A 19th-century woman in a long green cloak and bonnet stands with a walking stick and a woven bag, with a small black-and-white cat curled up at her feet. The historical attire, rustic accessories, and feline companion evoke a rural or working-class setting, symbolizing simplicity and traditional lifestyle.
A 19th-century woman in a long green cloak and bonnet stands with a walking stick and a woven bag, with a small black-and-white cat curled up at her feet. The historical attire, rustic accessories, and feline companion evoke a rural or working-class setting, symbolizing simplicity and traditional lifestyle.

Mary Anning

Historical

Historical

May 21, 1799

-

Mar 9, 1847

A 19th-century woman in a long green cloak and bonnet stands with a walking stick and a woven bag, with a small black-and-white cat curled up at her feet. The historical attire, rustic accessories, and feline companion evoke a rural or working-class setting, symbolizing simplicity and traditional lifestyle.

Mary Anning

Historical

Historical

May 21, 1799

-

Mar 9, 1847

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Mary Anning, born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, Dorset, is one of the early nineteenth century's most critical yet little-known paleontologists. Best known for her work locating Jurassic fossils, such as the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton and important plesiosaur and pterosaur fossils, she provided valuable contributions to the scientific community regarding prehistoric life. Her discoveries were the first to suggest that species that inhabited the Earth were very different from those that are present today. These discoveries, however revolutionary, were often associated with men in the scientific fraternity mainly because Anning was a woman.

Anning’s childhood was not the best; she struggled a lot in the early years. She was the fourth child in a family of ten; only she and her brother Joseph lived to adulthood. Her father, Richard Anning, a cabinet maker, had to support his family and also earned a few pennies by collecting fossils from the cliffs at Lyme Regis. He also taught the children this. Anning’s first significant discovery came at the age of 12 when she found the skeleton of an ichthyosaur, which brought her some fame but remained poor all her life.

Anning received no formal education and managed to learn geology, anatomy, and paleontology by herself. Soon, she became a professional fossil collector and dealer and was in great demand among the leading geologists in Great Britain and other parts of the world. Nevertheless, she was not allowed to join any scientific societies because women were not admitted. She worked hard in a man’s world and was appreciated by Henry De la Beche and William Buckland. Nevertheless, her work was not well cited in scientific journals during her lifetime.

Anning’s paleontology work changed how scientists thought about extinction and life in the prehistoric world. Her findings on marine reptiles helped shape concepts of the Earth's history. Although she passed away in 1847, she is now considered one of the most significant fossil hunters of the nineteenth century. She inspired many generations of scientists with her professionalism and devotion to the work.

Quotes

"She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore." – A famous tongue-twister inspired by Mary Anning’s fossil-selling.

"The carpenter's daughter has won a name for herself, and has deserved to win it."

"I cannot close this notice...without adverting to that of one, who though not placed among even the easier classes of society...contributed by her talents and untiring researches..."

"The greatest fossilist the world ever knew."

"Her usefulness in furthering the science of geology, as also of her benevolence of heart and integrity of life."

"Contributed in no small degree to our knowledge of the great Enalio-Saurians."

"Anning...played a key role in understanding prehistoric life."

"She died as she lived, brave, modest, and greatly esteemed."

"The fossils that Mary Anning found were eagerly sought by museums and scientists."

"She was never invited to become a member of the Geological Society."

"Her knowledge of anatomy impressed even the leading scientists of her time."

"Mary Anning found herself at the forefront of a scientific revolution."

"One of the most important yet unsung women in the history of science."

"She changed the way scientists thought about the natural world."

"Her contribution to geology was immense and continues to inspire."

FAQ

What was the contribution of Mary Anning?

She found the first complete skeleton of ichthyosaur and later the first plesiosaur and pterosaur fossils.

Why is Mary Anning significant to the field of paleontology?

Her work in paleontology helped establish the theory of extinction and the existence of prehistoric life and informed the scientific community’s understanding of Earth’s history.

What did Mary Anning know about fossils?

Anning was taught the art of fossil hunting by her father, Richard, who used to collect fossils to sell and earn a living. Later in life, she also educated herself on geology and anatomy.

What problems did Mary Anning encounter?

Anning was a woman, and at that time, women were not allowed in scientific societies. Often, the discoveries made by women were not recognized. She also had to face many financial problems and was not a very rich woman.

What can be said to be the most famous discovery of Anning?

Her most well-known find is the first complete set of an ichthyosaur when she was 12.

