Profile of the Day: Mary Anning

Today we remember English fossil collector and paleontologist Mary Anning, who was born on this day in 1799.

Image: Mary Anning / Wikimedia Commons

Mary Anning was born on May 21, 1799 in Lyme Regis, a coastal town in Dorset, England. Her father, Richard Anning, was a cabinet maker who supplemented his income by mining the coastal cliffside for fossils to sell to tourists. Growing up, Anning often accompanied her father on fossil hunting expeditions to earn more money for the family. When she was 11, her father died and left the family in much debt. In order to support themselves, Anning and her family continued to collect and sell fossils from the seashore cliffs.

She became well known amongst geologists for her incredible finds. The cliffside beds from which she hunted were rich in Jurassic era fossils. Scientists would often come visit to see her discoveries first hand and often consulted with her on issues about collecting fossils. Some of her most significant finds included the first ichthyosaur skeleton, the first pterosaur skeleton located outside of Germany, and many important fish fossils. She also played an important role in the discovery that coprolites were fossilized feces. Although Anning’s discoveries contributed to important changes to the understanding of prehistoric life, she was often overlooked in the scientific community and did not receive full credit for her scientific contributions.

Fun fact: Did you know that Anning served as the inspiration for the tongue twister, “She sells seashells”?

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