Final answer:
The scientific study of dinosaurs began in England during the 1820s when English naturalist William Buckland described the first scientifically valid dinosaur, kicking off the field of paleontology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scientific study of dinosaurs began in England during the 1820s. While dinosaurs roamed the Earth during the Mesozoic Era, which spanned from 245 to 65 million years ago, the formal study of these prehistoric creatures, known as paleontology, didn't start until after their fossils were properly recognized in the 19th century. In 1824, the English naturalist William Buckland described the first scientifically valid dinosaur, which he named Megalosaurus. This was soon followed by the work of another English geologist and paleontologist, Gideon Mantell, who named two other early dinosaur genera: Iguanodon in 1825 and Hylaeosaurus in 1833. This marks the beginning of paleontology as a scientific discipline in England.
The study of these ancient beasts unfolded against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, which was also a time of great scientific exploration and discovery. The term 'dinosaur' was eventually coined by Sir Richard Owen in 1842, reflecting the growing knowledge and interest in these extinct giants. The field has since evolved to incorporate advances in biology, geology, and technology to further understand the life and times of dinosaurs.