The Life and Times of Mary

Mary Anning became interested in geology and paleontology when she was just 12. She found a skeleton of an ichthyosaur, which is a prehistoric sea reptile that looks a bit like a dolphin. By 24 Mary's discovery made her properly famous in the scientific community. Despite making these rare and remarkable discoveries people were still not taking Mary seriously because she was a woman and also because she wasn't from a posh family. In 1823 George Cuvier thought it was fake at first but when he realized she was a legit fossil boffin he mentioned her in his public writings. But don't worry. I don't want this to be the end of it.