his 30-year journey with the institution, he would eventually work his way up to its director, but we’ve all got to start somewhere. Andrews apparently didn’t even mind the tedious work, he was just honored to be there.
Scientific Breakthroughs
Andrews’ first break into the scientific community was his expedition to Korea where he found the thought-to-be-extinct Gray Whale. But Andrews was just getting started.
He and his wife headed a team of explorers in Mongolia where they discovered fossilized dinosaur nests with eggs still in them, providing the first set of concrete proof that dinosaurs laid eggs.
Indiana Jones Parallels
Naturally, there are many parallels between Andrews and the fictional Indiana Jones, and it’s likely that Andrews was a core inspiration for much of the character’s profile. Both were mild-mannered academic professionals in their day jobs, who transformed into trailblazing explorers making discoveries of a lifetime, more than once.
Another parallel is that, like Indiana Jones, Andrews was petrified of snakes. His ophidiophobia came from an incident in Mongolia, in the aptly-named “viper camp,” where tens of snakes entered Andrews’ tent seeking warmth. That should do it.
A Life Well-Lived
Between being chased by wild dogs, falling off cliffs, and surviving typhoons, Andrews claimed to have cheated death around 10 times. After his decades of adventures, Andrews retired and lived the rest of his life in calmer waters with his family, but his legacy lives on in his memoirs and work.