Alexander McCall Smith - Writers, Timeline and Family
Alexander McCall Smith's Personal Details
Alexander McCall Smith is a Rhodesian-born Scottish author and a Medical Law professor
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | August 24, 1948 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Famous | Writers, Scottish Men, Writers |
| Spouses | Elizabeth |
| Childrens | Emily, Lucy |
| Birth Place | Bulawayo, Rhodesia |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Born in | Bulawayo, Rhodesia |
| Famous as | British writer |
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Alexander McCall Smith's photo
Who is Alexander McCall Smith?
One of the most popular and prolific authors of the 21st century, Alexander McCall Smith is a much admired literary figure and a Medical Law Professor. One of the leading bestselling authors on the literary scene, he is best known for his detective, mystery series of novels, ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, which has become an international phenomenon. He worked in Africa, where he co-founded and taught law in the University of Botswana. In a career span of over twenty years, he has authored more than 50 books, which include many children’s books, The Sunday Philosophy Club, 44 Scotland Street, Portuguese Irregular Verbs, and Corduroy Mansions - an international bestseller. His novels have gained international acclaim and have been featured on the New York Times bestseller list. Many of his novels have been adapted into television series and radio broadcasts. He has also authored a series of academic works, including, ‘The Criminal Law of Botswana’, which is one of the most important books on the country's legal system.
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Childhood & Early Life
Alexander McCall Smith was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, which at that time was a British Colony, where he attended the Christian Brothers College, a boy’s high school.
He earned a Ph.D. in law from the University of Edinburgh, after which he started working as a teacher at the Queen's University, Belfast. Here, he won a literary competition in the children’s books category.
In 1981, he went to Southern Africa to teach law at The University of Botswana. During his tenure there, he co-wrote the book, ‘The Criminal Law of Botswana’.
Career
In 1984, he published children’s book titled, ‘The Perfect Hamburger and Other Delicious Stories’, which was a collection of three stories, ‘The Perfect Hamburger’, ‘The Spaghetti Tangle’ and ‘The Doughnut Ring’.
In 1991, ‘Children of Wax: African Folk Tales’, a collection of a series of 27 short stories was published. It was inspired from the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe.
In 1997, he came out with the short comic novel titled, ‘Portuguese Irregular Verbs’, which is a part of his ‘Professor Dr von Igelfeld Entertainment’ series of books. This novel had eight chapters.
Published in 1999, ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’, the first of his series of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, was based on the murder of a 14 year old girl in Mochudi, Botswana.
In 2000, he published the second instalment of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, titled ‘Tears of the Giraffe’. The novel’s main protagonist detective ‘Mma Precious Ramotswe’ investigates a paternity case and the case of an American woman’s missing son.
In 2001, he published the third book of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, titled, ‘Morality for Beautiful Girls’. The plot revolves around mysterious orphans and ‘Mma Precious Ramotswes’ laid back fianc�.
In 2002, he came out with ‘The Kalahari Typing School for Men’, which is the fourth book of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series. The novel deals with ‘The Molefelo Case’ and ‘The Selelipeng Case’.
Published in 2003, ‘The Full Cupboard of Life’ is the fifth of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, which won the Saga Award for ‘wit’. In this novel, Mma Precious Ramotswe helps a wealthy woman choose a suitor.
In 2004, he published the first novel of his ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series, titled ‘The Sunday Philosophy Club’. The book received mixed reviews from book critics.
In 2004, he also published, ‘In the Company of Cheerful Ladies’, which was the sixth novel from the ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series. The plot revolves around a married ‘Mma Precious Ramotswe’ and her husband who are troubled from past shadows.
In 2005, he came out with the novel, ‘Friends, Lovers, Chocolate’, which was the second book in the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series. The book did not receive good reviews and was criticised for its slow pace.
In 2006, he published the third of the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series of novels, ‘The Right Attitude to Rain’, which received positive reviews. His seventh installment from ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, ‘Blue Shoes and Happiness’ was also released the same year.
In 2007, he published his eighth of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series novel, ‘The Good Husband of Zebra Drive’ and also published the fourth book of the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series of novels - ‘The Careful Use of Compliments’.
In 2009, he published his first online novel titled, ‘Corduroy Mansions’. This online edition enabled readers to interact with each other and the author.
His upcoming book, from ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, titled ‘The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon’ will be published in 2013.
Major Works
‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series is one of his best known works, which has sold over 20 million copies. The series became an international phenomenon and was adapted into a TV series by the BBC and HBO. It was also dramatized for BBC Radio 4.
‘Corduroy Mansions’ is an international bestselling series of novels which was featured on the New York Times bestseller list. The series was also declared one of the ‘International Books of the Year and the Millennium’ by the Times Literary Supplement.
