In 2009 Tracy Chevalier published her novel Remarkable Creatures about Lyme Regis's famous fossil-hunter Mary Anning and her friendship with Elizabeth Philpot. 

Much of her research for the book was done in Lyme and Tracy went on many fossil walks with our geologist Paddy Howe. Tracy also contributed to a highly successful museum event, Mary Anning Day, in 2009, and we are thrilled that she is now a Patron of the Museum Friends. 

Born in America in 1962, Tracy Chevalier is perhaps best-known for her book Girl with a Pearl Earring, which won the Barnes and Noble Discover Award.  It has sold almost 4 million copies worldwide and was made into a film starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. 

You can buy the book in our shop and support Lyme Regis Museum.

Find out more about 'Remarkable Creatures' here 

See the BBC's slideshow about Mary anning narrated by Tracy Chevalier

See Travis Graalman's film about Museum Geologist Paddy Howe narrated by Tracy Chevalier

At our 2009 Mary Anning Day, Tracy Chevalier gave a reading from Remarkable Creatures and signed books using ink made from fossilised squid ink sacks recovered and prepared by Museum Geologist Paddy Howe. A sample signed book is shown below.