14 interesting facts about Mary Anning

Mary Anning was a famous 19th century fossil hunter and paleontologist. Her discoveries made a significant contribution to the field of paleontology and changed our understanding of the ancient world. Here are some interesting facts about Mary Anning:

1. Mary Anning was born on May 21, 1799, in Lyme Regis, England.
2. She was born into a poor family and her father was a cabinetmaker who also sold fossils.
3. Mary’s interest in fossils began at a young age when she and her brother collected fossils along the beaches of Lyme Regis.
4. She made her first significant discovery in 1811, at the age of just 12, when she found the first complete Ichthyosaur skeleton.
5. Mary went on to discover several other important fossils, including the first complete Plesiosaur skeleton and the first example of a Belemnite.
6. Her discoveries challenged prevailing ideas about the ancient world and helped to advance the field of paleontology.
7. Despite her contributions to science, Mary Anning was not recognized for her work during her lifetime, due to her gender and social status.
8. Mary Anning was self-taught, and her lack of formal education was seen as a disadvantage in a field dominated by wealthy and educated men.
9. Despite this, Mary was respected by many scientists and collectors, and she corresponded with several prominent paleontologists of her time.
10. Mary Anning passed away on March 9, 1847, at the age of 47, but her contributions to science have continued to be recognized.
11. Mary Anning has been referred to as the “greatest fossilist the world ever knew” and is regarded as one of the pioneers of paleontology.
12. Her discoveries can be seen in several museums around the world, including the Natural History Museum in London.
13. In recent years, Mary Anning’s story has been the subject of books, plays, and even a song by the British rock band, Muse.
14. In 2020, a new species of dinosaur was named after Mary Anning, in recognition of her contributions to the field of paleontology.

Mary Anning was a famous 19th century fossil hunter and paleontologist. Her discoveries made a significant contribution to the field of paleontology and changed our understanding of the ancient world. Here are some interesting facts about Mary Anning: