Tributes have been paid to the author, critic and academic Seamus Deane who has died at the age of 81.
Born in Derry in 1940, Seamus Deane was educated at Queen's University and Cambridge University. He was professor of Modern English and American Literature in University College Dublin, and had lectured extensively across Europe and the United States.
His collections of poetry included Gradual Wars (1972), which won the AE Memorial Prize, Rumours (1977), History Lessons (1983) and Selected Poems (1988). He had written numerous works of criticism on Irish literature, and a history of the French Enlightenment.
I'm very sorry to hear this morning of the death of Seamus Deane. Such an important voice in the culture - and Reading in the Dark is a masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/k5MA11NWMN
— John Kelly tweets (@johnkellytweets) May 13, 2021
His first novel, Reading in the Dark, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1996 and won the Irish Times Literary Award in 1997.
He was a director of the Field Day theatre company, and was general editor of the Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing.
Seamus Deane 1940-2021
— Field Day (@FieldDayCompany) May 13, 2021
One of the original members of Field Day, Seamus Deane, died after a short illness in Dublin on 12 May 2021.
Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/fomOR0YMfX
Arts Council Chair Prof. Kevin Rafter said: "A gifted writer and a profound intellect, Seamus Deane was a master of every writing form. As a critic, an editor, a poet and a novelist, Deane brought concentrated rigour and empathy to his work. An inspiring teacher and continual advocate for Irish writing, Seamus Deane leaves behind a powerful literary and cultural legacy.
The estate of Seamus Heaney said they were incredibly saddened by the news, and that Seamus Deane was one of Heaney's oldest friends.
