Gore Vidal, 2009 in NYC (image by David Shankbone via Wikipedia)
Sad news this morning: Gore Vidal, 86, has passed away as a result of complications from pneumonia. The witty, sardonic writer had a prolific career that included the publication of more than 25 novels, 8 plays, 14 screenplays, and numerous works of nonfiction and essays. The NY Times called him an “Augustan figure who believed himself to be the last of a breed, and he was probably right.” Vidal was also a well known political activist and critic. Besides his accomplishments as a writer and intellectual, Vidal was a popular public figure whose sharp tongued sound bytes were reminiscent of Twain. (“Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little.”) It’s hard to choose, but I think my favorite Vidal quote is: “Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” Words to live by.
After the jump are links to obituaries, interviews, and quotes. RIP, Mr. Vidal.
Prolific, Elegant, Acerbic Writer [NY Times]
Gore Vidal, US writer and contrarian, dies aged 86 [The Guardian]
Gore Vidal dies; imperious gadfly and prolific, graceful writer was 86 [Washington Post]
Gore Vidal, American Writer and Cultural Critic, Dies [NPR]
Five Decades of Writing and Reviews [Time]
Read a 2007 essay in Smithsonian by Gore Vidal, last writer of his kind [Smithsonian]
Gore Vidal Archive [Esquire]
Gore Vidal, The Art of Fiction No. 50 (1974) [The Paris Review]
Gore Vidal Interviewed by Melvyn Bragg (2010) [New Statesman]
A Conversation with Gore Vidal [The Atlantic]
Gore Vidal: In quotes [BBC]
Gore Vidal Quotes: 26 of the Best [The Guardian]
Tags: Gore Vidal, News, Obituary
