Felix Dennis dies

Felix Dennis, publisher, poet and co-owner of printers Butler Tanner & Dennis, has died.

The 67-year-old passed away at his home in Dorsington yesterday (22nd June) after a “long and painful battle with cancer”.

A statement from Dennis’ office said: “Felix was a publishing legend, famed for his maverick and entrepreneurial style and, more lately, a successful and much loved poet. He will be greatly missed.

“Thank you to the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Felix, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.”

Dennis published a number of books of poetry. His first was A Glass Half Full (Hutchinson) in 2004, and his most recent was This Is the Way of the World (Ebury Press), which came out this month.

Fiona MacIntyre, m.d. of Ebury Publishing, said: "It was with great sadness that we learned of the death at the weekend of Felix Dennis. Felix was a generous maverick, with a refreshingly outspoken view of the status quo, and he took great joy in challenging convention whenever he had the chance."

Ebury will publish a new poetry anthology by Dennis, I Just Stepped Out, later this year, and an authorised biography called More Lives Than One: The Extraordinary Life of Felix Dennis, by Fergus Byrne, next year, which Dennis "had anticipated would appear posthumously".

The poet was also behind the Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection, which is awarded yearly as part of the Forward Prizes for Poetry.

In 2008 Dennis rescued Butler Tanner & Dennis from liquidation, and became co-owner of the Somerset-based printer with its c.e.o. Gerald White.

Earlier this year the printer went into administration, with Dennis saying at the time: "It is with a heavy heart that I have supported the board decision to place Butler Tanner & Dennis Ltd into administration.

“It is an extremely sad day for British book printing to lose this fantastic accumulation of talent and heritage.”

It was also revealed that Dennis would be paying staff at risk of redundancy from his personal funds until the end of May.