In what way did Mary Anning help develop the concept of extinction?

Even though Anning was not admitted to the scientific societies during her lifetime, the geologists appreciated her, and a stained glass window was later installed in her memory.

Did Mary Anning ever get her work due?

Even though Anning was not admitted to the scientific societies during her lifetime, the geologists appreciated her, and a stained glass window was later installed in her memory.

What part did Mary Anning have in the identification of coprolites?

She was the first to identify bezoar stones as the dinosaurs' faeces, which helped study prehistoric environments.

Did Mary Anning have any scientific publications?

She contributed only one extract from a letter to the Magazine of Natural History in 1839 in which she disputed the assertion made in the publication.

She contributed only one extract from a letter to the Magazine of Natural History in 1839 in which she disputed the assertion made in the publication.

Her work can be considered the foundation stone of modern paleontology, and she is still an inspiration for women and scientists today.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Mary Anning, born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, Dorset, is one of the early nineteenth century's most critical yet little-known paleontologists. Best known for her work locating Jurassic fossils, such as the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton and important plesiosaur and pterosaur fossils, she provided valuable contributions to the scientific community regarding prehistoric life. Her discoveries were the first to suggest that species that inhabited the Earth were very different from those that are present today. These discoveries, however revolutionary, were often associated with men in the scientific fraternity mainly because Anning was a woman.

Anning’s childhood was not the best; she struggled a lot in the early years. She was the fourth child in a family of ten; only she and her brother Joseph lived to adulthood. Her father, Richard Anning, a cabinet maker, had to support his family and also earned a few pennies by collecting fossils from the cliffs at Lyme Regis. He also taught the children this. Anning’s first significant discovery came at the age of 12 when she found the skeleton of an ichthyosaur, which brought her some fame but remained poor all her life.

Anning received no formal education and managed to learn geology, anatomy, and paleontology by herself. Soon, she became a professional fossil collector and dealer and was in great demand among the leading geologists in Great Britain and other parts of the world. Nevertheless, she was not allowed to join any scientific societies because women were not admitted. She worked hard in a man’s world and was appreciated by Henry De la Beche and William Buckland. Nevertheless, her work was not well cited in scientific journals during her lifetime.

Anning’s paleontology work changed how scientists thought about extinction and life in the prehistoric world. Her findings on marine reptiles helped shape concepts of the Earth's history. Although she passed away in 1847, she is now considered one of the most significant fossil hunters of the nineteenth century. She inspired many generations of scientists with her professionalism and devotion to the work.

Quotes

"She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore." – A famous tongue-twister inspired by Mary Anning’s fossil-selling.

"The carpenter's daughter has won a name for herself, and has deserved to win it."

"I cannot close this notice...without adverting to that of one, who though not placed among even the easier classes of society...contributed by her talents and untiring researches..."

"The greatest fossilist the world ever knew."

"Her usefulness in furthering the science of geology, as also of her benevolence of heart and integrity of life."

"Contributed in no small degree to our knowledge of the great Enalio-Saurians."

"Anning...played a key role in understanding prehistoric life."

"She died as she lived, brave, modest, and greatly esteemed."

"The fossils that Mary Anning found were eagerly sought by museums and scientists."

"She was never invited to become a member of the Geological Society."

"Her knowledge of anatomy impressed even the leading scientists of her time."

"Mary Anning found herself at the forefront of a scientific revolution."

"One of the most important yet unsung women in the history of science."

"She changed the way scientists thought about the natural world."

"Her contribution to geology was immense and continues to inspire."

FAQ

What was the contribution of Mary Anning?

She found the first complete skeleton of ichthyosaur and later the first plesiosaur and pterosaur fossils.

Why is Mary Anning significant to the field of paleontology?

Her work in paleontology helped establish the theory of extinction and the existence of prehistoric life and informed the scientific community’s understanding of Earth’s history.

What did Mary Anning know about fossils?

Anning was taught the art of fossil hunting by her father, Richard, who used to collect fossils to sell and earn a living. Later in life, she also educated herself on geology and anatomy.

What problems did Mary Anning encounter?

Anning was a woman, and at that time, women were not allowed in scientific societies. Often, the discoveries made by women were not recognized. She also had to face many financial problems and was not a very rich woman.

What can be said to be the most famous discovery of Anning?

Her most well-known find is the first complete set of an ichthyosaur when she was 12.

In what way did Mary Anning help develop the concept of extinction?

