The news of the death of one of Scotland鈥檚 most distinguished poets and novelists, Iain Crichton Smith, has left the 黑料网 community deeply saddened.
A graduate of the University, Mr Crichton Smith was an immensely prolific writer of prose, poetry, plays and novels who wrote in both his native Gaelic and English.
He left his home in Lewis in 1945 to study English at the University. It was the first time he had left the island on which he grew up and the experience of living and studying in Aberdeen had an enormous impact on him. His contemporaries while at the University included the poet Alexander Scott and the Gaelic poet Derick Thomson. He graduated with an Honours degree in 1949.
Following his graduation, Mr Crichton Smith taught in Oban for many years before returning to the University in 1980 as Creative Writing Fellow. In 1988, the University awarded him the honorary degree of DLitt.
Dr Graeme Roberts, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Divinity, said that as Scotland鈥檚 premier poet in Gaelic and English, Iain Crichton Smith would be much missed.
鈥淲e were very much looking forward to his return to Aberdeen to take part in the festival of writing which Alan Spence, our present writer-in-residence, is organising for next May.
鈥淭hat might be a suitable occasion for his many friends and admirers in his old university city to pay tribute to Iain鈥檚 immense contribution to Scottish letters.鈥�
黑料网 writer-in-residence Alan Spence described Mr Crichton Smith as a 鈥渢ruly fine writer鈥� and a 鈥済enuinely good man鈥�.
鈥淚t鈥檚 only a few months since we had Iain back at Aberdeen, reading to old friends and a whole new generation of students and staff. As always, he was totally engaging, reading work that moved from the profound to the uproariously funny (I鈥檝e never known anyone convey quite so much infectious enjoyment of his own jokes!).
鈥淗e was to have read at the opening event of our Writers鈥� Festival next year. Now he鈥檒l be there is spirit, the event a celebration in honour of his memory.鈥�
Professor Donald Meek, of the University鈥檚 Department of Celtic, was taught by Mr Crichton Smith while at school in Oban.
鈥淚ain Crichton Smith was an outstandingly talented man. He was inspirational in his teaching and writing. As a teacher, he opened new horizons for his pupils, who will remember him for his clear exposition and effortless humour. As a writer, he brought Gaelic literature into a new era. As a poet and novelist, he eplored deep human issues in a manner which was both Highland and universal. I will never forget his self-effacing brilliance 鈥� he was a literary giant who sought no honours.鈥