France honours British writer (6.10.05)

William Boyd and his wife

The French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, M. Gérard Errera, presented to the writer William Boyd the insignia of Officier des Arts et des Lettres at a ceremony which took place on 4th October at the Résidence de France.

This medal acknowledges William Boyd’s contribution to the arts through his novels. All have been praised by the critics, from the first, “A Good Man in Africa” (1981) to his most recent works, including “Any Human Heart” (2002). It also recognizes the special link William Boyd has developed with France. His novel “Stars and Bars” received particular acclaim in France in 1985 after he appeared with Bernard Pivot on the well-known French television book programme “Apostrophe”. William Boyd has become one of the most popular British novelists for the French, who appreciate his many references to the French language and literature.

Born in Accra (Ghana) in 1952, William Boyd spent a good part of his childhood in Africa. He studied at Glasgow University and Oxford and also spent a year as a student in Nice. He has travelled frequently to the United States and France.

The French order of distinction “l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” recognizes people who have distinguished themselves in the arts or literature, or have made a special contribution to promoting the arts in France and the world. Quentin Blake, Antonia Susan Byatt and Julian Barnes are among its most recent British recipients.