Allan Massie obit

Acclaimed novelist Allan Massie dies aged 87

 

He was not on the list.

Acclaimed novelist, journalist and literary critic Allan Massie has died aged 87, his son has confirmed.

Throughout his career Massie wrote 40 books, including about 20 novels. His work included historical books about roman emperors Augustus and Caesar, as well as wartime novels like A Question of Loyalties, The Sins of the Father and Shadows of Empire.

He also had a long career in journalism and spent 50 years as the Scotsman's chief literary critic before stepping back from the role in January due to serious illness.

Massie's family said he died peacefully on Tuesday afternoon surrounded by his children.

According to his son, the writer Alex Massie, his father had "a good and gentle end to a good and gentle life".

He said their family home was always full of books and newspapers, and that Massie worked daily at his typewriter for most of his life.

Posting on Substack, Alex Massie said: "He was a good and kind man and there are many younger writers and others for whom he has been a source of encouragement and much else besides.

"He was also - and forgive me for stressing this but it does feel important - a great father. We shall miss him greatly while being consoled that all those words do form and furnish a kind of self-made monument."

Born in Signapore in 1938 and raised in Aberdeenshire, Massie studied at Cambridge's Trinity College before settling in the Scottish Borders, where he lived for more than 40 years.

Over the decades he also wrote for The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times, The Scottish Daily Mail, The Glasgow Herald, The Spectator and many other publications.

His journalism covered a wide range of subjects, from literature, politics and even rugby.

In addition to his novels, he published biographies, books on Scottish culture and history, and studies of well‑known authors such as Muriel Spark and Eric Linklater.

Massie continued writing until earlier this year, when he stepped back due to what he called his "wretched cancer."

Author Ian Rankin led tributes to his fellow writer.

On X, he said: "Allan Massie was hugely important to me. One of my very first readers and champions.

"He was also an underappreciated novelist, a sharp but humane literary critic, a gentleman."