Richard Greenwell
Encyclopedia
J. Richard Greenwell was a renowned cryptozoologist and explorer. During his lifetime he participated in many expeditions to look for mysterious creatures or cryptids. He served as the secretary for the International Society for Cryptozoology
from its inception to his death.
and stayed there for six years. He later travelled to Tucson, Arizona
, where he was appointed research coordinator for the Office of Arid Land Studies at the University of Arizona
.
, helped to found the International Society for Cryptozoology
. With funding from the society, he was able to travel the planet searching for elusive creatures such as Bigfoot
, the Onza
, and Mokele-mbembe
. He also journeyed to China
along with the anthropologist Frank Poirier to try to discover the Yeren
, a Chinese version of the Bigfoot. All of the expeditions, while unsuccessful, helped to keep awareness of mysterious creatures alive.
. He died on the evening of November 1, 2005 in Tucson, Arizona.
International Society for Cryptozoology
-History:The International Society of Cryptozoology was founded in 1982 in Washington, D.C. to serve as a scholarly center for documenting and evaluating evidence of unverified animals; that is, animal species or forms which have been reported in some manner but which have not been scientifically...
from its inception to his death.
Biography
Born in Surrey, England, Greenwell travelled to South AmericaSouth America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and stayed there for six years. He later travelled to Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, where he was appointed research coordinator for the Office of Arid Land Studies at the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
.
Cryptozoology and expeditions
In 1982, Greenwell, after a discussion with Roy MackalRoy Mackal
Roy P. Mackal is a retired University of Chicago biologist best known to the general public for his interest in the Loch Ness Monster and other cryptozoological entities.-Academic background:...
, helped to found the International Society for Cryptozoology
International Society for Cryptozoology
-History:The International Society of Cryptozoology was founded in 1982 in Washington, D.C. to serve as a scholarly center for documenting and evaluating evidence of unverified animals; that is, animal species or forms which have been reported in some manner but which have not been scientifically...
. With funding from the society, he was able to travel the planet searching for elusive creatures such as Bigfoot
Bigfoot
Bigfoot, also known as sasquatch, is an ape-like cryptid that purportedly inhabits forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid...
, the Onza
Onza
The Onza is a species of wild cat considered to be a legend and one of the numerous creatures studied by cryptozoology. The term onza can also refer to the jaguarundi . It is known as a type of cryptid....
, and Mokele-mbembe
Mokèlé-mbèmbé
Mokèlé-mbèmbé, meaning "one who stops the flow of rivers" in the Lingala language, is the name given to a large water-dwelling cryptid found in legends and folklore of the Congo River basin. It is sometimes described as a living creature and sometimes as a spirit. It could be considered loosely...
. He also journeyed to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
along with the anthropologist Frank Poirier to try to discover the Yeren
Yeren
The Yeren , variously referred to as the Yiren, Yeh Ren, Chinese Wildman, , or Man-Monkey, , is a legendary creature said to be an as yet undiscovered hominid residing in the remote mountainous forested regions of western Hubei....
, a Chinese version of the Bigfoot. All of the expeditions, while unsuccessful, helped to keep awareness of mysterious creatures alive.
Later life
Greenwell, until his death, continued in the search for cryptids. He wrote a column for BBC Wildlife Magazine for several years. He also appeared as a paid consultant on various documentaries covering the subject of cryptozoology. He lectured at many universities and museums, discussing his experiences. For the last several years of his life, Greenwell was a Research Associate at the International Wildlife Museum in Tucson, from where he ran the International Society for Cryptozoology. Greenwell participated on his last expedition in August 2005 searching for scientific proof of Bigfoot in the North Californian wilderness, even though he was in the last stages of cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. He died on the evening of November 1, 2005 in Tucson, Arizona.