P.D. James

Women of the Year is very sorry to hear that crime writer and Life Peer P.D. James, passed away today (Thursday 27 November) at the age of 94. P.D. James was recognised at the 2012 Women of the Year Lunch & Awards and awarded the Sacla’ Women of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lady James created Adam Dalgliesh, the famously elegant, intelligent detective, who appeared in fourteen novels. Millions of copies of her books have been sold worldwide, and many adapted for television and film. The author’s best known novels include The Children of Men, The Murder Room and Pride and Prejudice spin-off Death Comes to Pemberley.

On receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2012, Lady James said: “I am proud and privileged to represent my sex today as Woman of the Year. During my long life I have seen remarkable and far-reaching changes in the influence, status and achievement of women, and though there is much to be done, not least in the fields of business and politics, it is right that once a year we celebrate together what women have contributed in so many areas of our national life. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. This is a day I shall never forget.”

The Award was introduced by broadcaster Sue MacGregor CBE who gave her citation: “The energy and spirit of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award shows that age is no barrier to success. This year’s award winner has, for six decades, continued to enthral millions around the world through her books.”

Our thoughts are with Lady James’ family and friends. The Guardian has a full obituary – ‘PD James, queen of crime fiction, dies aged 94’.

[Image by Janie Airey]