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Creatures, Myths & Legends

Zoologist was sacked for believing in the Loch Ness Monster

By T.K. Randall
January 2, 2022 · Comment icon 13 comments

Belief in the monster cost Dr. Tucker his career. Image Credit: Immanuel Giel
New documents have revealed the truth behind the sacking of Dr Denys Tucker from London's Natural History Museum.
Dr. Tucker had been a highly respected zoologist at the prestigious museum for years, but when he was unceremoniously sacked from his role as the museum's principal scientific officer in 1960, the precise explanation for his alleged 'insubordination' would remain a topic of speculation for more than 60 years.

Now though, newly released documents have finally confirmed that, despite his impressive academic achievements and reputation - Dr. Tucker had been removed from his position solely for the reason that he believed that the Loch Ness Monster was real.

Months before his sacking, he wrote about the monster in New Scientist magazine, prompting senior figures at the museum to express concerns about potential reputational damage.

"The trustees wish it to be known that they do not approve of the spending of official time or official leave on the so-called Loch Ness Phenomenon," a memo issued in 1959 reads.
"If, as a result of the activities of members of the staff, the museum is involved in undesirable publicity, [the trustees] will be gravely displeased.'"

Dr. Tucker was ultimately sacked on the basis of "continued, vexatious, insubordinate and generally offensive conduct towards the museum's director and other senior staff."

In reality, he had simply been attempting to secure funding in an effort to investigate the monster.

"I put the project up to the Natural History Museum," he was quoted as saying at the time. "The museum does send out expeditions to collect specimens. But they didn't like the idea of a Loch Ness expedition at all."

"They refused me leave to lecture on the subject. Since I was sacked, they have banned me from the library. I had an international reputation as a zoologist. Now I'm like a struck off lawyer."

Source: Mail Online | Comments (13)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #4 Posted by Abramelin 3 years ago
Of course thàt's what they would give as an excuse. Had they said it was because of his interest in Nessie, people would have been arguing about it up to the present. Ok, wait a minute...
Comment icon #5 Posted by MysteryMike 3 years ago
Being a fan of speculative evolution thanks to Cryptozoologicon, a book that depicts cryptids as real animals. I imagine Nessie if existing being a species of large eel.  
Comment icon #6 Posted by Noteverythingisaconspiracy 3 years ago
A headline that turns out to be misleading... I'm shocked ! 
Comment icon #7 Posted by Myles 3 years ago
Yep,  "sacked on the basis of "continued, vexatious, insubordinate and generally offensive conduct towards the museum's director and other senior staff." Sounds like they told him they would not fund Loch Ness monster endeavors and he started being a pain to work with and a bad employee.
Comment icon #8 Posted by Phil1684 3 years ago
  The most closed-minded people in the world are "scientists." 
Comment icon #9 Posted by Noteverythingisaconspiracy 3 years ago
Why do you put scientists in quotation marks ?
Comment icon #10 Posted by XenoFish 3 years ago
Guess that makes him a "Mad Scientist".
Comment icon #11 Posted by onlookerofmayhem 3 years ago
And some of the dumbest people in the world are "people who disparage an entire spectrum of other people as a whole entity instead of as individuals".
Comment icon #12 Posted by Abramelin 3 years ago
And thanks to them you are able to express your opinion worldwide, heh.
Comment icon #13 Posted by stereologist 3 years ago
Apparently you need to learn about science.


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