Mary Anning, Bronze statue in Lyme Regis, England
Mary Anning is a bronze statue located at the junction of Long Entry and Gun Cliff Walk in Lyme Regis. It portrays the paleontologist in working attire with tools, positioned to suggest her actively searching for fossils along the cliffs.
The statue was unveiled in 2022 to honor a legendary fossil collector from the 19th century who made major discoveries along Lyme Regis cliffs. Her scientific contributions were significant during her lifetime, yet her name faded from public memory until recent efforts restored her prominence.
This monument addresses the underrepresentation of women in public art, as it represents one of only four statues of women in southwest England.
The monument stands accessible year-round at the intersection with views overlooking the cliffs where major fossil discoveries were made. The location sits along a popular walking path, making it easy for visitors to combine viewing the statue with exploring the surrounding coastline.
The monument was funded entirely through private donations without government support or major corporate sponsors. The campaign demonstrates how a grassroots effort started by young people gained widespread backing to honor overlooked scientific contributions.
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