
Crime author William McIlvanney dies aged 79
5 December 2015
From the section Scotland
Tributes have been paid to novelist William McIlvanney, who has died aged 79.
The author of the acclaimed 1977 Glasgow detective novel Laidlaw had been ill for a short time.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Shedding a tear at news of Willie McIlvanney’s death. His writing meant so much to me when I was growing up. RIP.”
McIlvanney is survived by his partner Siobhan, daughter Siobhan and son Liam.
Rebus author Ian Rankin described his death as “dreadful news”.
He said: “A truly inspired and inspiring author and an absolute gent.”
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh said: “Absolutely gutted to hear this. An inspirational writer and one of the loveliest guys you could hope to meet.”
McIlvanney, describbed as The Godfather of Tartan Noir, was born in Kilmarnock and was the most-celebrated Scottish novelist of the 1970s.
Source:: BBC Entertainment