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Mary Anning
Mary Anning (1799-1847) was a famous
fossil hunter who lived in Lyme Regis,
England - a part of
the country which is today known as the
Jurassic Coast.
In 1811, aged just 12, Anning discovered the
fossilized skeleton of an
Ichthyosaur (this
specimen is now in
London's
Natural History Museum).
Although
Ichthyosaurs
had been known from fragments since at least 1699, this was the first complete
skeleton found - Mary first found the skull, and only later found the rest of
the animal after a storm washed away the part of a cliff which contained it.
Anning subsequently went on to discover two more species of
Ichthyosaur.
Anning's later finds included a
Plesiosaur in 1821, and
Pterosaur (the first complete specimen, and the first found outside
of Germany)
in 1828.
Mary Anning's discoveries were important because they helped establish
the fact of extinction. Until then, many people had argued that God would
not allow any species to become extinct (as that would imply an imperfect
creation), and thus the strange animals found in
fossils were still alive
in some region of the planet. However, the truly bizarre nature of the
animals found by Anning, help contribute to making such arguments seem unlikely.
In life, Anning was recognized by the British Association for the Advancement
of Science, being granted an annuity when in her thirties. As a woman,
she was not eligible for the standard
membership of the Geological Society of London, but she was however
granted honorary membership.
Anning sadly died aged just 47. She was commemorated by a stained-glass
window in the church of St Michael the Archangel in Lyme Regis. She was
however largely forgotten after her death, until interest in her revived
in more recent times.
She is referred to in
John Fowles'
1969 novel,
The French Lieutenant's Woman ,
and today
there is a display about her in
London's
Natural History Museum.
Additionally, some people claim that the tongue twister that begins
"She sells sea shells by the sea shore" was inspired by Mary Anning.
Plesiosaurus macrocephalus found by Mary Anning:
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By Tom Sharpe
The Dovecote Press
Released: July 14th, 2021
Paperback (0 pages)
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Click Here | Description:
The Fossil Woman: A Life of Mary Anning- Manufacturer: The Dovecote Press
- ISBN: 1838473505
- EAN: 9781838473501
- PartNumber: 9781838473501
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 0
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- Publication Date: July 14th, 2021
- Release Date: July 14th, 2021
Physical Description:- Size: 6.18109 inches by 9.33069 inches by 0.98425 inches
Features:Click here for more information |
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Released: February 15th, 2022
Hardcover (48 pages)
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Dragon Bones: The Fantastic Fossil Discoveries of Mary Anning- Manufacturer: Roaring Brook Press
- Brand: Roaring Brook Press
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- EAN: 9781250140210
Details:- Hardcover
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- Number of Pages: 48
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- Release Date: February 15th, 2022
Physical Description:- Size: 11.19 Inches by 9.3200601 Inches by 0.41 Inches
- Weight: 1.00089866948 Pounds
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Released: July 23rd, 2007
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Click Here | Description:
The Fossil Girl- Manufacturer: Frances Lincoln Children's Bks
- Brand: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
- ISBNs: 1845077326, 9781845077327
- EANs: 8601404254031, 9781845077327, 8601200754957
- PartNumber: Colour illustrations
Details:- Paperback
- Edition: 53371st
- Number of Pages: 32
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- Release Date: July 23rd, 2007
Physical Description:- Size: 10.24 inches by 8.27 inches by 0.08 inches
- Weight: 2.314853751 pounds
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Released: March 16th, 2021
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Mary Anning (Volume 58) (Little People, BIG DREAMS, 58)- Manufacturer: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
- Brand: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
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Details:- Hardcover
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- Release Date: March 16th, 2021
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Independently published
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Mary Anning: The Unstoppable Fossil Hunter- Manufacturer: Independently published
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,
and today
there is a display about her in
London's
Natural History Museum.
Additionally, some people claim that the tongue twister that begins
"She sells sea shells by the sea shore" was inspired by Mary Anning.
