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Author Hilary Mantel has been made a Dame of the British Empire for her services to literature in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
The list, published at the weekend, also saw recognition for the retiring OED chief editor John Andrew Simpson, children's book specialist Julia Eccleshare, and IPG honorary president Sonny Leong.
Mantel said she was “delighted” to receive her honour, commenting: “I see it not so much as a reward for the past, more as encouragement for the future.... I hope it will please the many people who have helped, guided and encouraged me over a writing career of some 30 years.” The two-time winner of the Man Booker award for Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, (Fourth Estate), had already received a CBE in 2006.
John Andrew Simpson, who retired from the role of chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary last year, and Hunter Davies, author and writer of biography The Beatles (Cassell Illustrated) were both given OBEs for services to literature.
Margaret Jull Costa, who translates Spanish and Portuguese literature into English, also won an OBE for services to literature.
Children's book specialist Julia Eccleshare received an MBE. Eccleshare is a writer and lecturer, and is the Guardian's children's books editor. She is also a judge of the Branford Boase first novel prize.
Sonny Leong, founder of legal publisher Cavendish Publishing and honorary president of the IPG, was awarded a CBE. Former Cassell chair and chief executive Philip Sturrock was awarded an MBE.
June Kathleen Jefferson, honorary secretary of The Tennyson Society, received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to literature.
Several library professionals were awarded honours this year.
The assistant director of culture at Birmingham City Council, Brian Gambles, received an MBE for his services to libraries. Gambles joined Birmingham Library Services in 1987 and is now director of the £183m Library of Birmingham. Rosemary Watterson, chief administrative office of the western education and library board, was given an MBE for services to education in Northern Ireland.
Deirdre Ann Breen, manager of Lurgan library in Northern Ireland, was awarded a BEM for services to public libraries, and Gary Keenan, cleaning supervisor of the Belfast education and library board, received a BEM for services to education in Northern Ireland.