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The Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship

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The Caledonian Mercury

Tributes have been paid to one of Creative Scotland’s most respected and senior officers, Dr Gavin Wallace, who died at the age of 54. He was a central and one of the best-known figures in Scotland’s literature scene, head of literature and publishing since Creative Scotland’s formation in 2010. Before that, he had served for eight years as head of literature at the former Scottish Arts Council, where he’d been a literature officer since 1997.

Dr Gavin WallaceIn tribute to his lifelong passion, commitment, wisdom and support for Scotland’s literary community, Creative Scotland and the Association for Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS) has announced details of the Dr. Gavin Wallace Fellowship. The annual award will enable a writer to take time out of their usual environment and embark upon a year-long literary adventure to develop their practice.

The details of the first Fellowship, to be hosted by the Association for Scottish Literary Studies, will be announced in shortly. In subsequent years the fellowship will be hosted by an organisation which will be selected through an open application process.

Iain Munro, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland, described Gavin Wallace as “a man of grace and intellect”, who was “dedicated to the health of literature in Scotland. We are deeply saddened by his passing but, with the blessing of his family, we are honoured to carry on his name through this fellowship. Gavin had a close relationship with Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow, especially amongst the faculty many of whom were lifelong friends. It is fitting, therefore, that the ASLS, will host the inaugural Dr. Gavin Wallace Fellowship”

Dr Walker had worked as a teacher, lecturer, critic, journalist, editor and broadcaster. He was an Associate Lecturer in Literature and the Humanities at the Open University in Scotland from 1991-2001. He also carried out graduate and postgraduate study, in English and Scottish Literature, at the University of Edinburgh.

Prof. Ian Brown, President of the Association for Scottish Literary Studies, said: “Dr. Gavin Wallace was not just an outstanding Director of Literature for the Scottish Arts Council and Creative Scotland, but a man whose love of good writing shone through. He was not just an officer in a funding body to the writers of Scotland, but a friend, a source of wisdom and support and one whose wry humour carried many of us through tough times. The ASLS as the international lead organisation for the study and celebration of Scottish literature worldwide is delighted to be able to welcome the first Dr. Gavin Wallace Fellow to work with us over the next year.”

Dr Wallace is believed to have been off work for some time with an illness. He is survived by his partner Pauline and their two sons.

The Caledonian Mercury


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