Mary Anning
This Evolution Talk podcast can be listened to on-line at ET Podcast: Mary Anning, where it is the second episode from the top of the list.
Synopsis
- born 1799 in Lyme Regis, on the Jurassic Coast
- explored local Blue Lias cliffs
- found head, then skeleton of Ichthysaurus platyodon, sold to collector
- family supplemented father's incoming by selling small fossils, like ammonites
- later found entire skeleton of Plesiosaurus macrocephalus
- good at drawing; many of her letters and sketches survive
- set up Anning's Fossil Depot
- nearly killed by landslip which buried her dog close to her feet
- discovered a pterosaur (Dimorphodon macronis) skeleton
- Refused membership by Geological Society of London, who only recognised men
- After a bad investment, William Buckland got her a small state pension
- died of breast cancer at age of 47, buried in Lyme churchyard
- Geological Society belatedly funded a stained glass window featuring her endeavours
- Many well-known scientists used her finds, including de la Beche (of unconformity fame)
Further information
Mary Anning info - biography [Wikipedia]
Lyme Regis info - description [Wikipedia]
Jurassic Coast info - description [Wikipedia]