Glasgow University to honor late author William McIlvanney with doctorate
William McIlvanney is to be honoured with a posthumous doctorate during a memorial service at his former university.
Famous figures will pay tribute to the celebrated author, known as the Godfather of Tartan Noir, during the Glasgow University service on Saturday.
The author of the acclaimed Laidlaw trilogy and numerous other Glasgow-based works such as Docherty, The Big Man and The Kiln died at his home in the city on December 5 aged 79.
His long-time friend, broadcaster Ruth Wishart, will introduce the service which will include readings by actor David Hayman and tributes from author Val McDermid and journalists Allan Massie and Hugh McDonald.
His brother, renowned sports journalist Hugh McIlvanney, will speak at the commemoration along with his daughter, Siobhan McIlvanney, who said the ''last piece of writing'' her father did was an acceptance note for an honorary degree making him a doctor of literature.
She said: 'The University of Glasgow was dad's alma mater - as it was my brother Liam's and my own - and I know how pleased he was when the university contacted him last year to tell him that they would like to award him the degree. In fact, the last piece of writing he ever did was a brief note confirming his acceptance. Attending the University of Glasgow as an English and history undergraduate in the late 1950s not only instigated his deep affection for the city itself, an affection to which his writing repeatedly bears witness, but represented a significant stage in dad's intellectual development. Above all else, he valued the atmosphere of openness the university fostered and relished the opportunity to exchange ideas with his peers.'
Mr McIlvanney was also an influential poet, journalist and broadcaster, and contributed to political and sporting life in Scotland through a series of columns and TV programmes.
Professor Roibeard O Maolalaigh, vice-principal and head of the college of arts, will confer the degree.
He said: 'The college of arts and the University of Glasgow are very proud to have William McIlvanney as one of our most distinguished and talented alumni. He was an inspirational figure who made an outstanding contribution to Scottish life and culture in an astonishing array of different spheres. He was one of Scotland's most accessible intellectuals who captured accurately and gracefully so many facets of the human condition. It is entirely fitting that his alma mater should honour and recognise his extraordinary contribution.'