Alan J. Charig; Paleontologist Revived Interest in Dinosaurs

Alan J. Charig, 70, British paleontologist who rekindled interest in dinosaurs two decades ago. Charig, the curator of fossil reptiles and birds at the Museum of Natural History in London, was host of the 10-part BBC television series “Before the Ark” in 1974. He also published a book, “A New Look at the Dinosaurs,” in 1979. A Times reviewer called the book a “comprehensive and well-illustrated look at these prehistoric beasties.” The television series and book sparked the public’s interest in dinosaurs, which has since blossomed into a major commercial category of motion pictures, television shows and books and games for children. Charig joined the British Museum of Natural History in 1957 and became its principal scientific officer in 1964. His research efforts at the museum and on expeditions around the world concentrated on dinosaurs and their Triassic period ancestors. Charig officially retired from the museum in 1987, but continued to do research there and travel widely. On July 15 in Oxted, England, of a stroke.