Walter Georg Kühne

Walter Georg Kühne (Berlin, February 26, 1911-March 16, 1991) was a German paleontologist, known as a "legendary explorer of Mesozoic mammals". In 1958 he founded the Berlin Institute for Paleontology of the Free University of Berlin. His studies focused specifically on mesozoic microfauna, seeking to bring to light the history of the oldest mammals, which until the 1960s was almost unknown. Before him, findings of species of small size in the continental Mesozoic deposits had been mostly random. His efforts were concentrated more in excavations in lignite mines which he considered as preferred deposits for the remains of terrestrial vertebrates. Thanks to his efforts new species could be described that were interpreted as the most primitive mammals as Morganucodon and Kuehneotherium, as well the "mammal-like reptile" Oligokyphus. He was the first to discover the immense paleontological heritage of the famous Guimarrota lignite mine in Portugal to start methodological, accurate excavations in the area. "[A. W.] Crompton tells the story of a German refugee named Walter Kuhne, who at the start of World War II walked into Cambridge University with teeth from a borderline mammal. 'I know where to discover early mammals,' he told British paleontologist F.R. Parrington. Parrington was impressed enough to offer him £5 (about $35 then) for every additional tooth he brought to the university."