It isn't often that a person is memorialized in scientific journals and textbooks, but that is what is soon to happen to a former Pleasant Grove resident. George E. Wilson, now a resident of Greenbrae, California, was honored in a brief ceremony on July 6 at the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. His name was used as part of the scientific name for a recently discovered new species of dinosaur. Wilson was born at Garfield, Utah, but spent about ten years of his childhood in Pleasant Grove, and still claims it as a significant part of his heritage.
The dinosaur was discovered by a team of paleontologists working at the Bone Cabin Quarry West in Wyoming. Funding for the work which led to the discovery of the 14-foot-long rare dinosaur came from an anonymous donor who is identified on a plaque at the museum simply as "Skippy Mudskipper."
At first, paleontologists thought the dinosaur belonged to the genus and species known as Coelurus fragilis. Upon further extensive examination by a Denver paleontologist, it was determined that the skeletal remains were an entirely new species. Scientists estimate that the dinosaur lived in the late Jurassic Period, about 145 million years ago.
Whenever scientists discover a new type of animal or plant, they can name the new species. The Museum of Ancient Life scientists and their benefactor decided to name the dinosaur after their friend, George Wilson.
Harking back to his 30-year career in the Marine Corps, Wilson agreed to allow them to use his military monicker, "Topwilson." The genus to which the dinosaur belongs is Tanycolagreus, which means long-legged meat eater. Following scientific naming procedures, Wilson's name was Latinized to complete the new identification. The resulting name is Tanycolagreus topwilsoni.
The new dinosaur, while considerably smaller than the giant supersaurus specimen, is prominently displayed. The actual bones are enclosed in a glass case, while carefully constructed models are on display nearby.
Mr. Wilson's relatives traveled from California and many places in Utah to be with him for the naming festivities at the museum. The family met at the home of Ray and Pat Bone in Lehi for a picnic and to hear details of the discovery and naming of the "new" dinosaur.
This article was first published in the "New Utah!" Newspaper (August 1, 2001) and in "The Daily Herald" (August 4, 2001), the largest paper in Utah Valley based in Provo.
Copyright © 2002 Gary Bobzien. All rights reserved.