# Ian Rankin

> Scottish writer

**Wikidata**: [Q318431](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q318431)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Rankin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ian-rankin

## Summary
Ian Rankin is a Scottish writer best known for his contributions to the crime fiction genre. He is the creator of the Inspector Rebus series, which has been adapted into a television series. A recipient of numerous literary honors, including an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the Cartier Diamond Dagger, Rankin is widely recognized for his influence on the field of crime novels.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 28, 1960
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom
- **Education**: University of Edinburgh
- **Known for**: Writing the Inspector Rebus novel series and contributions to crime fiction.
- **Employer(s)**: University of Edinburgh
- **Field(s)**: Crime fiction, Novels
- **Aliases**: Jack Harvey, Sir Ian James Rankin, Ian James Rankin

## Contributions
Ian Rankin has authored a significant body of work within the crime fiction genre. His notable works include the Inspector Rebus series, which centers on a detective operating in Edinburgh, Scotland. This series was adapted into the television series *Rebus*. His literary output includes several recognized titles such as *The Black Book*, *The Hanging Garden*, *Dead Souls*, *Set in Darkness*, *The Falls*, *Resurrection Men*, *Fleshmarket Close*, *Exit Music*, and *Saints of the Shadow Bible*. Additionally, he has published works under the pseudonym Jack Harvey.

## FAQs
**What awards has Ian Rankin received?**
Ian Rankin has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Officer of the Order of the British Empire, the Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in crime fiction, the Gold Dagger, the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel, and the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate.

**Who has influenced Ian Rankin's writing?**
Rankin's work has been influenced by several authors, including the American novelist and screenwriter Raymond Chandler, as well as William McIlvanney and Thomas Pynchon.

**What is Ian Rankin's connection to the University of Edinburgh?**
Ian Rankin attended the University of Edinburgh as a student and is currently affiliated with the institution. The university is a public research institution located in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1583.

## Why They Matter
Ian Rankin is a pivotal figure in contemporary crime fiction, credited with helping to define and popularize the genre known as "Tartan Noir," a tradition influenced by predecessors like William McIlvanney. His Inspector Rebus novels have redefined the perception of Edinburgh, moving beyond the city's historic facade to explore its social and political underbelly. Rankin's work bridges the gap between genre fiction and serious literature, earning him critical acclaim and a diverse readership. His influence extends to other writers in the field, and his characters have become cultural icons, leading to successful adaptations for television. By grounding his narratives in realistic social commentary, Rankin has elevated the status of crime writing within the broader literary landscape.

## Notable For
- **Creator of Inspector Rebus**: Authored the widely successful novel series featuring Detective Inspector Rebus.
- **Television Adaptation**: His work inspired the television series *Rebus*.
- **Cartier Diamond Dagger**: Received this prestigious British literary award for a lifetime's contribution to the crime novel genre.
- **Officer of the Order of the British Empire**: Awarded this honor for his services to literature.
- **Edgar Allan Poe Award**: Won the award for Best Novel.
- **Grand Prix de Littérature Policière**: Received this French literary prize.
- **Influence on Crime Fiction**: Recognized as a major figure in the genre, influenced by Raymond Chandler and William McIlvanney.
- **Honorary Doctorate**: Awarded an honorary academic degree.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Ian James Rankin was born on April 28, 1960. He pursued his higher education at the University of Edinburgh, a public university in Edinburgh, Scotland, which was founded in 1583. His time at the university coincided with the development of his writing career, which officially began in 1986.

### Literary Career and Works
Rankin's professional writing life spans several decades, starting in 1986. He is primarily known as a novelist and crime fiction writer. His extensive bibliography includes the Inspector Rebus series, which forms the core of his literary reputation. Specific titles within this series and his other works include:
- *The Black Book*
- *The Hanging Garden*
- *Dead Souls*
- *Set in Darkness*
- *The Falls*
- *Resurrection Men*
- *Fleshmarket Close*
- *Exit Music*
- *Saints of the Shadow Bible*

In addition to these titles, Rankin has published works under the pseudonym Jack Harvey. His writing is categorized under the crime fiction genre, focusing on narratives involving crime, often with a focus on the city of Edinburgh.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Rankin has been the recipient of numerous awards recognizing his contribution to literature and crime fiction:
- **Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)**: A rank of the Order of the British Empire awarded in the United Kingdom.
- **Cartier Diamond Dagger**: A British literary award established in 1986, honoring an outstanding lifetime's contribution to the crime novel genre.
- **Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel**: An annual literary award from the United States.
- **Grand Prix de Littérature Policière**: A French literary prize established in 1948.
- **Gold Dagger**: A literary award established in 1955 in the United Kingdom.
- **Honorary Doctorate**: An honorary academic degree.

### Affiliations and Influence
Rankin maintains a strong connection with the University of Edinburgh, serving as an employer or affiliate. His work is situated within the broader context of United Kingdom literature, specifically Scottish writing.

His literary style and themes have been shaped by a distinct set of influences. He cites **Raymond Chandler**, the American novelist and screenwriter known for creating Philip Marlowe and pioneering the hard-boiled style, as a significant influence. Chandler's impact on Rankin is noted in the latter's approach to the detective genre. Rankin is also influenced by **William McIlvanney**, a British writer and precursor of the Tartan Noir genre, and **Thomas Pynchon**, an American novelist known for complex postmodern works.

Rankin's own influence is evident in the work of contemporaries such as **Stuart MacBride**, another Scottish writer. The creation of the *Rebus* television series further solidifies the cultural impact of his work, bringing his characters and stories to a global audience.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. LIBRIS. 2014
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. [Source](https://edgarawards.com/category-list-best-novel/)
6. [Source](https://rsliterature.org/fellows/ian-rankin/)
7. [Source](https://www.babelio.com/prix/36/de-la-Litterature-Policiere-Grand-Prix)
8. [Source](https://www5.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.ceremonies/files/files/Honorary%20graduate%20cumulative%20list(7).xlsx)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. CiNii Research
11. MusicBrainz
12. IMDb
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14. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
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18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
20. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb13337882s)
21. CONOR.SI
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23. Goodreads
24. Quora
25. [LIBRIS. 2014](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/b8nr0w0v1q9r2bn)
26. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q198991)