In The News

Writer Josephine Hart passes away

Writer Josephine Hart passes away

The writer Josephine Hart has passed away. She was 67.

Her debut novel Damage, which was published in 1991, sold more than one million copies. 

The novel about passion and betrayal was made into a film which starred Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche.

Her other works include Sin (1992), Oblivion (1995) and The Reconstructionist (2001).

Ms. Hart said poets had shaped her life and it was poetry that she promoted with a strong passion. 

She founded the West End Poetry Hour at the British Library which involves many well known actors reading poetry.

She believed literature could change lives.

Speaking on the BBC last year she said: “An inspiring English teacher changes lives. Whatever you do in life literature can either help you enjoy or endure life. It’s a kingdom for everyone. You’re given the keys at school or, sadly, not at all.”

Born in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ms. Hart experienced tragedy at an early age with three of her siblings dying within a short number of years.

She moved to London when she was 22 and worked for Haymarket Publishing, eventually becoming a director of the company.

Ms. Hart had been battling cancer for some time but had kept the illness secret.

She was married to Lord Maurice Saatchi.

 

View previous In the News items: Famous painter and sculptor passes away, Patients could be asked to state how they want to die, Hero of the Battle of the Bulge passes away, Driving force behind Top of the Pops dance troupe passes away, Tributes are paid to American musician and poet, Last of the original surrealist artists passes away, Tributes are paid to former top cricketer, Irish mountaineer dies during bid to climb Mount Everest, Former top sports producer and director passes away, Two young men die in weekend road accidents, Singer Kathy Kirby passes away, Former Irish Prime Minister to be given a State Funeral, Actor Edward Hardwicke passes away, Tributes are paid to leading businessman, Olympic champion dies in suspected suicide, Retailing trailblazer Leo Kahn passes away, Belfast pensioner passes away aged 100, Trumpeter in Penny Lane recording passes away, Former Northern Ireland Office Minister passes away, Tributes are paid to top cyclist killed during race event, Founding member of the Walker Brothers passes away, Golf legend Seve Ballesteros passes away, Tributes are paid to the actor and director Jackie Cooper, Remains of RAF officer are returned by North Korea, Last veteran of the First World War passes away, Mummified body of Hollywood actress found in her home, Boxing legend Henry Cooper passes away, Tributes are paid to travel writer and former comedian, Famous mountain climber dies in accident, The inventor of the teleprompter passes away, Tributes are paid to punk singer Poly Styrene, Former Unionist MP Bill Craig passes away, So called father of the compact disc passes away, Comedy writer John Sullivan passes away, Victoria Cross holder Tul Bahadur Pun passes away, Man dies in early morning road accident, Former Doctor Who actress passes away, Human remains are found at a house in Belfast, Oldest man in the world passes away, Pensioner dies days after road accident, Comedy actor Trevor Bannister passes away, Cyclist dies in early morning road accident, Director of Arsenal football club passes away, Funeral takes place 190 years after execution

 

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.