Professor Fay Weldon: 1931-2023
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Professor Fay Weldon: 1931-2023
Thursday, 5 January, 2023The acclaimed English author, essayist and playwright Professor Fay Weldon has died at the age of 91. Professor Weldon received an Honorary Degree from Bath Spa University in 1999, and was appointed its Professor of Creative Writing in 2012, where she shared an office with English novelist Professor Maggie Gee.
In 2021, just prior to her retirement, Professor Weldon was awarded Emeritus status at the University. Speaking of her time at Bath Spa, she said:
“It has been a complete pleasure to work at Bath Spa University. I hope very much that I have made a difference, however small, to its working. I have really enjoyed the company of staff, admin and students, and am very happy to know that I can continue the association.”
Prior to joining Bath Spa, in 2001 Professor Weldon received a CBE for her services to literature.
Her work includes over thirty novels including The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, seven collections of short stories, several children's books, non-fiction books, magazine articles and a number of plays written for television, radio and the stage, including the pilot episode for the television series Upstairs, Downstairs.
As a respected writer in the media sphere, Professor Weldon also wrote for The Times, The Guardian, The Mail on Sunday and The New Statesman.
Bath Spa University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sue Rigby, said:
“The fondest of farewells to the astonishing novelist Fay Weldon, who taught with us for many years and who enriched the lives of so many of those she taught. Her shining intellect and personal kindness will be much missed by all of us at Bath Spa University.”
Richard Kerridge, Course Director for MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, who taught alongside Fay for many years until she retired in 2021 said:
"I have received many messages, both yesterday and today, from former students talking about how wonderful it was to be taught by Fay, not only for her practical knowledge but also her kindness and encouragement as many of the students were in awe of her. She was a warm and funny colleague who made an extraordinary contribution to literature during her life."