Captivated by dinosaurs

The man who coined the word “dinosaur,” Sir Richard Owen, campaigned for a “national museum of natural wonders.” Two hundred years after his birth, this founder of the Natural History Museum is being celebrated in London with a special display and self-guided trail (through Oct. 24, 2004).

On display will be specimens which have not been seen by the public for 50 years and some of Owen’s first descriptions of extinct animals, made from the evidence of fossils. Open daily. Admission is free. Call the museum (Cromwell Rd., London SW7 5BD, U.K.) at 020 7942 5000 or visit www.nhm.ac.uk.