|
|||
| Thursday, July 28, 2005 | |||
| MALORIE
BLACKMAN |
|||
|
A former student at Thames Polytechnic, which was one of the predecessor institutions of the University of Greenwich, she worked in computing before taking up a full-time writing career in 1990. Initially her books were based on computing and technology including her first novel for children titled Hacker. Her repertoire also now extends to adventure stories, science fiction, ghost tales and picture books, as well as teenage novels. Malorie has also written scripts for television including adaptations of her own books. Tony Mann, Senior Lecturer in the university’s School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences says: “Malorie uses her computing experience to include technological issues, and I’m delighted to say that, unlike some writers, the computing part of her novels are reliable and accurate.” Her best known book is her 2001 novel Noughts and Crosses, the first in a much lauded trilogy. Set in a land divided between the black, power-owning Crosses and the oppressed, white Noughts, the book effectively turns upside down the divisions still found in society today. The sequel, Knife Edge, was published in 2004 and the final novel in the trilogy Checkmate has just been published. The Independent described her as “Britain’s leading black writer of children’s fiction”. Noughts and Crosses was one of the runners-up for the much coveted Carnegie Medal and in 2003 was chosen by viewers as No.61 out of the top 100 titles in the BBC’s Big Read Poll. She is also the only author to have won the Young Telegraph’s Fully Booked Award twice; once for Hacker and then for Thief. As well as her writing, Malorie carries out school and library visits holding creative writing workshops for children and adults interested in writing. She was joined by 120 graduating students from the University of Greenwich Computing & Mathematical Sciences at the ceremony in the Chapel of St.Peter and St.Paul at the Old Royal Naval College. Her honorary doctorate was presented by the Rt Hon the Lord Holme of Cheltenham CBE, Chancellor of the University of Greenwich. The eulogist was Tony Mann, Head of the Mathematical Sciences Department in the School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences. Malorie Blackman wore a gown of blue and gold damask silk and a Tudor-style academic bonnet. Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals of distinction who have made a major contribution to the work of the university, or who have earned prominence for activities associated more widely with education, business, culture, creative work and public service.
A jpeg photo is available on request from the Press Office |
|||
|
Malorie
Blackman, award-winning children’s author, was awarded an Honorary
Doctor of Letters (HonDLitt) by the University of Greenwich on Friday,
July 22, 2005.