Terry Pratchett, the author of the Discworld series of novels that have sold more than 55 million copies worldwide, said he was “stunned, in a good way” after receiving a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List.
The 60-year-old writer, below, whose first book was published in 1971, told The Independent last night: “I’m having difficulty fitting it into my head. I’m very pleased indeed. It cheers me up no end.” He added: “It will also impress some of my American friends, who started calling me ‘Sir’ after I received my MBE, which was a little embarrassing.”
[…] “I’m glad a genre writer has got a knighthood, but stunned that it was me.”
I have nothing to add to this. Though if some friendly UKadian would care to explain the difference between a knighthood and an MBE, that’d be great. I don’t even know what MBE stands for.
An MBE is a Member of the (Most Excellent Order of the) British Empire. This is the lowest grade of membership of the Order. Progressively higher grades are Officer (OBE), Commander (CBE), Knight/Dame Commander (KBE or DBE) and Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE). Only the two highest grades are knighthoods. There are also numerous other orders of knighthood in the UK, some of which are reserved for the constituent nations, the military, diplomats, civil servants and so forth.
I will now forever preclude becoming a knight myself by saying that the whole thing seems like a particular silly role-playing game.
To Rich’s excellent explanation, I would only add the practical information that a knighthood is a much more significant honour than an MBE. Hence, there are far fewer Knights of the Realm than MBEs, and they tend to be people who already had a reasonably high public profile.
In this light – excellent news for the soon-to-be Sir Terry!
Almost prophetically, Sir Terry’s latest book, Nation, contained the following little passage:
“…since we understand your plan is to retire shortly, the Crown will certainly wish to show its gratitude in the traditional way.’
Behind him, Sir Geoffrey spoke and coughed at the same time:’coughknighthoodcough.'”
“I’m glad a genre writer has got a knighthood”
such as Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Sir Fred Hoyle, and many more one can easily name. Did they get it purely for their writings? Probably not, but the writings certainly don’t hurt, PR-wise…
Thanks for the definitions of the various hono(u)rs. I’ll completely forget all of this by the time the next person I recognize receives one, but it’s good to briefly know what they’re talking about.
such as Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Sir Fred Hoyle, and many more one can easily name.
Perhaps he’s using a Nicoll-esque definition, that doesn’t combine science fiction and fantasy.
Well, Chad, then we should start with Britain’s decision to award a knighthood to Fantasy author Salman Rushdie in 2007 and work our way backwards in time…
H. Rider Haggard, full name Sir Henry Rider Haggard (22 Jun 1856-14 May 1925): British barrister/author; spent childhood in South Africa; 1875-1881 Served in Colonial Service; 1912 knighted; published almost 80 books, of which “She” and “King Solomon’s Mines” are best known, considered the leader of the subgenre of LOST LANDS/LOST RACE; also creatred the Allan Quatermain character who appeared in several British films…
I’ll take the time to predict honours for J. K. Rowling as soon as 2009. It hasn’t happened yet, perhaps because of the fact that she is richer than the Queen… but her charitable contributions plus benefits to the UK economy on the order of a gigabuck make it quite likely, I should think.
Sam Vimes got to be a Duke, for heaven’s sake.
What the hell was King Carrot thinking?
(Most Excellent Order of) (what’s left of the) British Empire.
I love Terry Pratchett but think his portrayals of royalty, as andy.s described, are their only redeeming feature.
If only they were more like Verence, but they’re not.
Sam Vimes got to be a Duke, for heaven’s sake.