The British writer David Lodge has died at the age of 89, as reported this Friday by his publisher, Penguin Random House, which has assured that he died “peacefully and with close family at his side.”
Lodge became best known for the ‘Campus’ trilogy of novels: ‘Exchanges: A Tale of Two Universities’, ‘The World is a Handkerchief’ and ‘Good Job!’, which placed him as a candidate for the Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious in English letters. He was also the author of ‘Souls and Bodies’ or ‘Therapy’, as well as studies, such as ‘The Art of Fiction’.
He taught in the English department at the University of Birmingham between 1960 and 1987 and became professor of English literature in 1976. He continued his association with the University as an emeritus professor when he retired to concentrate on his writings. He was also appointed Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 1997 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1998 for his services to literature.
“He inspired great affection in those who were lucky enough to work on his books and his dedication to the world of writing was unwavering and profound. His death is a huge loss for all of us at Penguin Random House and for British letters,” he noted. the publisher.
For her part, its editor, Liz Foley, highlighted the “true privilege” and “joy” of having worked with Lodge. “His contribution to literary culture was immense, both in his criticism and through his masterful and iconic novels that have now become classics. He was also a very kind, modest and funny person and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with him and having had the pleasure of enjoying his wit and company throughout his recent publications,” he stressed.