Dad of 2 Died Before a Dinosaur Was Discovered at His Workplace. Now the New Species Bears His Name

A newly discovered dinosaur species has been named after Will Proudlove, a passionate father of two who tragically passed away at the age of 35, just before the fossil was located at a brickworks he managed in Surrey, England. The announcement made by London’s Natural History Museum on 27 October brings a bittersweet joy to his family, as they celebrate the legacy of a man who loved dinosaurs.

The dinosaur, now known as Paludohadros proudlovii, was unearthed during excavations at the Ewhurst brick and roof tile works in Surrey in 2001, mere months after Proudlove’s death. Although the fossil lay in the museum’s collection for over two decades, recent research has confirmed it belongs to an entirely new genus and species.

“We were always aware of the potential for discoveries at the brickworks, and Will had a keen interest in what could be found as each layer of clay was removed,” shared Rachael Proudlove, Will’s wife. She recalls how Will often speculated about the prehistoric creatures that may have once roamed the area, and said the family is “absolutely overjoyed” to see his name immortalised in this new dinosaur species.

Proudlove worked his way to the managerial position at the brickworks, where he left behind a legacy that now will be intertwined with the fascinating world of paleontology. He is survived by Rachael and their two young children, Ellie and Matt, who fondly remember their father’s enthusiasm for dinosaurs.

The newly named Paludohadros proudlovii lived around 125 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous Period, a time when present-day southern England was a landscape filled with muddy wetlands. This herbivorous dinosaur is related to the Iguanodon and is notably expected to have grown to a length of around 16 feet and weighed between 1.5 and 2 tons—comparable to the size of a rhinoceros. The fossil found suggests that the specimen was still in its juvenile stages, hinting that a fully grown version could have potentially been much larger.

Excitingly, the fossil’s discovery also sheds light on the prehistoric environment in which the dinosaur lived. Its remains were located just 100 meters away from where fossils of Baryonyx, a significant carnivorous dinosaur, were found in 1983. According to Professor Susannah Maidment, a senior author of the study, while Baryonyx is frequently associated with fish consumption, this dinosaur’s last meal may have included a young iguanodontian. This connection underscores the perilous nature of life during the time; the two dinosaurs lived in close proximity, raising the possibility that they may have encountered one another.

For Ricardo Sacamoto, the lead researcher on the project, identifying a new dinosaur has been a significant milestone in his career. He recalls the moment he realised that he had stumbled upon a species that had never before been documented, a moment filled with exhilaration.

Yet, the implications of this discovery extend well beyond scientific achievement for the Proudlove family. Rachael Proudlove expressed profound gratitude for the recognition that her husband’s name will now forever be linked to the dinosaur, saying, “We feel incredibly honoured that Will’s name and legacy will live on through this dinosaur.”

The tale of Paludohadros proudlovii serves as a poignant reminder of the connections between the past and present—celebrating not only the natural history of our world but also the personal legacy of an individual who cherished the wonders of life long before dinosaurs were scientifically understood. In this way, Will Proudlove’s spirit continues to resonate through the ages, offering both solace and joy to those who remember him.