1872

Marsh soon gained notoriety for his incredible fossil expeditions to the American West. From these new fossils he named such iconic dinosaurs as Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and Brontosaurus. Marsh’s friendship with fellow paleontologist Edward D. Cope of Philadelphia soon soured into a fierce competition, igniting the now-famous “Bone Wars”. Between them, Marsh and Cope named more than 140 new dinosaurs.

1866

In August 1856 aspiring freshman Othniel Charles Marsh (1831-1899) aced Yale’s admission exam. Inspired by the work of Yale’s first scientist Benjamin Silliman (1779-1864), Marsh was deeply interested in science and its interpretation of the world.

Following his graduation in 1862, Marsh began discussions with his uncle and international financier George Peabody for a donation to design and build a natural history museum at Yale. A deed of gift for $150,000 was handed to Marsh in 1866, marking the founding of Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History.

1866–1876

The site on the southwest corner of Elm and High streets was chosen for the Peabody Museum. Construction began in the summer of 1874 and was completed in 1876. The Museum opened to the public the same year. Although the architect’s original vision called for a large and imposing edifice, only one wing of the design was ever built.