Mary Anning was a renowned British fossil collector and paleontologist who made significant contributions to the field of science in the 19th century. She was born on May 21, 1799, in Lyme Regis, a small coastal town in Dorset, England. Mary was the daughter of Richard Anning, a cabinetmaker, and Mary Moore Anning, who was a homemaker. She was the youngest of ten children, but only she and her brother Joseph survived infancy.

Mary’s family was poor, and they lived in a small cottage near the cliffs of Lyme Regis. Her father collected fossils as a hobby and sold them to tourists to supplement the family’s income. Mary and her brother Joseph often accompanied their father on his fossil hunting expeditions, and they quickly developed a keen interest in the subject.

Tragically, Mary’s father died when she was just eleven years old, leaving the family in dire financial straits. Mary and her brother Joseph continued to collect fossils to support their family, and they soon became experts in the field. Mary’s discoveries included the first complete Ichthyosaurus skeleton, which she found when she was just twelve years old.

Despite her lack of formal education, Mary’s knowledge of fossils and geology was unparalleled. She became a respected member of the scientific community and corresponded with many leading scientists of her time. However, as a woman, she faced significant barriers to her work and was often excluded from scientific societies and institutions.

Mary Anning’s contributions to science were significant, and her discoveries helped to shape our understanding of prehistoric life. She died on March 9, 1847, at the age of 47, from breast cancer. Today, she is remembered as a pioneering scientist and a trailblazer for women in science.