Influential Scottish author and artist Alasdair Gray who wrote novels including Lanark and Poor Things dies aged 85
- He died on Sunday morning at Queen Elizabeth hospital in his native Glasgow
- Family said: ‘Alasdair was extraordinary person, very talented and very humane’
- First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Gray was one of Scotland’s ‘literary giants’
Author and artist Alasdair Gray has died at aged 85
Author and artist Alasdair Gray has died at the age of 85, according to publishing firm Canongate.
He died on Sunday morning at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in his native Glasgow, surrounded by family.
In a statement shared by Canongate, the family said: ‘Alasdair was an extraordinary person; very talented and, even more importantly, very humane.
‘He was unique and irreplaceable and we will miss him greatly. 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.’
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, described Gray as one of Scotland’s ‘literary giants’ and a ‘decent, principled human being’.
‘He’ll be remembered best for the masterpiece that is Lanark, but everything he wrote reflected his brilliance.
‘Today, we mourn the loss of a genius, and think of his family,’ she added.
He died on Sunday morning at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in his native Glasgow, surrounded by family