William McIlvanney
Encyclopedia
William McIlvanney is a writer of crime stories, novels, and poetry. McIlvanney is a champion of gritty yet poetic literature; his works Laidlaw, The Papers of Tony Veitch, and Walking Wounded are all known for their portrayal of Glasgow
in the 1970s.
and later at the University of Glasgow
, after which he worked as an English teacher between 1960 and 1975. His first book, Remedy is None, was published in 1966 and won the Geoffrey Faber
Memorial Prize. Docherty (1975), a moving portrait of a miner whose courage and endurance is tested during the depression, won the Whitbread Novel Award. The Big Man (1985), is the story of Dan Scoular, an unemployed man who turns to bare-knuckle fighting to make a living. Both novels feature typical McIlvanney characters - tough, often violent, men locked in a struggle with their own nature and background.
His novel, The Kiln (1996), is the story of Tam Docherty, the grandson of the hero of Docherty. It won the Saltire Society
Scottish Book of the Year Award. The Big Man (1985) was made into a film starring Liam Neeson
and featuring Billy Connolly
. Laidlaw
(1977), The Papers of Tony Veitch (1983) and Strange Loyalties (1991) are crime novels featuring Inspector Jack Laidlaw. Laidlaw
is considered to be the first book of Tartan Noir
, despite the author calling the genre "ersatz".
William McIlvanney is also an acclaimed poet, and is the author of The Longships in Harbour: Poems (1970) and Surviving the Shipwreck (1991), which also contains pieces of journalism, including an essay about T. S. Eliot
. His short story "Dreaming" (published in Walking Wounded in 1989) was filmed by BBC Scotland
in 1990 and won a BAFTA. His brother is the sports journalist Hugh McIlvanney
.
He was the narrator of the BBC Scotland
football documentary Only a Game? in 1986, and the official history of Celtic football club in 1988.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in the 1970s.
Life and career
McIlvanney was born in the town of Kilmarnock, the son of a miner. He studied at Kilmarnock AcademyKilmarnock Academy
Kilmarnock Academy is a comprehensive school, one of several in Kilmarnock, a town in western Scotland. It can trace its history back to the local burgh school founded in the 1630s and the first school to bear the name was established in 1807...
and later at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, after which he worked as an English teacher between 1960 and 1975. His first book, Remedy is None, was published in 1966 and won the Geoffrey Faber
Geoffrey Faber
Sir Geoffrey Cust Faber was a British academic, publisher and poet.Geoffrey Cust Faber was educated at Rugby School and Christ Church, Oxford...
Memorial Prize. Docherty (1975), a moving portrait of a miner whose courage and endurance is tested during the depression, won the Whitbread Novel Award. The Big Man (1985), is the story of Dan Scoular, an unemployed man who turns to bare-knuckle fighting to make a living. Both novels feature typical McIlvanney characters - tough, often violent, men locked in a struggle with their own nature and background.
His novel, The Kiln (1996), is the story of Tam Docherty, the grandson of the hero of Docherty. It won the Saltire Society
Saltire Society
The Saltire Society was established in 1936 to encourage everything that might improve the quality of life in Scotland and restore the country to its proper place as a creative force in European civilisation....
Scottish Book of the Year Award. The Big Man (1985) was made into a film starring Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson
Liam John Neeson, OBE is an Irish actor who has been nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA and three Golden Globe Awards.He has starred in a number of notable roles including Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List, Michael Collins in Michael Collins, Peyton Westlake in Darkman, Jean Valjean in Les...
and featuring Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
. Laidlaw
Laidlaw (novel)
Laidlaw is the first novel of a series of crime books by William McIlvanney. It features DI Laidlaw and DC Harkness, his assigned assistant, in their attempts to find the brutal sex related murderer of a Glasgow teenager...
(1977), The Papers of Tony Veitch (1983) and Strange Loyalties (1991) are crime novels featuring Inspector Jack Laidlaw. Laidlaw
Laidlaw (novel)
Laidlaw is the first novel of a series of crime books by William McIlvanney. It features DI Laidlaw and DC Harkness, his assigned assistant, in their attempts to find the brutal sex related murderer of a Glasgow teenager...
is considered to be the first book of Tartan Noir
Tartan Noir
Tartan Noir is a form of crime fiction particular to Scotland and Scottish writers. It has its roots in Scottish literature but borrows elements from elsewhere, including from the work of American crime writers of the second half of the twentieth century, especially of the hard-boiled genre, and of...
