Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize-Winning author dies at 88

Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, a black American author, has died following a short illness, family of the author confirmed. Morrison was 88 years old.

Morrison died at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York on Monday night.

Toni Morrison had extensively written about the race, gender and history based subjects. She had a career as an editor and before turning to fiction, Morrison, through her writing, created a world that chronicled the African-American experience.

She contributed 11 novels; the first The Bluest Eyes was published in 1970. In 1987 her classic Beloved told the story of a runaway black slave woman who sought refuge in Ohio and later caught up by her owner and law officer had left a debate on racism and discrimination.

Morrison was a devoted teacher, a champion of libraries and an exuberant entertainer. Being a black woman she embraced her role on the world stage.

She had a well elaborated philosophy over life. Once she said, “We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives”.

Mourning her death, editor from publishing company Knopf, Robert Gottlieb has said: “She was a great woman and a great writer, and I don’t know which I will miss more.”

Chairman of Knopf, Sonny Mehta said, “”Her narratives and mesmerising prose have made an indelible mark on our culture. Her novels command and demand our attention”.

Family of Ms Morrison has thanked for all the love and concern for the legend lady and requested some privacy to them to mourn them huge loss.

“While we would like to thank everyone who knew and loved her, personally or through her work, for their support at this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we mourn this loss to our family.

“We will share information in the near future about how we will celebrate Toni’s incredible life,” said family.