# Val McDermid

> Scottish crime writer

**Wikidata**: [Q239911](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239911)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_McDermid)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/val-mcdermid

## Summary
Val McDermid is a Scottish crime writer known for her contributions to the detective novel genre. She is a novelist and journalist who has received numerous accolades for her work, including the Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement.

## Biography
- **Born**: June 4, 1955
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom
- **Education**: St Hilda's College, University of Oxford
- **Known for**: Scottish crime writing, detective novels
- **Occupation**: Writer, novelist, journalist
- **Field(s)**: Crime fiction, detective novels
- **Work Period Start**: 1976

## Contributions
Val McDermid has established a significant presence in the literary world through her work in the crime genre. Her career as a writer began in 1976. Over the decades, she has produced numerous literary works that have been recognized with prestigious awards. Her contributions include novels that fall under the detective fiction genre, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in Scottish crime writing.

## FAQs
**What awards has Val McDermid received?**
Val McDermid has received multiple awards for her literary work, including the Lambda Literary Award, the Dilys Award, the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, the Cartier Diamond Dagger, the Macavity Awards, and the Gold Dagger. She has also received an honorary doctorate and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

**What is Val McDermid's educational background?**
Val McDermid was educated at St Hilda's College, a college of the University of Oxford.

**Who is a notable contemporary of Val McDermid?**
Stuart MacBride is noted as a related key person, being a Scottish writer in the same field.

## Why They Matter
Val McDermid matters as a distinguished figure in contemporary crime fiction. Her recognition with the Cartier Diamond Dagger highlights her outstanding lifetime's contribution to the crime novel genre. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, her influence extends beyond literature into broader cultural and academic recognition within the United Kingdom. Her work has helped define the modern Scottish crime writing tradition.

## Notable For
-   **Cartier Diamond Dagger**: Received this British literary award for outstanding lifetime's contribution to the crime novel genre.
-   **Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh**: Recognized as a Fellow by this prestigious Scottish body.
-   **Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award**: Winner of this British crime fiction award.
-   **Gold Dagger**: Recipient of this literary award.
-   **Lambda Literary Award**: Recognized for published works celebrating or exploring LGBT themes.
-   **Honorary Doctorate**: Awarded an honorary academic degree.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Val McDermid was born on June 4, 1955. She pursued higher education at St Hilda's College, which is a college of the University of Oxford. St Hilda's was founded in 1893 and is located in the United Kingdom.

### Career
McDermid's professional career began in 1976. She operates as a writer, novelist, and journalist. Her primary field of work is identified as crime fiction, specifically contributing to the detective novel genre. She is described as a Scottish crime writer, aligning her with the literary traditions of Scotland within the United Kingdom.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, McDermid has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards:
*   **Cartier Diamond Dagger**: A British literary award established in 1986, recognizing an outstanding lifetime's contribution to the crime novel genre.
*   **Gold Dagger**: A literary award established in 1955 in the United Kingdom.
*   **Lambda Literary Award**: An award established in 1989 for published works which celebrate or explore LGBT themes.
*   **Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award**: A British crime fiction award established in 2005.
*   **Macavity Awards**: A mystery writer award established in 1987.
*   **Dilys Award**: An award recognizing excellence in the mystery genre.
*   **Honorary Doctorate**: An honorary academic degree bestowed upon her.
*   **Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh**: A prestigious award granted by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

### Professional Context and Peers
McDermid is a citizen of the United Kingdom. In the context of Scottish writing, she is associated with Stuart MacBride, another Scottish writer who works in the same occupation and citizenship. Her work is categorized under the broader umbrella of "human" creative endeavors, specifically within the literary class of things.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/olympian-lord-coe-honoured-by-uni-1-3513613)
2. BnF authorities
3. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/22/arts/22mina.html?pagewanted=print)
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5. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/16/books/16masl.html?pagewanted=all)
6. Integrated Authority File
7. [Source](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/4929117/val-mcdermid-books-tony-hill-jo-sharp-wife/)
8. [Source](https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/judges/val-mcdermid)
9. [St Hilda’s College, Alumnae Profiles](https://www.sthildas.ox.ac.uk/content/alumnae-profiles?)
10. [Source](https://www.bigissue.com/interviews/letter-to-my-younger-self/val-mcdermid-no-lesbians-fife-1960s/)
11. [Source](https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/currently-profiles/val-mcdermid-crime-queen-having-stab-otago-university)
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14. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/programmes/a-z/current?page=4)
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16. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-22985374)
17. [Source](http://www.bouchercon.com/anthony-awards/winners-and-nominees/2000s/)
18. [Source](https://mysteryreaders.org/macavity-awards/)
19. [Source](http://new.deadlypleasures.com/barry-awards/)
20. [Source](https://rsliterature.org/fellows/val-mcdermid/)
21. [Source](https://www5.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.ceremonies/files/files/Honorary%20graduate%20cumulative%20list(7).xlsx)
22. [Source](https://leslecturesdelonclepaul.over-blog.com/article-prix-du-roman-d-aventures-108769086.html)
23. [Source](https://www.rse.org.uk/fellow/val-mcdermid/)
24. CiNii Research
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27. [Source](http://writers-write-creative-blog.posthaven.com/literary-birthday-4-june-val-mcdermid)
28. Babelio
29. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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31. Virtual International Authority File
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34. Google Knowledge Graph
35. LIBRIS. 2016
36. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File