Mary Anning grew up poor in Lyme Regis, hunting fossils on the crumbling cliffs to sell to tourists. At around 12, she and her brother uncovered the first ichthyosaur skeleton to be properly recognised. Later she found the first complete plesiosaur and the first pterosaur found outside Germany. Scientists bought her finds and built careers on them, often without crediting her. As a working class woman she couldn't join the Geological Society, but the men who could came to her for answers.
Mary Anning
Fossil Hunter
EXTRA-ORDINARY TRAIT
CURIOSITY
JFDI PILLAR
I — INSTINCT
COUNTRY & REGION
England (UK & Ireland)
LIFESPAN
1799 – 1847
GENDER
Woman
EDITION
No.015
✦ DEFINING MOMENT
On the storm battered beach at Lyme Regis, hammer in hand, uncovering a giant fossil skeleton.
✦ ARCHIVAL DOSSIER
The Story
✦ VERIFIED QUOTE
“The world has used me so unkindly, I fear it has made me suspicious of everyone." Check source)”
✦ DID YOU KNOW?
The tongue twister "She sells seashells on the seashore" is often said to be about her.
✦ YOUR TURN
What would you chase with no one watching and no one giving credit?
COLLECTIBLE EDITIONS
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