I have long admired people whose lives weave together quiet determination and bold adventure. Carol Morse Cotsworth captured my attention through her unwavering commitment to wildlife and her role as a steady family anchor. Born on May 25 1917 in St. Paul Minnesota she grew up surrounded by the values of curiosity and care. Her story unfolds like a vast savanna revealing hidden paths of influence that stretched across decades and continents.
Early Life and Family Beginnings
Carol Morse Cotsworth graduated from the University of Minnesota after which she taught kindergarten for a short period. Those early classroom days planted seeds of patience and education that later bloomed in her conservation work. Her parents Frederick Jacob Morse and Alice Von Deyn Morse provided a stable foundation in St. Paul. They instilled in her a respect for nature and community that guided her choices.
Life took an early turn when she married John Cotsworth a steel salesman. The couple welcomed three children during the 1940s and 1950s. Their family home echoed with the sounds of growing kids and shared meals. Yet the marriage ended in divorce in 1959. Even then Carol maintained focus on raising her children with strength and love.
Personal Relationships and Family Life
Her second chapter began on August 13 1960 when she married Dr. R. Marlin Perkins in Chicago Illinois. This union merged two passionate lives. Marlin the renowned zoologist and host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom brought her into a whirlwind of expeditions. Together they traveled to Africa Australia Nepal India and the Himalayas. No children came from this marriage but their partnership amplified each other’s impact.
Carol Morse Cotsworth raised her three children from the first marriage while embracing Marlin’s stepdaughter Suzanne Perkins born around 1937 who lived in Berkeley California. The blended family navigated fame and travel with grace. I see their bonds as sturdy roots holding firm amid life’s storms.
Here is a table outlining her closest family members and key details:
| Family Member | Relation | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Frederick Jacob Morse | Father | Resident of St. Paul Minnesota |
| Alice Von Deyn Morse | Mother | Provided early values of community |
| John Cotsworth | First husband | Steel salesman divorced 1959 |
| Fred Cotsworth | Son | Lives in Clayton Missouri associated with finance |
| Marguerite Cotsworth | Daughter | Later married Robert Garrick Clayton Missouri |
| Alice Cotsworth | Daughter | Married Ren Goltra Lake Forest Illinois |
| Suzanne Perkins | Stepdaughter | Born around 1937 Berkeley California |
| Dr. R. Marlin Perkins | Second husband | Married 1960 died June 14 1986 |
The family expanded to include seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren though specific names remain private. Carol supported their paths while pursuing her own calling. Family gatherings often celebrated conservation milestones. Her children Fred Marguerite and Alice attended events tied to her work showing ongoing connection.
Professional Path and Notable Achievements
Carol Morse Cotsworth stepped into public roles after her 1960 marriage. She co authored four books that brought distant worlds closer. In 1966 she and Marlin published I Saw You from Afar about the Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert. Later titles explored Australian Aborigines Louis and Mary Leakeys African research and a St. Louis Zoo chimpanzee named Little Pierre. These works served as windows into remote cultures and wildlife.
From the mid 1970s she spent five years as a conservation commentator on KSDK TV Channel 5 in St. Louis. Viewers heard her discuss recycling endangered species and habitat protection. Her on screen presence combined warmth with urgency. She organized the first national symposium on North American endangered wildlife in 1974 and followed with another in 1977. These events drew experts and sparked action.
Conservation Efforts and Lasting Impact
Near Eureka, Missouri, Carol founded the Endangered Wolf Center, formerly the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center, in 1971 Her efforts helped red and Mexican gray wolves recover. Statistics show how the center grew from a small start to a species restoration leader.
She co-founded the House Springs, Missouri, no-kill shelter Open Door Animal Sanctuary in 1975. This sanctuary has protected thousands of animals for decades. Carol founded the St. Louis Explorers Club and eventually became Chairman Emerita.
Personal health issues shaped her. She survived malignant melanoma in 1974 and served on the American Cancer Society national board for nearly a decade. She was named Volunteer of the Year and spoke at Marlin fundraisers. She raised awareness nationwide and saved lives.
Carol received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Omaha’s College of St. Mary and the Missouri Daughters of the American Revolution’s 1991 Conservation Medal. Her Ladies Home Journal Woman of the Year nomination impressed many. Her St. Louis Zoo efforts includes recommending Charlie Hoessle as director.
Her dedication set others on a path to safeguard wild places. Her lectures across the country were inspired by Marlin expeditions to Sikkim and beyond.
A Timeline of Significant Dates and Events
1917: Born on May 25 in St. Paul Minnesota.
Late 1930s to early 1940s: Graduates University of Minnesota and teaches kindergarten.
1940s to 1950s: Marries John Cotsworth and has three children.
1959: Divorce from first husband.
1960: Marries Marlin Perkins on August 13.
1962: Moves to St. Louis as Marlin becomes zoo director.
1966: Publishes first book I Saw You from Afar.
1971: Co founds Endangered Wolf Center.
1974: Diagnosed with melanoma begins American Cancer Society board service and organizes first symposium.
1975: Helps start Open Door Animal Sanctuary.
Mid to late 1970s: Serves five years as TV conservation commentator.
1977: Holds second national endangered wildlife symposium.
1986: Marlin Perkins dies on June 14 in Clayton Missouri.
1991: Receives Missouri D.A.R. Conservation Medal.
2012: Passes away on October 20 in Clayton Missouri at age 95.
These dates mark a life of steady progress and bold steps.
FAQ
How many children did Carol Morse Cotsworth raise?
Carol Morse Cotsworth had three children from her first marriage. She also welcomed a stepdaughter into the family creating a household of four young people under her care.
What major organizations did she establish or support?
She co founded the Endangered Wolf Center in 1971 and the Open Door Animal Sanctuary in 1975. Additionally she launched the St. Louis chapter of the Explorers Club and served on the American Cancer Society national board.
Who was her second husband and what was his profession?
Her second husband was Dr. R. Marlin Perkins a prominent zoologist who directed zoos in Buffalo Chicago and St. Louis. He hosted Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and shared many expeditions with Carol.
Which books did Carol Morse Cotsworth author?
She co authored I Saw You from Afar in 1966. Her other works include The Sound of Boomerangs Returning The Shattered Skull and Little Pierre. These titles cover global wildlife and cultural stories.
What role did her family play in her conservation legacy?
Her children Fred Marguerite and Alice attended key events and supported causes like the Endangered Wolf Center. The broader family including seven grandchildren contributed through donations and continued involvement in related organizations after her passing.
