Ian Rankin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Ian Rankin OBE DL FRSE FRSL
Rankin in 2024
Born	Ian James Rankin (1960-04-28) 28 April 1960 (age 65) Cardenden, Fife, Scotland
Pen name	Jack Harvey
Occupation	Crime writer philanthropist
Nationality	Scottish
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh
Period	1984–present
Genre	Crime fiction
Notable works	DI John Rebus novels Malcolm Fox novels Dark Entries
Spouse	Miranda Harvey ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	2

Sir Ian James Rankin (born 28 April 1960) is a famous Scottish writer. He is best known for his popular series of crime novels about Inspector Rebus. Rankin is also a philanthropist, which means he donates money to help others.

Early Life and Education

Ian Rankin was born in the town of Cardenden in Fife, Scotland. His father, James, owned a grocery shop, and his mother, Isobel, worked in a school cafeteria. As a boy, he went to Beath High School.

His parents weren't big readers, but Ian loved comics like The Beano and Superman. Soon, he started borrowing books from the library and discovered a love for reading.

Rankin was the first person in his family to attend a university. His parents were surprised when he chose to study literature. They had hoped he would learn a specific trade, like plumbing or carpentry. But with encouragement from his English teacher, he graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Rankin had many different jobs. He worked as a grape picker, a tax collector, a college secretary, and even a punk rock musician in a band called the Dancing Pigs.

Writing Career

The Famous Inspector Rebus

Rankin didn't originally plan to be a crime writer. He thought his first books were just regular novels. He was surprised when people started calling them crime fiction.

His most famous books are the Inspector Rebus novels, which are set in Edinburgh, Scotland. These books are a major part of a style called tartan noir, a term for Scottish crime fiction that is often dark and serious. The character's name, Rebus, was chosen partly because "rebus" is a type of word puzzle.

The Rebus books became so popular that they were turned into a TV show. Thirteen of the novels were made into a series for ITV. Two different actors, John Hannah and Ken Stott, played the role of Inspector Rebus.

By 2005, Rankin's books were so successful that he was one of the top ten best-selling writers in Britain. His Rebus novels have sold over 35 million copies worldwide. In 2022, he signed a deal to write two new John Rebus books.

Rankin signing copies of his graphic novel, Dark Entries, in Edinburgh in 2009.

Other Books and Projects

Besides the Rebus series, Rankin has written many other books. He wrote three crime novels in the 1990s using the pseudonym, or pen name, Jack Harvey.

In 2009, he wrote a graphic novel called Dark Entries. It was part of the Vertigo Crime series and featured the comic book character John Constantine.

He also helped finish a book by another Scottish writer, William McIlvanney, who passed away before he could complete it. The book, The Dark Remains, was published in 2021.

Life Outside of Writing

Television and Documentaries

Rankin has appeared on television many times. He was a regular guest on the BBC Two arts show Newsnight Review. He has also hosted his own documentaries. In one, he explored the real-life city of Edinburgh that inspires his stories. He also took the famous chef Anthony Bourdain on a tour of the city for the show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.

Music and Personal Life

Rankin loves music and often mentions songs in his novels. He is the singer in a band called Best Picture, which he formed with some friends in 2017. He once said, "I'd much rather be a rock star than a writer."

He lives in Edinburgh with his wife, Miranda, whom he married in 1986. They have two sons, Jack and Kit. For many years, they lived in a neighborhood near other famous authors like J. K. Rowling and Alexander McCall Smith.

Rankin and his wife are very generous. They set up a trust to donate money to charities that support health, art, and education. It has been reported that they have given over £1 million to good causes.

Honours and Awards

Ian Rankin has received many awards for his writing.

• 1997: CWA Gold Dagger for his novel Black and Blue. This is one of the top awards for crime writing.
• 2002: He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his work in literature.
• 2004: Edgar Award for his novel Resurrection Men.
• 2005: CWA Lifetime Achievement Award, also called the Cartier Diamond Dagger.
• 2015: He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a high honour for arts and sciences in Scotland.
• 2022: He received a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature and charity. He is now known as Sir Ian Rankin.

Selected Books

Here are some of Ian Rankin's most well-known novels.

See also

In Spanish: Ian Rankin para niños