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Author of Flashman stories dies Author of Flashman stories dies
(30 minutes later)
The novelist George MacDonald Fraser, author of the Flashman adventure stories, has died aged 82, his publisher has said.The novelist George MacDonald Fraser, author of the Flashman adventure stories, has died aged 82, his publisher has said.
The popular books saw womanising anti-hero Sir Harry Flashman, fight his way around the British Empire.The popular books saw womanising anti-hero Sir Harry Flashman, fight his way around the British Empire.
MacDonald Fraser, who was appointed an OBE in 1999, also wrote the screenplay for James Bond film Octopussy.MacDonald Fraser, who was appointed an OBE in 1999, also wrote the screenplay for James Bond film Octopussy.
The Carlisle-born journalist turned author, who lived on the Isle of Man, had fought cancer for several years.The Carlisle-born journalist turned author, who lived on the Isle of Man, had fought cancer for several years.
He was married and had three children.He was married and had three children.
Flash of inspirationFlash of inspiration
MacDonald Fraser served as a solder in Burma and India during World War II and later rose to be deputy editor of the Glasgow Herald newspaper.MacDonald Fraser served as a solder in Burma and India during World War II and later rose to be deputy editor of the Glasgow Herald newspaper.
He was still working there when the first Flashman book was published in 1969.He was still working there when the first Flashman book was published in 1969.
A further 10 followed, the last in 1994. A further 11 followed, the last in 2005.
The inspiration for Sir Harry Flashman came from the 19th century novel, Tom Brown's Schooldays, where the character features as the cowardly bully who torments the hero, Tom.The inspiration for Sir Harry Flashman came from the 19th century novel, Tom Brown's Schooldays, where the character features as the cowardly bully who torments the hero, Tom.
George MacDonald Fraser wrote 11 Flashman novelsGeorge MacDonald Fraser wrote 11 Flashman novels
MacDonald Fraser based his tales on the idea that Flashman's "memoirs" had been unearthed in an old trunk in a Leicestershire auction room.MacDonald Fraser based his tales on the idea that Flashman's "memoirs" had been unearthed in an old trunk in a Leicestershire auction room.
Despite being a vain, cowardly rogue, as well as a racist and a sexist, the character managed to play a pivotal role in many of the 19th Century's most significant events, always emerging covered in glory.Despite being a vain, cowardly rogue, as well as a racist and a sexist, the character managed to play a pivotal role in many of the 19th Century's most significant events, always emerging covered in glory.
As well as Octopussy in 1983, MacDonald Fraser wrote other screenplays including The Prince and The Pauper and The Three Musketeers.As well as Octopussy in 1983, MacDonald Fraser wrote other screenplays including The Prince and The Pauper and The Three Musketeers.
Fellow author Kingsley Amis called him "a marvellous reporter and a first-rate historical novelist".Fellow author Kingsley Amis called him "a marvellous reporter and a first-rate historical novelist".