Glenn Cowley, South African Publisher, RIP
Books LIVE has learned that Glenn Cowley, a longtime servant of the publishing industry in South Africa, has died in Johannesburg of an infection following a medical procedure .
Cowley was an early supporter of BOOK SA/Books LIVE, and was one of the truest people I worked with, generous to a fault, never losing sight of the details in the big picture. The authors whom he published were greatly appreciative of his personal touch, and he succeeded in developing UKZN Press, where he held his last major publishing position before semi-retirement last year, into an academic publishing powerhouse in Africa (which also played a significant role in trade publishing). His death is untimely, a tragedy.
Cowley is pictured above with Mary Burton at the 2009 Cape Town launch of There Was this Goat by Antjie Krog, Kopano Ratele and Nosisi Mpolweni, published by the Press, which has issued this statement:
It is with deep sadness that UKZN Press announces the passing of Glenn Cowley, past publisher, after a short illness in Johannesburg.
Glenn was Publisher at UKZN Press for 11 years until his retirement in July 2009. Through his vision and leadership Glenn, a graduate of the University of Natal and of Harvard, developed the Press into a well-known and respected scholarly publishing house with worldwide connections, and an impressive list and author base.
Glenn will be remembered affectionately by his colleagues, past and present, as well as authors and those in the wider publishing and book circles in South Africa and abroad. To many he was a mentor and a friend and he will be remembered for his energy, love of life, kindness and generosity of spirit.
He was much loved by his wife Fiona, his sister Anne, brother-in-law Carl and all his nieces and nephews.
The Publisher and staff of UKZN Press
16 May 2011
Here is a picture of Cowley and the UKZN Press team:
Cowley turned 67 on 12 May. Books LIVE has received several tributes for him.
From Andrea Nattrass: Glenn Cowley was an eclectic mentor and colleague to me, and a larger-than-life figure in SA publishing. We have lost someone special.
From Michael Dwyer, MD at C. Hurst & Co. in the UK: I am meeting Maggie and Bridget [of Jacana Media] in London tomorrow night so we’ll toast the memory of a wonderful person and great publisher.
From John Laband: I last saw Glenn when we were in Johannesburg at Christmas-time. I can’t say how really sad this make me, for Glenn was not only an old friend, but I had worked closely with him for many years at the Press.
From Michael Green: Glenn was such an enormous presence: so much so, he will remain one for a long, long time in the lives of many.
From David Attwell: I can hardly take it in – it comes so unexpectedly. When I saw him last he was renovating their lovely new house in Parkhurst and settling into married life. What a shock this is.
From Moira Lovell: During the process of the publication of my poetry collection, Not all of Me is Dust, he was always encouraging and enthusiastic and I so valued his commitment to the publication of the work.
From Sandile Ngidi: I last “saw” him in the Luthuli/Kennedy documentary and was moved to learn he had been part of that history.
From Adele Branch: Glenn was larger than life. His energy, support and passion for the publishing industry helped me find my niche. A unique, special and caring colleague who will be hugely missed.
From Sally Hines: Glenn was astute, imaginative, energetic and compassionate as a colleague and friend. He truly cared about people.
From Maureen Isaacson: I had such a deep admiration for Glenn. He was really so excellent in so many ways and so generous. I saw him recently – I needed advice and there he was, giving of his time and superb sense. He was respectful and perceptive and his kind do not come this way often.
From Helen Moffett: This news comes as a great blow. People who passionately support writing, books, authors and colleagues because they believe in them are the lifeblood of South African publishing. Glenn was one such person: someone who did his job for love, and for the joy and satisfaction of building the publishing industry in this country. He has mentored many, and will be terribly missed.
From Peter Alegi: Glenn’s vision, wisdom, humor, generosity, courage, and relentless pursuit of the goodness in/of life shone brightly and I am grateful to have basked in his light. I have photos right here of our Laduma! launch at Ike’s in May 2004, Glenn beaming next to Harry Cele . . . that’s how I like to remember him . . . surrounded by books and people, at his very best. To say that Glenn will be missed is a horrible understatement.
Robert Greig: Such a shock about Glenn: he was the kindest force of nature.
From Benedict Carton: Glenn was my malume in every sense of the term. I will miss, as will many authors and our colleagues at UKZN Press. Glenn gave us years of insight and support, and family meals in Pmb, Dbn, Jhb, CT and beyond. He turned his Pmb office into a salon for visiting authors and asked for little in return, except hard work and serious respect for who he was and what he could do for us in the world of books.
Elana Bregin: We will miss you in the world, Glenn Cowley. Hard to believe you’re not here any more … you left a unique imprint. What I remember most is your drive and enthusiasm for the projects that lit your fire … your enfuriating bloodymindedness at times that could make one want to resign on the spot … a talent for unforgettable turns of phrase that were all your own … and a big heart always so supportive to anyone in need or times of trouble.
Ari Sitas: Received the sad, sad news. He kept a vital side of academic and creative work alive and was a pleasure to work with in KZN during confusing times.
Here are many more tributes for Cowley, compiled by UKZN Press:
Books LIVE will add further tributes to this post as they come in; send them to editor @ book _dot_ co _dot_ za.
Our condolences to Cowley’s family and friends.
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