Mary Anning was a renowned British fossil collector and paleontologist who lived from 1799 to 1847. She was born in Lyme Regis, a small coastal town in Dorset, England, and grew up in a family of fossil collectors. Her father, Richard Anning, was a cabinetmaker and amateur fossil collector who often took Mary and her brother Joseph on fossil-hunting expeditions along the cliffs and beaches of Lyme Regis.

Mary’s interest in fossils began at a young age, and she quickly became an expert in identifying and collecting them. She made her first significant discovery at the age of 12, when she found the skeleton of an ichthyosaur, a prehistoric marine reptile, on the beach near her home. This discovery brought her to the attention of the scientific community, and she soon became known as one of the most skilled fossil collectors in England.

Despite her lack of formal education, Mary’s knowledge of fossils and geology was highly respected by scientists and scholars of the time. She corresponded with many of the leading figures in the field, including the geologist Henry De la Beche and the paleontologist William Buckland. Her discoveries also helped to shape the emerging field of paleontology, and she was one of the first people to recognize the importance of studying fossils in order to understand the history of life on Earth.

Mary’s most famous discovery came in 1824, when she found the first complete skeleton of a plesiosaur, another prehistoric marine reptile. This discovery caused a sensation in the scientific community and helped to establish Mary’s reputation as a leading paleontologist. She continued to make important discoveries throughout her career, including the first complete skeleton of a pterosaur, a flying reptile, in 1828.

Despite her many achievements, Mary faced significant obstacles in her career due to her gender and social class. As a woman and a working-class person, she was often excluded from scientific societies and denied access to academic resources. She also faced financial difficulties throughout her life, and was forced to sell many of her fossils in order to support herself and her family.

Mary Anning died in 1847 at the age of 47, after a long battle with breast cancer. She is remembered today as a pioneering figure in the field of paleontology, and as a symbol of the many women and working-class people who have made important contributions to science despite facing significant barriers. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of scientists and scholars, and her discoveries continue to shed light on the history of life on Earth.