Renowned Author Richard Ford launches Creative Writing Students’ Anthology on 10th Anniversary of Oscar Wilde Centre

Posted on: 22 April 2008

The anthology of this year’s students from the M.Phil in Creative Writing at the TCD Oscar Wilde Centre, Sixteen After Ten, was launched on Friday 18th, April, 2008. The event was graced with the presence of the Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist and short story writer, Richard Ford, who launched the anthology with some very special words of advice and humour for the budding writers.

In what has been reported as something of a literary coup, Richard Ford, has been appointed as Adjunct Professor at TCD’s School of English and his professorship with Trinity is due to continue for three years. The renowned American author conducted masterclasses on fiction with this year’s M.Phil in Creative Writing in the Oscar Wilde Centre all of last week as part of his residency.

The American writer will be in residence in Trinity College a number of times a year where he will engage in activities such as teaching on selected undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as giving public readings. His expertise and experience will be used primarily on the highly successful M.Phil in Creative Writing.Commenting on the significance of the appointment, the Head of the School of English, Professor Stephen Matterson said: “Naturally we’re delighted to be associated with such a major figure in contemporary literature. Richard Ford is a perfect fit with the School and College’s international profile and with our long-standing commitment to the development of critical and creative writing.”

Oscar Wilde Centre Director, Gerald Dawe, Prof. Stephen Matterson and author Richard Ford