The first dinosaur fossils were discovered in the early 19th century, with significant finds occurring in England. In 1824, the fossilized remains of a large dinosaur, later named Megalosaurus, were identified by paleontologist William Buckland. This marked the beginning of the scientific study of dinosaurs. Shortly after, in 1842, the term "dinosaur" was coined by Richard Owen to describe these ancient reptiles. Owen recognized that the fossils belonged to a distinct group of large, extinct animals. This discovery laid the foundation for the field of paleontology and our understanding of prehistoric life.