Awards & Achievements
In 2004, he received the British Book Awards.
In 2007, he received the ‘Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ for his contributions in the field of literature.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1982, he married Elizabeth Parry, a physician, and the couple have two daughters - Lucy and Emily. They live together in Edinburgh, Scotland.
He also enjoys playing the bassoon, a musical instrument, and is the co-founder of ‘The Really Terrible Orchestra’, a British amateur orchestra group.
Trivia
This acclaimed Scottish author is a tea lover and never leaves home without his teapot.
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Alexander McCall Smith biography timelines
- // 24th Aug 1948Alexander McCall Smith was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, which at that time was a British Colony, where he attended the Christian Brothers College, a boy’s high school.
- // 1981In 1981, he went to Southern Africa to teach law at The University of Botswana. During his tenure there, he co-wrote the book, ‘The Criminal Law of Botswana’.
- // 1982In 1982, he married Elizabeth Parry, a physician, and the couple have two daughters - Lucy and Emily. They live together in Edinburgh, Scotland.
- // 1984In 1984, he published children’s book titled, ‘The Perfect Hamburger and Other Delicious Stories’, which was a collection of three stories, ‘The Perfect Hamburger’, ‘The Spaghetti Tangle’ and ‘The Doughnut Ring’.
- // 1991In 1991, ‘Children of Wax: African Folk Tales’, a collection of a series of 27 short stories was published. It was inspired from the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe.
- // 1997In 1997, he came out with the short comic novel titled, ‘Portuguese Irregular Verbs’, which is a part of his ‘Professor Dr von Igelfeld Entertainment’ series of books. This novel had eight chapters.
- // 1999Published in 1999, ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’, the first of his series of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, was based on the murder of a 14 year old girl in Mochudi, Botswana.
- // 2000In 2000, he published the second instalment of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, titled ‘Tears of the Giraffe’. The novel’s main protagonist detective ‘Mma Precious Ramotswe’ investigates a paternity case and the case of an American woman’s missing son.
- // 2001In 2001, he published the third book of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, titled, ‘Morality for Beautiful Girls’. The plot revolves around mysterious orphans and ‘Mma Precious Ramotswes’ laid back fianc�.
- // 2002In 2002, he came out with ‘The Kalahari Typing School for Men’, which is the fourth book of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series. The novel deals with ‘The Molefelo Case’ and ‘The Selelipeng Case’.
- // 2003Published in 2003, ‘The Full Cupboard of Life’ is the fifth of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, which won the Saga Award for ‘wit’. In this novel, Mma Precious Ramotswe helps a wealthy woman choose a suitor.
- // 2004In 2004, he published the first novel of his ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series, titled ‘The Sunday Philosophy Club’. The book received mixed reviews from book critics.
- // 2004In 2004, he also published, ‘In the Company of Cheerful Ladies’, which was the sixth novel from the ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series. The plot revolves around a married ‘Mma Precious Ramotswe’ and her husband who are troubled from past shadows.
- // 2004In 2004, he received the British Book Awards.
- // 2005In 2005, he came out with the novel, ‘Friends, Lovers, Chocolate’, which was the second book in the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series. The book did not receive good reviews and was criticised for its slow pace.
- // 2006In 2006, he published the third of the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series of novels, ‘The Right Attitude to Rain’, which received positive reviews. His seventh installment from ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, ‘Blue Shoes and Happiness’ was also released the same year.
- // 2007In 2007, he published his eighth of ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series novel, ‘The Good Husband of Zebra Drive’ and also published the fourth book of the ‘Sunday Philosophy Club’ series of novels - ‘The Careful Use of Compliments’.
- // 2007In 2007, he received the ‘Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ for his contributions in the field of literature.
- // 2009In 2009, he published his first online novel titled, ‘Corduroy Mansions’. This online edition enabled readers to interact with each other and the author.
- // 2013His upcoming book, from ‘The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency’ series, titled ‘The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon’ will be published in 2013.
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Alexander McCall Smith's FAQ
What is Alexander McCall Smith birthday?
Alexander McCall Smith was born at 1948-08-24
Where is Alexander McCall Smith's birth place?
Alexander McCall Smith was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia
What is Alexander McCall Smith nationalities?
Alexander McCall Smith's nationalities is Scottish
Who is Alexander McCall Smith spouses?
Alexander McCall Smith's spouses is Elizabeth
Who is Alexander McCall Smith childrens?
Alexander McCall Smith's childrens is Emily, Lucy
What is Alexander McCall Smith's sun sign?
Alexander McCall Smith is Virgo
How famous is Alexander McCall Smith?
Alexander McCall Smith is famouse as British writer