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| Italian writer Umberto Eco dies at 84 | Italian writer Umberto Eco dies at 84 |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| The Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco, best known for his novel The Name of the Rose, has died aged 84. | The Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco, best known for his novel The Name of the Rose, has died aged 84. |
| According to a family member who asked not to be identified, he died late on Friday from cancer. | |
| The Name of the Rose was made into a film in 1986 starring Scottish actor Sean Connery. | The Name of the Rose was made into a film in 1986 starring Scottish actor Sean Connery. |
| Eco, who also wrote the novel Foucault's Pendulum, continued to publish new works, with Numero Zero released last year. | Eco, who also wrote the novel Foucault's Pendulum, continued to publish new works, with Numero Zero released last year. |
| He also wrote children's books and literary criticism. | He also wrote children's books and literary criticism. |
| Eco once wrote that "books always speak of other books, and every story tells a story that has already been told". | Eco once wrote that "books always speak of other books, and every story tells a story that has already been told". |
| "I am a philosopher," he was quoted as saying. "I write novels only on the weekends." | "I am a philosopher," he was quoted as saying. "I write novels only on the weekends." |
| Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi led tributes to Eco. | |
| "He was an extraordinary example of a European intellectual," Mr Renzi said. | |
| "He embodied both the unique intelligence of the past and a tireless capacity for anticipating the future." | |
| Listen to Umberto Eco on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs | Listen to Umberto Eco on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs |
| Umberto Eco on the launch of his last novel | Umberto Eco on the launch of his last novel |
| Eco founded the communications department at the University of San Marino in the 1980s. | Eco founded the communications department at the University of San Marino in the 1980s. |
| He was later professor emeritus and chairman of the Higher School of Humanities of the University of Bologna. | He was later professor emeritus and chairman of the Higher School of Humanities of the University of Bologna. |
| Eco was born in Alessandria, northern Italy, in 1932. | Eco was born in Alessandria, northern Italy, in 1932. |