Alex Wheatle, the Bard of Brixton, has died at the sadly young age of 62.
Born to Jamaican parents in London in 1963, he spent much of his early life in Lambeth council’s notorious Shirley Oaks children’s home.
Jailed after the Brixton Uprising of 1981, his Rastafarian cellmate encouraged him to start reading and he discovered literature, history and politics.
He began writing, often about life in Brixton, with books such as East of Acre Lane. Later, he was lauded for his novels for young people. Crongtom Knights, published in 2016, won the Guardian’s children’s fiction prize.
His Crongton (Croydon/ Brixton) work will be a TV series.
He was awarded an MBE in 2008.
Alex Wheatle’s experiences also featured in one of the episodes of Steve McQueen’s acclaimed series Small Axe.
His family said: “It is with great sadness we inform you that Alex Wheatle, our ‘Brixton Bard’, sadly passed away on Sunday 16 March after his fight with prostate cancer.
“Alex has 26 years of legacy for you all to continue and enjoy by reading his novels, watch again the self-titled episode Alex Wheatle from the Small Axe TV series and also watch the new upcoming Crongton TV series as he looks over us in spirit.
“Alex/s family would like to thank you all for your support over the years in his work and we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
