Alasdair Gray death: Lanark author dies aged 85

Tim Baker30 December 2019

Lanark author Alasdair Gray has died at the age of 85 in Glasgow, his publisher has announced.

The writer and painter passed away on Sunday morning at the Queen Elizabeth hospital surrounded by family.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon lead the tributes online to the much loved author, calling him “one of Scotland’s literary giants”.

He wrote more than 30 books - which he illustrated himself - as well as creating murals across Glasgow.

His family released a message on Sunday morning, which said: “Early this morning we lost a deeply loved member of our family.

“Alasdair was an extraordinary person; very talented and, even more importantly, very humane.

“He was unique and irreplaceable and we will miss him greatly.

Alasdair Gray has died aged 85
PA

“We would like to thank Alasdair’s many friends for their love and support, especially in recent years.

“Together with the staff of the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Glasgow, who treated him and us with such care and sensitivity during his short illness.

“In keeping with his principles Alasdair wanted his body donated to medical science, so there will be no funeral.”

Ms Sturgeon added that the writer was “a decent, principled human being”.

She went on: “While many of us will think of Alasdair Gray first and foremost as a brilliant and innovative writer, he was also a hugely talented artist.

“A true polymath, he was one of the brightest intellectual and creative lights Scotland has known in modern times. RIP”

Alasdair Gray
BBC

And from his agent, Jenny Brown: “We mourn Alasdair Gray’s passing, but his genius will live on for readers through his remarkable work.

“He was a cultural trailblazer: nobody has done more to spur on, and give confidence to, the next generation of Scottish writers.”

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