Mary Anning Rocks campaign
The Geological Society honours Mary Anning by supporting statue campaign
Fossil enthusiast Evie Swire sparked the campaign when she asked her mother, ‘Why isn’t there a statue to Mary, Mummy?’ Image credit: Natashia Mattocks
The Geological Society has become an official supporter of the campaign to acknowledge the life and work of Mary Anning (1799 – 1847) through a statue to be erected in her honour on the Jurassic Coast. Aiming to commemorate Mary’s contribution and inspire future fossil-hunters with her unique story, this support is in line with the Society’s goal to promote Earth science education and awareness.
Mary Anning was a fossil hunter and collector, who made many incredible discoveries in her home town of Lyme Regis, becoming renowned throughout the scientific world in the early 19th century. Mary’s work was groundbreaking within palaeontology, however because Mary was a woman and from a working-class background, she didn’t receive the recognition she deserved during her life.
Regrettably, Mary was never able to join the Society because women were not considered for Fellowship until 1919. However, the foundations to our science were laid by countless dedicated and passionate geologists, just like Mary, who deserve to be remembered and celebrated. The Mary Anning Rocks campaign coordinator says, “We see the statue as an inspirational presence in the landscape where she worked.”
To find out more about the campaign, visit www.maryanningrocks.co.uk/
Join the Library on 9 March for an online talk by Tom Sharpe ‘Mary Anning and the men of learning’. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gsl-library-event-mary-anning-talk-with-author-tom-sharpe-tickets-139642324953
Visit our online exhibition: www.geolsoc.org.uk/Library-and-Information-Services/Exhibitions/Women-and-Geology/Mary-Anning
Download our KS3 factsheet: www.geolsoc.org.uk/~/media/shared/documents/education%20and%20careers/Resources/FactSheets/Mary%20Anning%20factsheet.pdf?la=en
