Watch: Who was Mary Anning?

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What did Mary Anning do?

Mary Anning smiling holding a fossil on a beach, with her dog.

Mary Anning was born on 21 May 1799. She lived in the English seaside town of Lyme Regis in Dorset.

Mary would spend her time searching the coast looking for what she called ‘curiosities’.

Later in her life, as she developed a better understanding of her finds, she realised they were actually fossils.

Men look at Mary Anning's fossil.

Over the course of her life she made many incredible discoveries. This made her famous among some of the most important scientists of the day. They would visit her for advice and to discuss scientific ideas about fossils. Today, Mary is remembered as one of the greatest fossil hunters to have ever lived.

Men look at Mary Anning's fossil.

The story of Mary Anning

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 7, Mary Anning on top of a cliff, Click through the images to explore the life of Mary Anning
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Life of Mary Anning

Mary Anning and her dog, Tray.
Image caption,
Most days Mary went fossil hunting with her faithful dog called Tray.

Growing up by the sea

Mary's parents were Richard Anning and Mary Moore. As a baby, Mary had a lucky escape when a woman carrying her was struck by lightning.

Her family were very poor, which meant she didn’t get to attend school much. Instead, she mainly taught herself to read and write.

Fossil hunting

Mary's family had little money so she spent most days searching the beaches with her brother looking for items to sell.

When she was just 12, they discovered the skull of a mysterious creature poking out from a cliff.

They thought it might be a crocodile, but what she had discovered was actually an ancient reptile called an ichthyosaur (which means ‘fish lizard’).

Mary went on to make more incredible discoveries in her life, including a long-necked marine reptile called a plesiosaur and a flying reptile called a Dimorphodon.

Mary Anning and her dog, Tray.
Image caption,
Most days Mary went fossil hunting with her faithful dog called Tray.
Mary Anning on the cliffs with her dog. She is holding a fossil.
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Activity: Quiz – Mary Anning

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