Rivalry in Paleontology: Marsh and Cope

This chapter explores the intense rivalry between paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope during the Bone Wars. It examines their contrasting backgrounds, educational paths, and evolving relationship from friendly colleagues to fierce competitors, as well as how their differing approaches to science and ethics shaped their careers. The narrative highlights themes of privilege, personal ambition, and the complexities of professional rivalry in the mid-19th century.