Henry E Cato

Jean Iris Murdoch (15 July 1919 – 8 February 1999) was an Irish philosopher.
He studied Classical Literature, Ancient History and Philosophy at Somerville College, and did a postgraduate degree also in Philosophy. He was an active member of the Communist Party until he distanced himself from the ideology. He worked at the U.N.N.R.A. and taught at the Royal College of Art.
From 1963 onwards he dedicated himself to writing, having produced 26 novels in 40 years, the last written while suffering from Alzheimer's. In all his works one can observe discussions with philosophers, having as an enemy the fatalistic character that existentialist thought unleashed.
He wrote novels, short stories, essays, plays and poems. Among his most famous works are The Sea, the Sea, winner of the Booker Prize (1978), The Black Prince, winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize (1973) and The Eyes of the Spider (1956).
In 2008, she was named to The Times' list of '50 greatest British writers since 1945'.