Dr. Michael Taylor, a 19th-century historian and author, and Sara Pascoe, a comedian and writer, dive into the life of Mary Anning, a groundbreaking paleontologist. They explore her extraordinary fossil discoveries amidst societal challenges as a lower-class woman. With humor, they recount the bizarre lightning strike that may have sparked her brilliance. The discussion highlights the clash of science and religion in her time and underlines the vital yet overlooked contributions of women in paleontology and geology.
Mary Anning, a pioneering palaeontologist, made significant discoveries in a male-dominated field yet struggled for recognition due to systemic gender barriers.
Her legacy highlights the importance of inclusivity in science history, advocating for acknowledgment of women's critical contributions despite historical erasure.
Deep dives
Mary Anning: The Fearless Fossil Finder
Mary Anning, born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, faced a challenging childhood marked by tragedy, including the loss of many siblings and her father's death. Despite economic hardships, she discovered her passion for paleontology at a young age, famously uncovering the skeleton of an ichthyosaurus at just 12 years old. Her finds, including a complete plesiosaurus, brought her recognition and financial gain, though she often struggled to make ends meet. Anning’s tenacity in a male-dominated field laid the groundwork for future paleontologists, highlighting her role as a pioneer in discovering prehistoric life.
Challenges of Being a Woman in Science
Despite her groundbreaking contributions to paleontology, Mary Anning faced systemic barriers as a woman in the 19th century, which severely limited her recognition and access to formal scientific societies. The Royal Society and similar institutions excluded women, meaning Anning could not fully participate in the scientific community despite her significant discoveries. Her lack of formal acknowledgment contrasted with her substantial expertise and knowledge, often leading her to feel bitterness towards those who profited from her work without giving her due credit. This context underscores the broader challenges women faced in science, often being erased from history despite their critical roles.
Legacy and Recognition Over Time
Mary Anning's legacy has evolved over the years, with limited recognition during her lifetime but growing acknowledgment in the modern era. She received some posthumous honors, including species named after her, yet these accolades did not reflect the full impact of her work during her life. As appreciation for her contributions has grown, there is a call for greater awareness of the collaborative nature of scientific discovery, particularly regarding the unsung contributions of women. Recognizing figures like Anning not only honors her memory but also highlights the importance of inclusivity in the historical narrative of science.
In this episode, Greg Jenner is joined in nineteenth-century England by Dr Michael Taylor and comedian Sara Pascoe to learn all about pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning.
Born to a cabinet-maker father who collected and sold fossils to make extra money, Anning went fossil hunting from a young age. Over the course of her life, she discovered complete ichthyosaur, plesiosaur and pterosaur skeletons, and made great contributions to the emerging discipline of palaeontology. But she was also shut out by the largely male scientific establishment. This episode charts her extraordinary life story, exploring the significance of her discoveries against the background of nineteenth-century debates about religion and science and controversies around the age of the earth.
This is a radio edit of the original podcast episode. For the full-length version, please look further back in the feed.
Hosted by: Greg Jenner
Research by: Annabel Storr
Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner
Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey
Production Coordinator: Ben Hollands
Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse
Executive Editor: James Cook
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode