Professor Chinua Achebe Passes On At 82

Globally famous Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe, has died. Achebe, most known for his 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart ― an effort that has been translated into more than 50 languages and has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide ― died on Thursday night at an hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. He was 82 years.

Until his death, the poet, professor and critic was a David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University, Rhode Island, U.S.

He was one of Brown University’s most respected teachers, for having played a “seminal role” in the founding and development of African literature.

“He continues to be considered among the most significant world writers. He is most well-known for the groundbreaking 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart, a novel still considered to be required reading the world over,” the university wrote of the Anambra-born literary icon on its official site.

“Achebe’s global significance lies not only in his talent and recognition as a writer, but also as a critical thinker and essayist who has written extensively on questions of the role of culture in Africa and the social and political significance of aesthetics and analysis of the postcolonial state in Africa.”

Asides Things Fall Apart, widely believed to be the most read book in modern African literature, his other novels, such Arrow of God, No Longer at Ease, Anthills of the Savannah, and A man of the People, have equally been hugely successful.

However, his latest book, There was a country ― an autobiographical account of his experiences during Nigeria’s Civil War of 1967 to 1970 — was roundly criticised back home, especially by leading figures of other ethnics groups