Tributes have poured in for the Irish author and poet, Seamus Deane, who has died at the age of 81.
Deane passed away at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on Wednesday after a short illness.
Born in Derry, 1940, Deane attended the famous St Columb's College where he became close friends with future Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney.
Upon graduation from St Columb's, Deane then attended Queens University Belfast and Pembroke College in Cambridge.
After graduating from University, he became a Professor of Modern English and American Literature at UCD. Deane also had extensive experience of lecturing both in the UK and America.
His notable works of poetry include Gradual Wars (1972), which won him the AE Memorial Prize, Rumours (1977), History Lessons (1983) and Selected Poems (1988).
President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, paid tribute to Deane, writing: "The death of Seamus Deane is an incalculable loss to Irish critical writing, indeed Irish writing in general, as his passing represents not only the loss of a foremost critic but of a distinguished poet, novelist and internationally acclaimed university teacher."
Deane was nominated for the Booker Prize in 1996 for his first novel, Reading in the Dark. It has since been translated into over 20 languages.
The Estate of Seamus Heaney has also paid tribute to Deane, tweeting: "We are incredibly saddened to hear of the death of the poet, critic and academic Seamus Deane.
"He was one of SH's oldest friends, from their school days at St Columb's College in Derry, through the rest of their lives. Rest in peace."
Deane also held the position of director of the Field Day theatre company, as well as editor of the Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing.
Deane is survived by his partner, Emer Nolan, daughter Iseult, his first wife Marion and their 4 children, Éimear, Ciarán Cormac and Conor.