Even though Anning was not admitted to the scientific societies during her lifetime, the geologists appreciated her, and a stained glass window was later installed in her memory.

Did Mary Anning ever get her work due?

Even though Anning was not admitted to the scientific societies during her lifetime, the geologists appreciated her, and a stained glass window was later installed in her memory.

What part did Mary Anning have in the identification of coprolites?

She was the first to identify bezoar stones as the dinosaurs' faeces, which helped study prehistoric environments.

Did Mary Anning have any scientific publications?

She contributed only one extract from a letter to the Magazine of Natural History in 1839 in which she disputed the assertion made in the publication.

She contributed only one extract from a letter to the Magazine of Natural History in 1839 in which she disputed the assertion made in the publication.

Her work can be considered the foundation stone of modern paleontology, and she is still an inspiration for women and scientists today.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Mary Anning, born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, Dorset, is one of the early nineteenth century's most critical yet little-known paleontologists. Best known for her work locating Jurassic fossils, such as the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton and important plesiosaur and pterosaur fossils, she provided valuable contributions to the scientific community regarding prehistoric life. Her discoveries were the first to suggest that species that inhabited the Earth were very different from those that are present today. These discoveries, however revolutionary, were often associated with men in the scientific fraternity mainly because Anning was a woman.

Anning’s childhood was not the best; she struggled a lot in the early years. She was the fourth child in a family of ten; only she and her brother Joseph lived to adulthood. Her father, Richard Anning, a cabinet maker, had to support his family and also earned a few pennies by collecting fossils from the cliffs at Lyme Regis. He also taught the children this. Anning’s first significant discovery came at the age of 12 when she found the skeleton of an ichthyosaur, which brought her some fame but remained poor all her life.

Anning received no formal education and managed to learn geology, anatomy, and paleontology by herself. Soon, she became a professional fossil collector and dealer and was in great demand among the leading geologists in Great Britain and other parts of the world. Nevertheless, she was not allowed to join any scientific societies because women were not admitted. She worked hard in a man’s world and was appreciated by Henry De la Beche and William Buckland. Nevertheless, her work was not well cited in scientific journals during her lifetime.

Anning’s paleontology work changed how scientists thought about extinction and life in the prehistoric world. Her findings on marine reptiles helped shape concepts of the Earth's history. Although she passed away in 1847, she is now considered one of the most significant fossil hunters of the nineteenth century. She inspired many generations of scientists with her professionalism and devotion to the work.

Quotes

"She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore." – A famous tongue-twister inspired by Mary Anning’s fossil-selling.

"The carpenter's daughter has won a name for herself, and has deserved to win it."

"I cannot close this notice...without adverting to that of one, who though not placed among even the easier classes of society...contributed by her talents and untiring researches..."

"The greatest fossilist the world ever knew."

"Her usefulness in furthering the science of geology, as also of her benevolence of heart and integrity of life."

"Contributed in no small degree to our knowledge of the great Enalio-Saurians."

"Anning...played a key role in understanding prehistoric life."

"She died as she lived, brave, modest, and greatly esteemed."

"The fossils that Mary Anning found were eagerly sought by museums and scientists."

"She was never invited to become a member of the Geological Society."

"Her knowledge of anatomy impressed even the leading scientists of her time."

"Mary Anning found herself at the forefront of a scientific revolution."

"One of the most important yet unsung women in the history of science."

"She changed the way scientists thought about the natural world."

"Her contribution to geology was immense and continues to inspire."

FAQ

What was the contribution of Mary Anning?

She found the first complete skeleton of ichthyosaur and later the first plesiosaur and pterosaur fossils.

Why is Mary Anning significant to the field of paleontology?

Her work in paleontology helped establish the theory of extinction and the existence of prehistoric life and informed the scientific community’s understanding of Earth’s history.

What did Mary Anning know about fossils?

Anning was taught the art of fossil hunting by her father, Richard, who used to collect fossils to sell and earn a living. Later in life, she also educated herself on geology and anatomy.

What problems did Mary Anning encounter?

Anning was a woman, and at that time, women were not allowed in scientific societies. Often, the discoveries made by women were not recognized. She also had to face many financial problems and was not a very rich woman.

What can be said to be the most famous discovery of Anning?

Her most well-known find is the first complete set of an ichthyosaur when she was 12.

In what way did Mary Anning help develop the concept of extinction?

