Author and UOL alumna Dame Hilary Mantel dies aged 70

World-renowned author and University of London alumna and honorary graduate Dame Hilary Mantel has died at the age of 70.

Ms Mantel, the only British author to win the Man Booker prize twice and regarded as one of the finest authors of her generation, passed away peacefully surrounded by close friends and family.

Having studied Law at LSE as an undergraduate between 1970 and 1971, living in College Hall on Malet Street, Ms Mantel maintained close links with the University. In 2011 she spoke at the IHR conference, “Novel approaches: from academic history to historical fiction.” In 2013 she was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of London.

Ms Mantel was also awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by LSE. In 2015 she was a guest of Birkbeck, talking to students about her acclaimed novels including Wolf Hall. In 2020, the BBC broadcast a documentary about Ms Mantel in which she was filmed at Senate House.