Akeley remembered as pioneering explorer and conservationist

Mary Leonore Jobe Akeley was born Jan. 29, 1878, near Tappan in Harrison County. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Scio College and a master’s degree from Columbia University. While studying, she began a lifelong career of exploration and natural history investigation.

Her early work included exploring British Columbia in 1905. In 1916, she founded Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls in Connecticut. She married explorer Carl E. Akeley in 1924 and later completed an expedition to Africa after Carl died in the Belgian Congo in 1926.

Among her honors, Mount Jobe in Canada was named in recognition of her achievements, and Belgium awarded her the Cross of the Knight, Order of the Crown, for her work in the Belgian Congo. She made two additional trips to the Congo, including one at age 69.

Akeley was the author of seven books about her African adventures and was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 1979 and the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in 1994. She was listed in Who Was Who in America from 1961-68.

The Mary Jobe Akeley Trust and Peace Sanctuary was established in Mystic, Connecticut, and she made significant contributions to the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

“Whenever the crowds of children visit the African Hall of the Museum of Natural History, what they know of the African wilds, they know largely because of Mrs. Akeley — the woman who brought the jungle to Central Park East,” according to historical accounts.

Akeley died July 19, 1966. The internationally known explorer, mountain climber, author, lecturer, conservationist and educator was 88. She is buried beside her parents in Patterson Cemetery in Deersville. A historical marker at the entrance of the cemetery honors her legacy.

Photo and information courtesy of the Harrison County Historical Society.