Even though Anning was not admitted to the scientific societies during her lifetime, the geologists appreciated her, and a stained glass window was later installed in her memory.

Did Mary Anning ever get her work due?

Even though Anning was not admitted to the scientific societies during her lifetime, the geologists appreciated her, and a stained glass window was later installed in her memory.

What part did Mary Anning have in the identification of coprolites?

She was the first to identify bezoar stones as the dinosaurs' faeces, which helped study prehistoric environments.

Did Mary Anning have any scientific publications?

She contributed only one extract from a letter to the Magazine of Natural History in 1839 in which she disputed the assertion made in the publication.

She contributed only one extract from a letter to the Magazine of Natural History in 1839 in which she disputed the assertion made in the publication.

Her work can be considered the foundation stone of modern paleontology, and she is still an inspiration for women and scientists today.

Life and achievements

Early life

Mary Anning was born in 1799 into a family of low status in Lyme Regis, Dorset, a region geologically formed during the Jurassic period and full of fossils of marine creatures. Her father, Richard, was a cabinet maker and a part-time fossil collector; he got Mary and her brother Joseph into it. Although the Annings were poor and illiterate, the fossils they discovered became their source of income after Richard died in 1810.

Mary’s father and her brother used to take her with them for fossil hunting when she was a child, which helped her acquire a good sense of identifying fossils in the cliffs. Her first significant discovery was made at twelve: the skeleton of an ichthyosaur. This discovery at least gave the family some fame, but it did not solve their financial problems. Nevertheless, her work would still attract the attention of some of the leading geologists, thus heralding her lifelong commitment to paleontology.

Anning worked in the 19th century, when women were not allowed to join most scientific societies, and their work was not taken seriously. She learned the basics of anatomy and geology from scientific articles and studying animal and plant bones. Her hard work and dedication did not go in vain, and she kept discovering more fossils, which helped her develop the new science of paleontology.

Legacy

Mary Anning was a paleontology who worked during the early nineteenth century. Her story is one of hard work and discovery. Despite being a woman who did not receive much recognition during her lifetime, her work was vital in the early stages of paleontology. Her discoveries of ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and other prehistoric creatures revolutionized scientific thinking about the Earth’s history and evolution. They proved the theory of species extinction and the existence of life in the prehistoric era.

Anning’s work played an essential role in the development of Darwin’s theory of evolution because the fossils she collected showed no longer existing species, which supported the theory of extinction. Although Anning was not given any official title during her lifetime, and this was partly because of her gender, she was respected by many of the leading scientists of her day, such as Henry De la Beche and William Buckland, who sought her advice on matters relating to fossils.

Anning is now recognized as one of the most influential figures in paleontology, and her life has been the subject of books, films and academic research. In Lyme Regis, the town she was born in, there is a museum in her name, and her achievements are remembered through celebrations such as the stained glass window at St. Michael’s Church. Anning’s story is still a source of inspiration for young scientists, especially for women, who can see in her an example of a strong and curious woman who overcame all the obstacles put in front of her.

Come build your legacy!

Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
Learn more ->

Powered by

Come build your legacy!

Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
Learn more ->

Powered by

Come build your legacy!

Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
Learn more ->

Powered by

Milestone moments

May 21, 1799

Birth of Mary Anning
Mary Anning was born in Lyme Regis, England, to a family of laborers.
Her father, a cabinet maker, took her out to look for fossils, and this activity led her to become one of the first women fossil collectors and paleontologists.

Feb 20, 1811

First Major Discovery: Ichthyosaur
Anning began her paleontological career at 12 when she found the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton.
This finding attracted much attention and started to build her recognition in the scientific community.

Jul 6, 1823

The First Plesiosaur Finding
Anning also found the first complete plesiosaur skeleton, another significant achievement.
At first, her discovery was met with much doubt, especially from scientists such as Georges Cuvier, but it was later validated, and she became a prominent palaeontologist.

Jul 25, 1830

Acknowledgement by Henry De la Beche
Geologist Henry De la Beche, a personal acquaintance, produced Duria Antiquior, the first effort at depicting prehistoric life from the vantage point of paleontology.
The painting was mainly based on Anning's discoveries and sold to help Anning's financial situation when she was in poor condition.

Join the waitlist

Follow our journey as we build Confinity and be first to get early access to our platform.

Join the waitlist

Follow our journey as we build Confinity and be first to get early access to our platform.

Join the waitlist

Follow our journey as we build Confinity and be first to get early access to our platform.