Michael Irwin (author)

Thomas Arthur Michael Irwin, (born 3 May 1934) is a British Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Kent[1] and author of several works of fiction, as well as scholarly books. His 2013 novel, The Skull and the Nightingale [2] is, according to WorldCat, held in more than 500 libraries.[3]

Early life and education

Irwin was born in London, and was educated at William Ellis School, Camden and Exeter College, Oxford. He earned a BLitt and MA.

Career

Irwin taught at John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (1958–59), the University of Tokyo (1961-63), the University of Lodz (1963–65) and Smith College, Massachusetts (1965–67) before joining the newly established University of Kent in 1967 where he became Professor of English.

During his career Irwin wrote three books related to the field of English literature. He wrote introductions to a number of editions of classic Victorian novels. He also wrote two novels early in his career.

In 2001 Irwin retired, becoming Professor Emeritus.[4] He served as the Chairman of the Thomas Hardy Society from 2005 until 2008. He contributed criticism and analysis of Hardy's works to several books and journals.[5]

Irwin also translated a number of opera libretti, mostly for Kent Opera and wrote the lyrics for Brunel (opera project) and other original musical works.[6][7]

In 2013 he wrote a novel, The Skull and the Nightingale, which has received a number of positive reviews.[8][9]

Bibliography

Fiction:

  • Working Orders (Andre Deutsch, 1969)
  • Striker (Andre Deutsch, 1985)[10]
  • The Skull and the Nightingale (Harper Collins, 2013)[11][12][13]

Non-fiction:

  • Henry Fielding: the Tentative Realist (Clarendon Press, 1967)
  • Picturing: Description and Illusion in the Nineteenth-Century Novel (George Allen and Unwin, 1979)
  • Reading Hardy’s Landscapes (Macmillan, 2000)[14]

Personal life

Irwin has four children, a daughter from his first marriage to Donia Etherington, and two daughters and a son with his wife Stella. The couple lived together in Canterbury, Kent, until her death in 2015.

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References
  1. "Anarchy in Wonderland: Vivienne Westwood's anti-capitalist take on Alice's Adventures". New Statesman, By Liv Constable-Maxwell 13 July 2015
  2. "Review: The Skull and the Nightingale". Historical Novel Society.
  3. "The skull and the nightingale". WorldCat report.
  4. "Barbara’s Picks, Aug. 2013, Pt. 4: Ghost Brides, 1700s Debauchery, and a Trip to Calcutta". Library Journal, By Barbara Hoffert on February 18, 2013
  5. "Faciality and Sensation in Hardy's The Return of the Native". William A, Cohen, University of Maryland.
  6. School of Divinity University of St Andrews Ian Bradley Reader in Practical Theology and Church History (7 April 2005). Oh Joy! Oh Rapture! : The Enduring Phenomenon of Gilbert and Sullivan: The Enduring Phenomenon of Gilbert and Sullivan. Oxford University Press, USA. pp. 155–. ISBN 978-0-19-534719-7.
  7. "The Reflective Conservatoire - Universitaire Pers Leuven". The Dutch Journal of Music Theory. Vol 12 No 1 p. 155
  8. "New novels from the eighteenth century". The Times Literary Supplement, Norma Clarke
  9. "The Skull and the Nightingale". Portland Book Review, Whitney Smyth, February 13, 2014.
  10. WSC 167 Jan 01. "When Saturday Comes - Always afraid to miss".
  11. "THE SKULL AND THE NIGHTINGALE". Kirkus Reviews.
  12. "The Skull And The Nightingale". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
  13. "Fiction Book Review: The Skull and the Nightingale by Michael Irwin. Morrow, $25.99 (416p)" ISBN 978-0-06-220235-2. PublishersWeekly.com.
  14. "A Short Bibliographical Survey of Thomas Hardy Studies". The Victorian Web, Andrzej Diniejko
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