Alex Wheatle, the acclaimed British novelist and ‘Brixton Bard,’ has died at the age of 62 following a battle with prostate cancer, his family announced, according to theguardian.com. The writer, whose young adult novels and vivid depictions of Brixton life earned him widespread recognition, passed away on Sunday, March 16.
Born in Brixton to Jamaican parents on January 3, 1963, Wheatle’s early years were marked by hardship, including time spent in the Shirley Oaks children’s home. His path to literary success began in an unexpected place—Wormwood Scrubs prison—where he was incarcerated for four months after the 1981 Brixton uprising. There, a cellmate introduced him to authors like James Baldwin and Charles Dickens, sparking a transformation. “Whatever I achieve in this old writing game is down to the conversion I experienced,” Wheatle reflected in a 2021 Guardian piece.
Wheatle’s debut novel, Brixton Rock (1999), drew from his own experiences in care, launching a career that spanned adult and young adult fiction. His Crongton series, including the award-winning Crongton Knights (2016 Guardian children’s fiction prize), cemented his reputation in YA literature. Frustrated by the adult publishing world’s resistance, he found a new voice in stories for younger readers, tackling themes of identity and resilience.
His life inspired the fourth installment of Steve McQueen’s 2020 Small Axe anthology, titled Alex Wheatle. A BBC adaptation of the Crongton series just premiered on iPlayer, a bittersweet milestone following his death. Wheatle’s honours included an MBE in 2008, and his 2023 memoir, Sufferah, offered a raw look at his struggles and triumphs, from abuse in care to his love of reggae.
“Alex’s fierce intelligence and warm smile enveloped all who knew him,” said critic Colin Grant.
His family urged fans to celebrate his 26-year legacy through his works and screen adaptations. Wheatle’s death leaves a void in British literature, but his stories—of Brixton, survival and spirit—endure.
- Featured image: Alex Wheatle, photographed near his home in Clapham in 2020/Antonio Olmos/The Observer
