Bushman: Key Resources

Bushman the Gorilla lived at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago from 15 August 1930 until his death on 1 January 1951 at age 22. Once described as "the most outstanding animal of any zoo in the world and the most valuable," Bushman remains on display on the Ground Floor of The Field Museum. Articles referenced below describe the life of Bushman and his impact on millions of visitors to both the Lincoln Park Zoo and The Field Museum.

Field Museum Publications

• Dorfman, Ron. 1992. "Bushman's Baby Pictures." In the Field 63, no. 1 (Jan.-Feb.): 10-11.
• "Exhibits - Zoology." 1964. Described in the Annual Report to the Director of the Field Museum of Natural History : 58-59, 61.
• Metzler, Sally. 2007. Theatres of Nature: Dioramas at The Field Museum. Chicago: The Field Museum: 14.
• Miller, Marion Faulkner. 1987. "Bushman: A Sprucing Up. With a Memoir: Bushman and the Presbyterian Missionaries.' '" Field Museum of Natural History Bulletin 58, no. 2 (February): 6-25.
• Sanborn, Colin Campbell. 1952. "Zoo's Famous 'Bushman' Becomes Own Monument." In the Field  23, no. 1 (January): 6.

Zoology Collections

• Visit  the Zoology Collections page for more photos and description of the processing and taxidermy of Bushman. 

Library Holdings 

A vertical file of related articles is available to view by appointment:

• Arndt, Michael. 1986. "Bushman Still Looms Large in Memories of Chicagoans." Chicago Tribune, January 2.
• "Chicago's Famed Gorilla Dies in His Cage at 22." 1951. New York Times, January 2.
• Field Museum News Release. 1992. "Bushman: Chicago's Legendary Gorilla as He's Never been Seen Before." January 2.
• Shreuder, Cindy. 1997. "Bushman Comes to Chicago." Chicago Days: 150 Defining Moments in the Life of a Great City. Chicago: Catigny First Division Foundation. 
• Teets, John. 1989. "Bushman Lives - At Least at New Year's." Chicago Tribune, January 15.
• Tuomey, Timothy J. and Magdalene Wise Tuomey. 1980. "Bushman: The Superstar No One Has Ever Been Able to Ape." Chicago Tribune, October 18. 
• Tuomey, Timothy J. and Magdalene Wise Tuomey. 1985. "Bushman's Fans Still Going Ape over Legendary Gorilla." Chicago Tribune, August 16. 
• Watkins, Nancy. 2003. “Preserving a Legend.” Chicago Tribune Magazine, March 16.

©The Field Museum, GN79754, Photographer John Bayalis.

Boy and girl making faces at Bushman the Gorilla. 1963. Published in the Annual Report to the Director of the Field Museum of Natural History  (January 1964): 31.