Banville, John (1945– )

Irish writer and literary editor. Born in Wexford town, he worked for the Irish Press and became literary editor of the Irish Times in 1988. His first publication was the 1970 collection of short stories, Long Larkin, but he is best known for his novels, such as The Book of Evidence (1989), shortlisted for the Booker Prize and winner of the Guinness Peat Aviation Award. Birchwood (1973) establishes an interest in the Irish big house theme which, in combination with the history of science, philosophy, and art, operates in many of his novels. His rich, articulate writing style won him critical praise in later novels such as The Untouchable (1998) and Eclipse (2000).

The Book of Evidence, Ghosts (1993), and Athena (1995) comprise a trilogy centred on the main character Freddie Montgomery and examine, often with self-conscious ironic humour, notions of beauty, love, art, and writing. He has also written books about scientists: Doctor Copernicus (1976), Kepler (1981), Newton Letter (1982), and Mefisto (1986).