Who was Mary Anning?
Q: Who was Mary Anning?
A: Mary Anning was an early 19th-century British fossil collector, dealer and paleontologist.
Q: What important discoveries did she make?
A: She made many important finds, including the first ichthyosaur skeleton to be correctly identified (Temnodontosaurus platyodon); the first two plesiosaur skeletons ever found (Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus); the first pterosaur skeleton found outside Germany (Dimorphodon macronyx); and some important fish fossils. She also observed that previously unknown forms of life had existed in the Jurassic seas, all of which were long extinct.
Q: How did her work contribute to scientific biology in the early 19th century?
A: Her work played a key role in the growth of scientific biology in the early 19th century by showing without question that previously unknown forms of life had existed in the Jurassic seas, all of which were long extinct.
Q: Why wasn't she able to fully participate in the scientific community at this time?
A: Her sex and social class—her parents were poor religious dissenters—prevented her from fully participating in the scientific community of early 19th century England, dominated as it was by rich Anglican gentlemen.
Q: How did Thomas Birch help Mary Anning's family?
A: When he noticed their poverty, Birch arranged for the sale by auction of his own fossil collection, and gave them proceeds worth £400. This not only provided much needed funds but also raised their profile within geological circles.
Q: How did William Buckland help Mary Anning financially?
A: After she lost £300 on unwise investments, Buckland organised a government pension for her worth £25 per year.
Q: What caused her death?
A: Mary Anning died from breast cancer.
