New Book Focuses on Trailblazing Meredith Alumna

A new book called The Feather Detective tells the story of Meredith College alumna Roxie Collie Laybourne, a trailblazing woman who was the world’s first forensic ornithologist. 

Laybourne, who graduated from Meredith in 1932, worked at the Smithsonian Institution and used her skills in identifying feathers to solve a remarkable number of mysteries.

When describing the subject of his book, author Chris Sweeney starts with the basic facts.

“I like to lead with a basic, almost boring description of her science. I say that I’ve written a biography of a woman named Roxie Laybourne who worked within the Smithsonian and developed ways of identifying birds from the tiniest fragments of feathers,” Sweeney said. 

From there, he shares the wide impact Laybourne’s work had. As the book’s description says: “Using nothing more than her microscope and bits of feathers, she helped prosecute murderers, kidnappers, and poachers. When she wasn’t testifying in court or studying evidence from capital crimes, she was helping aerospace engineers and Air Force crews as they raced to bird-proof their airplanes before disaster struck again.”

The book was published on July 22 by Simon and Schuster and has been named one of NPR’s most anticipated books of the summer. 

Sweeney hopes the book will bring more attention to Laybourne and her accomplishments. 

“She was so resilient, so determined, and so clever. She embarked on some very difficult scientific endeavors, and she thrived in some adverse social environments,” Sweeney said. “She is the exact kind of role model we need more of in today’s world, and I hope this book will introduce her legacy to a large audience.”

Meredith’s College Archives played a role in the book’s creation. Sweeney contacted Meredith when writing an Audubon magazine article about Laybourne. He hoped to get copies of yearbook photos from Laybourne’s time as a student.

Meredith Archives and Collection Management Associate Janice Sniker also offered to share clippings from the student newspaper featuring Laybourne.

“It was so kind and thoughtful for Janice to make that initial offer. She didn’t need to do it at all,” Sweeney said. “And looking back, I think in some ways, having that stack of old newspaper clippings from Meredith in my possession helped convince me that I could gather enough yarn for a book.”

Book Event
Sweeney will be at Meredith to discuss his book on September 25 during an event hosted by the Office of Alumnae Relations. The event will include a reception at 5:30 p.m. in Cate Center Alcove and an Author Chat at 7 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium. Registration details will be available soon.