Judith Kerr, renowned children’s book writer and illustrator, has died shortly before her 96th birthday. Her work is known Read more
Obituary
The Death of Gentlemanly Publishing: Obituary for Editor Diana Athill
Gesa Stedman laments the death of editor Diana Athill, and explains gentlemanly publishing – a concept unknown to younger 21st-century readers. 20th-century-style publishing died its final death recently, Read more
Please Look After This Author – Obituary for Michael Bond (1926-2017)
Gesa Stedman mourns the death of Michael Bond, inventor of the Paddington bear stories. Michael Bond has died aged 91. Although well-known to many, his fame is by far outdone by his famous creation, Paddington bear, who arrived at Paddington Station from “Darkest Peru” in 1958. In his blue duffle-coat, […] Read more
Derek Walcott Obituary – Unity and Division Created by the Ocean
Derek Walcott has died at the age of 87 on the Caribbean island of St Lucia. He was one of the best-known Caribbean writers, famous for his poetry and his plays. He published about 20 poetry collections and 30 plays and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992 […] Read more
No More Princess Smartypants: Obituary for Children’s Book Writer Babette Cole
The creator of Princess Smartypants, Babette Cole, has died aged 67, following complications after a collapsed lung. Known and beloved by everyone whose sense of humour is a little whacky, and by children and parents who prefer their reading irreverent and subversive, she will be sorely missed. In particular her […] Read more
Death of more than a Salesman
One of Berlin’s legendary booksellers, Robert Kiepert, has died aged 88. From 1912 onwards, the Kiepert family were key players in Berlin’s bookshop scene with Robert Kiepert entering the family firm in 1956. Most famous was the enormous, sprawling but wonderful bookshop in Charlottenburg, housed in the equally famous “Haus […] Read more
Death of a Gentleman Publisher
Lord Weidenfeld, formerly of Weidenfeld & Nicolson, has died, aged 96. One of the last “gentlemen” publishers, his death marks the end of an era. George Weidenfeld was born to middle-class Jewish parents in 1916, in Vienna. He fled Austria during the Nazi period, and established himself in Britain. In […] Read more
