Reacher, Teacher?

As a longtime follower of Lee Child (Nothing to Lose) and his literary creation, Jack Reacher, I was amused to read recently in England’s Sheffield Telegraph that this author has been bestowed some academic recognition to add to his commercial and critical success:

Best-selling crime thriller writer and graduate of the University of Sheffield Lee Child has been awarded a Visiting Professorship by the University, in recognition of his extraordinary literary talent. ...

Lee, 53, who studied law at the University of Sheffield, is the creator of one of the most memorable crime fiction characters of all time, Jack Reacher. Reacher, a 6ft 5in tall and 220 pounds ex army major, is an unattached loner. ...

Lee’s professorship will mean that staff, students and members of the local community will get to learn more about Lee, his work and just how he became a best-selling author around the world. During his first visit to the University in November, Lee will hold writing workshops for students in the School of English Literature, Language, and Linguistics, take part in a question and answer session as part of the Off the Shelf Festival and will be a guest at a book club due to be formed at the University.

With fond memories of Sheffield Lee is keen to return to the city. He met his wife Jane whilst studying at the University and his brother, who is also a writer, still lives in the city.

Lee said:

“I took up the Visiting Professorship because I was very flattered to be asked, and because I wanted to show today’s students that anyone can succeed eventually. It took me a bit of time to get where I am today, but once I had found my niche, something I am passionate about, everything else just seemed to fall into place.”

You can read the full piece here.