Lost letter by man who named the dinosaur unveiled

A 19th-century letter signed by Sir Richard Owen, the scientist who first coined the term 'Dinosauria' in 1842, has resurfaced and will be showcased at Exotic Zoo’s Telford Natural History Museum from June 6. The letter, found in a Victorian book of autographs, highlights Owen’s efforts to gather fossilized bone samples for study, shaping early paleontological research. The rediscovered correspondence underscores Owen’s significance in classifying dinosaurs as a distinct group and his role in founding London’s Natural History Museum. The letter also reflects his collaborative network of fellow paleontologists who supplied specimens for analysis. Owen, who lived from 1804 to 1892, was a contemporary of Charles Darwin and authored an anonymous, critical review of Darwin’s *On the Origin of Species* in 1860. The letter was acquired by Exotic Zoo through a London-based company specializing in rare books. Zoo director Scott Adams described the discovery as 'mind-blowing,' noting that such letters were often preserved in autograph books during Victorian times. The exhibition will serve as the centerpiece of the zoo’s two-day Telford Fossil Festival, running June 6–7, featuring talks by paleontologists and live fossil-related activities. Visitors will also view the restoration of a 4-meter-long mosasaur skeleton in the zoo’s fossil preparation library, overseen by in-house paleontologist Tom Moncrieffe. The festival aims to engage the public with early paleontology through Owen’s historical contributions and interactive displays.