Anne Phillips played an important but often overlooked role in 19th century geology. As the niece of William Smith and sister of John Phillips, instigators in the designs of Scarborough’s Rotunda Museum, she was deeply involved in scientific work. Anne accompanied her brother on expeditions and helped to catalogue the fossils and minerals they found. She was also highly respected by prominent geologists of her time despite often being overshadowed by her brother’s work. Through Anne’s discovery of the “Miss Phillips Conglomerate,” her work continues to be recognised today.
A life of Geology
The Phillips family left a lasting mark on the field of geology. Anne’s uncle, William Smith, was the visionary behind the design for the Rotunda. Her brother, John Phillips, created the geological frieze in the museum’s gallery that depicts the region’s coastline. Anne and her brother were orphaned young and raised with the support of their uncle, who funded John’s education into the world of geology. Little is known about Anne’s education, but she was heavily involved in the scientific world. In 1829, John became the keeper of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society Museum in York. Anne joined him in Yorkshire and the two remained inseparable until her death in 1862.
“Miss Phillips Conglomerate”
Anne was not afraid to immerse herself in her brother’s scientific work. She accompanied John on numerous expeditions and catalogued the fossils and minerals they collected. Her most notable achievement came in 1842 when she disproved a widely accepted theory about the Malvern Hills conglomerate. This discovery was so significant that the rock formation was named after her: “Miss Phillips Conglomerate.” Anne received full credit for the work in her brother’s published report.
Behind the scenes
Anne’s contributions behind the scenes have been overlooked. The treasure trove of letters to Anne from her uncle William Smith offer a glimpse into Anne’s scientific world during the 1830s. Though Anne’s replies are lost, these letters reveal her profound knowledge and standing in the field. Smith frequently wrote to his niece about his latest findings, treating her as an equal among esteemed geologists. In one letter from May 1837, he casually noted that “Professor Daniell & several other[s] have inquired for You” at a meeting of the Royal Society Club. Professor John Frederic Daniell, an expert in meteorology, rocks, and minerals, was part of the elite circle that clearly recognised, and accepted, Anne’s contributions.
A superior mind
Smith often acknowledged Anne’s superiority in geological matters and jokingly downplayed his own expertise. On the 3rd of June 1833, he wrote:
“you will excuse my writing to you on Geology, for now by the cheap method of diffusing knowledge every one must have their pennyworth.”
And a few years later he reiterated:
“I presume I need not apologize for writing to You on Geology – the science has long been too deep and too elevated for me to write to the learned on the subject – and You have been so much among them you must know that they crack the crust of the Globe as easily as you would crack a nut.”
Smith’s playful comments reflect how effortlessly Anne moved in this world of science. His remark that, for Anne, geology is as easy as “crack[ing] a nut” shows how this was a central part of her home life.
Credit where credit is due
In 1835, John Phillips published the second volume of his Illustrations of the Geology of Yorkshire. Smith was keen to show Anne’s work behind the publication and nicknamed it Anne’s “little Book” in acknowledgement of the contributions she made. Smith’s casual attitude to Anne’s geological expertise shows just how much she was embedded in this world. To Smith, Anne was simply another member of the Victorian geological elite. The fact that she was a woman was irrelevant.
Anne’s story
Anne Phillips’ story demonstrates that while she may not have always received the recognition she deserved, she was a force to be reckoned with in the world of nineteenth-century geology. Phillips was more than a companion to her brother; she was a respected scientific mind in her own right. Her contributions still endure in the field today.
To read the letters from Williams Smith to Anne Phillips head to https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/oum-catalogue-1677.
Image: Anne Phillips (1803-1862), The Royal Institution.
https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/mystery-geologist-anne-phillips