Paleontology's Pioneers: Marsh and Cope

This chapter explores the early lives and contrasting backgrounds of two major figures in paleontology, Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. It highlights how Marsh's privileged upbringing, aided by his wealthy uncle, shaped his educational opportunities, while Cope navigated academic challenges despite his eventual success. As their rivalry escalated during the Bone Wars, the chapter examines themes of ambition, betrayal, and the competing philosophies that defined their contentious relationship.