Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey (7 August 1903 – 1 October 1972), also known as
L. S. B. Leakey, was a Kenyan
paleoanthropologist and
archaeologist whose work was important in establishing
human evolutionary development in Africa, particularly through discoveries made at
Olduvai Gorge with his wife, fellow paleontologist
Mary Leakey. He also played a major role in creating organizations for future research in Africa and for protecting wildlife there. Having been a prime mover in establishing a tradition of
palaeoanthropological inquiry, he was able to motivate the next generation to continue it, notably within
his own family, many of whom also became prominent. Leakey participated in national events of
British East Africa and
Kenya during the 1950s.