Research - Mary Anning

Mary Anning was a fossil collector and pioneering palaeontologist who was born and grew up in Lyme Regis, which is now known as the Jurassic coast due to the many fossils found there. Her interest in fossils began through her father who would allow her to accompany him on his search for fossils, showing her how to find them and clean them. The fossils they would find would be put in their shop as a way to make money, as Mary and her family were of the lower class and had very little money. This also meant she was unable to get a full formal education and had to teach herself geology and anatomy as fortunately she could read.

Anning's Discoveries 

19th century depictions of a ichthyosaur and plesiosaur 

Lyme Regis - Jurassic coast 

1820's Working women's clothing 

Mary Anning came from a low social status and her family were constantly trying to make money, so its unlikely she was wearing the same clothes as the fashionable elite of the time. Since the 1820's was the regency era, the empire waistline was all the rage and even though working women couldn't afford the fancy dresses of the time they could alter their garments to fit in with the trend.