Peter May: key obituary facts
Is Peter May dead? Yes. Peter May died on September 25, 2026, at age 74.
Cause of death: Peter May's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Peter May known for?
He was a British and French writer (1951–2026).
More about Peter May
Born: 20 December 1951.
Place of birth: Glasgow.
Gender: male.
Occupation: journalist, writer, screenwriter, novelist, film producer, playwright, television writer.
Nationality: United Kingdom, France.
Education: Eastwood High School.
Awards: Dagger in the Library, Barry Award for Best Novel, Trophées 813, Grand Prix de Littérature Policière.
Spouse: Janice Hally.
Occupations: Crime writer, screenwriter, novelist.
Genres: Television drama, Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction.
Peter May, the Scottish television screenwriter, novelist and crime writer, died on September 25, 2026, aged 74.
Born in Glasgow and educated at Eastwood High School, he built a career that ranged across journalism, television, fiction and screenwriting, and later held both British and French nationality. His novels won major prizes in Europe and the United States, including the Barry Award for The Blackhouse and the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière in 2025, while Entry Island also brought further recognition in Scotland and Britain.
May’s books sold more than twelve million copies worldwide, reflecting a body of work that made him one of the most widely read Scottish crime writers of his generation.