, despite the author calling the genre "ersatz".
William McIlvanney is also an acclaimed poet, and is the author of The Longships in Harbour: Poems (1970) and Surviving the Shipwreck (1991), which also contains pieces of journalism, including an essay about T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot
Thomas Stearns "T. S." Eliot OM was a playwright, literary critic, and arguably the most important English-language poet of the 20th century. Although he was born an American he moved to the United Kingdom in 1914 and was naturalised as a British subject in 1927 at age 39.The poem that made his...
. His short story "Dreaming" (published in Walking Wounded in 1989) was filmed by BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
in 1990 and won a BAFTA. His brother is the sports journalist Hugh McIlvanney
Hugh McIlvanney
Hugh McIlvanney is an award-winning, Scottish sports writer. He currently holds a long-running column on the back page of The Sunday Times sports section.- Life and career :...
.
He was the narrator of the BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
football documentary Only a Game? in 1986, and the official history of Celtic football club in 1988.
Works (among others)
- Remedy is None - 1967
- A Gift from Nessus - 1968
- The Longships in HarbourThe Longships in HarbourThe Longships in Harbour was first published in 1970. It is a collection of poetry by William McIlvanney, a Scottish writer better known for his novels, and particularly crime fiction....
- 1970 (poetry) - Docherty - 1975
- LaidlawLaidlaw (novel)Laidlaw is the first novel of a series of crime books by William McIlvanney. It features DI Laidlaw and DC Harkness, his assigned assistant, in their attempts to find the brutal sex related murderer of a Glasgow teenager...
- 1977 - The Papers of Tony Veitch - 1983
- These Words: Weddings and After - 1984
- The Big ManThe Big ManThis article is about the film. For the saxophonist with that nickname, see Clarence Clemons.The Big Man is a 1990 film produced by Miramax Films. It starred Liam Neeson, Joanne Whalley and Billy Connolly and the film's score was composed by Ennio Morricone. It was featured in FlixMix's Ultimate...
- 1985 - In Through the Head - 1988
- Walking Wounded - 1989 (short stories)
- Shades of Grey – Glasgow 1956-1987 - 1990
- Strange Loyalties - 1991
- Surviving the Shipwreck - 1991
- The Kiln - 1996
Prizes and Awards
- 1967 Geoffrey Faber Memorial PrizeGeoffrey Faber Memorial PrizeThe Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize is a British literary prize established in 1963 in tribute to Geoffrey Faber, founder and first Chairman publisher Faber & Faber...
for Remedy is None - 1968 Scottish Arts Council Book AwardScottish Arts CouncilThe Scottish Arts Council is a Scottish public body that distributes funding from the Scottish Government, and is the leading national organisation for the funding, development and promotion of the arts in Scotland...
for A Gift from Nessus - 1975 Scottish Arts Council Book Award for Docherty
- 1975 Whitbread Novel Award for Docherty
- 1977 Crime Writers' AssociationCrime Writers' AssociationThe Crime Writers Association is a writers' association in the United Kingdom. Founded by John Creasey in 1953, it is currently chaired by Peter James and claims 450+ members....
Macallan Silver Dagger for Fiction for Laidlaw - 1983 Crime Writers Association Macallan Silver Dagger for Fiction for The Papers of Tony Veitch
- 1990 Glasgow Herald People's Prize for Walking Wounded
- 1990 BAFTA (screen adaptation): "Dreaming"
- 1996 Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year Award for The Kiln
External links
McIlvanney's work analysed:- Writing Scotland: William McIlvanney: Writing Scotland, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Scotland - Natural Loyalties: The Work of William McIlvanney: Association for Scottish Literary Studies
- William McIlvanney’s Laidlaw Novels: Association for Scottish Literary Studies
- Newton, Ken. "William McIlvanney": Literary Encyclopedia
- William McIlvanney: The Write Stuff, National Library of ScotlandNational Library of ScotlandThe National Library of Scotland is the legal deposit library of Scotland and is one of the country's National Collections. It is based in a collection of buildings in Edinburgh city centre. The headquarters is on George IV Bridge, between the Old Town and the university quarter...