Sue Hendrickson American scientist, paleontologist Date of Birth: 02.12.1949 Country: USA

1. Birth and Influences
2. Childhood and Education
3. Diving and Underwater Exploration
4. Career in Underwater Archaeology
5. Amber Mining and Paleontology
6. Discovery of the Tyrannosaurus Rex
7. Marine Archaeology with Frank Goddio
8. Later Life and Legacy

Birth and Influences

Susan Hendrickson was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Lee and Mary Hendrickson. The family later relocated to nearby Munster, Indiana, which became Susan's true childhood home. Her father worked as a railroad purchasing agent, while her mother was an employee of American Airlines.

Childhood and Education

Susan began attending school in 1955, where her academic prowess and good behavior were noted by her teachers. However, she quickly grew bored with the local school and convinced her parents to send her to live with an aunt in Florida at the age of 16. There, she continued her education but did not complete it, as she was a rebellious and adventurous teenager.

Diving and Underwater Exploration

At 17, Susan dropped out of high school and traveled across the country with a boyfriend. She eventually settled in Florida, where her diving skills earned her a job with two professional divers who operated an aquarium fish company. Susan became an expert diver and began collecting tropical fish in the Florida Keys. She also briefly worked as a lobster fisher and volunteered at paleontological digs.

Career in Underwater Archaeology

Susan eventually moved to Seattle, where she finally completed high school. She initially considered studying marine biology at the University of Washington but later changed her mind and returned to Florida to pursue underwater exploration. By 1963, Susan had accumulated a substantial network of friends in the diving industry. She was invited on an expedition to the Florida Keys to retrieve construction materials from a sunken freighter. While this type of salvage operation initially appealed to her, Susan later shifted her focus to more ancient ships and became closely involved with archaeologists.

Amber Mining and Paleontology

Susan's new hunting grounds became the Dominican Republic. By the mid-1980s, she had established herself as an expert on the local mountains and discovered three exceptionally preserved butterflies dating back 23 million years, which currently represent half of the world's collection. Alongside her work, which could sometimes be tedious, Susan studied paleoentomology, becoming an expert on ancient insects.

Discovery of the Tyrannosaurus Rex

On August 12, 1990, Susan Hendrickson made her most famous discovery. While exploring the Badlands of South Dakota, she uncovered a remarkably large, complete, and well-preserved skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The skeleton was later named "Sue" in her honor and is currently on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Marine Archaeology with Frank Goddio

In 1992, Susan joined a team of marine archaeologists led by Franck Goddio. With them, she participated in expeditions to the royal quarters of Cleopatra and the wreck of Napoleon Bonaparte's fleet that fled the Battle of the Nile.

Later Life and Legacy

Susan Hendrickson currently resides on the island of Guanaja, off the coast of Honduras. She continues to pursue her passion for exploration and research, leaving an indelible mark on the fields of paleontology and marine archaeology.