Introduction

Mortimer Morris-Goodall is a name few recognize, yet his legacy quietly touches one of the greatest scientific stories of our time. As the father of Jane Goodall, he lived a life of ambition, risk, and influence. This article reveals who he was, what he did, and how his presence helped shape a young girl into a world-changing primatologist.

Early Life and Background

Mortimer Herbert Morris-Goodall was born in 1907 (some genealogical sources list 11 March 1907) in Hitchin, England. According to family trees, his parents included Reginald Goodall (or Goodall/Morris) in ancestral lines.

He rose in an era when British society valued both business acumen and adventurous spirit. From early adulthood he developed interests beyond conventional trade — especially in motorsport and cars.

Family, Parents, and Siblings

Mortimer married Margaret Myfanwe Joseph (who used the name “Vanne Morris-Goodall”) in London. They had at least two children: Jane (b. 1934) and Judy, her younger sister.

Over time, Mortimer and Vanne’s marriage underwent strain. After World War II, Mortimer requested a divorce in 1950. For Jane, that meant a father who would remain in memory, though somewhat distant.

Education

There is no reliable public record of Mortimer’s formal schooling or higher education. But his later pursuits and business standing suggest he was at least well-educated, versed in finance or management, and confident in public life and social circles.

Career or Profession

Mortimer Morris-Goodall exhibited a few distinctive public roles:

• Businessman & Inheritance
  Mortimer is described as a businessman. The Jane Goodall Institute’s “Extended Bio” notes that he was a businessman and that his resources contributed to the family’s stability.

• Motorsport & Racing
  Perhaps his most striking public pursuit was his involvement in motorsport. German and English sources report that Mortimer raced an Aston Martin (1½ litre) in endurance events such as Brooklands 1,000-mile races and even attempted Le Mans events in the early 1930s.

  In a 1932 event, he entered the Brooklands 1000-mile race, sharing a car with Charles Masters; mechanical failure prevented completion.  He also debuted in Le Mans under the Aston Martin works team connection.

  Later, Mortimer became involved as a motorsport official: he served as a team manager for Camoradi Maserati entries at Le Mans, replacing Taruffi at the Nürburgring in certain events.

• Founder / Club Leader
  Some sources credit him with founding or being involved in the Aston Martin Owners’ Club. This aligns with his deep ties to automotive culture and engineering circles.

His multi-faceted profile — businessman, racer, motorsport executive — gave him both social standing and a daring public persona.

Relationship or Personal Life

Mortimer and Vanne’s marriage had its tensions, especially after wartime separation. When Mortimer asked for a divorce in 1950, it changed the family’s dynamics.

He remained the father Jane referenced in her childhood stories: for example, Mortimer gave Jane a stuffed toy chimpanzee called “Jubilee”, which she kept throughout her life — a symbolic and emotional gift.

Though he lived to old age — passing in 2001 in Brighton (or in May 2001) per genealogical sources — he saw much of Jane’s path from a distance.

Net Worth

No credible public record offers a verified net worth for Mortimer Morris-Goodall. Given his business, motorsport investments, and likely inheritance or family assets, he may have held moderate to high wealth in his era. But exact numbers remain speculative and not reliably documented.

Interesting Facts

• Car Racing Pioneer: Mortimer is among the rare scientific father figures who raced in classic endurance events.

• Jubilee the Toy Chimp: His gift of “Jubilee” remains part of Jane Goodall lore — the toy was said to spark her lifelong connection to chimpanzees.

• Aston Martin Association: Mortimer’s motorsport career links him to early histories of Aston Martin, Brooklands, and Le Mans motorsport culture.

• Post-War Challenges: The postwar era’s strain on marriages is evident in his divorce, which left Jane and Judy with a changed family structure.

 

Social Media Presence

Mortimer Morris-Goodall died well before the age of social media. He has no digital presence. His legacy is preserved only through archival records, family stories, and mentions in Jane Goodall’s biographies.

Recent News or Updates

• After Jane Goodall’s death in October 2025, obituaries and retrospectives mention Mortimer’s motorsport background and his role in giving Jane that toy chimpanzee “Jubilee.”

• The Guardian obituary of Jane Goodall notes: “Mortimer remained with the business and motorsport life; in 1950 he asked Vanne for a divorce.”

• Motorsport history communities and classic car forums occasionally revisit Mortimer’s racing efforts, especially in discussions of early Aston Martin drivers.

 

Why Mortimer Morris-Goodall Matters

Mortimer Morris-Goodall’s legacy lies not only in car engines or business dealings, but in how he shaped the environment in which a remarkable scientist was raised. His daring in motorsport, his support of his daughter’s passions, and the iconic gift of Jubilee cement his place in Jane’s story. While he never achieved scientific fame himself, he is a figure who reminds us: sometimes the seeds of greatness lie behind the scenes, in the choices and passions of one’s lineage.

FAQ

Q: Who was Mortimer Morris-Goodall?
A: He was Jane Goodall’s father — a businessman, racing driver, and motorsport figure in England.

Q: When did he live?
A: Born in 1907, died in 2001 (May 2001 in Brighton, per genealogical sources).

Q: Did he race cars?
A: Yes — he competed in Brooklands 1,000-mile races, attempted Le Mans, and later managed racing entries.

Q: What was the “Jubilee” gift?
A: Mortimer gave young Jane a stuffed chimpanzee toy named Jubilee, a personal gift that became part of her lifelong story.

Q: Did he remain married to Jane’s mother?
A: No — in 1950, Mortimer requested a divorce from Vanne Morris-Goodall.

Q: Did he witness Jane’s scientific fame?
A: He lived until 2001, so he saw much of Jane’s early and mid-career achievements.