Alasdair James Gray (born 1934) was a Scottish novelist, playwright, and artist, from Glasgow, Scotland. Gray is regarded as the father figure of the Scottish Renaissance. As a post modernist, Gray’s written works combine elements of realism, fantasy and science fiction supported by his own illustrations and typography. Gray often incorporated his political viewpoints to support socialism and Scottish independence and was described by Will Self as “a creative polymath with an integrated politico-philosophic vision.”

Alasdair Gray has written, designed, and illustrated seven novels, three short story collections, three political pamphlets, two verse books, and a book about his art, A Life in Pictures. He wrote eight stage plays, twelve television and six radio plays broadcasted by the BBC and Granada. His books have been published internationally and translated into Italian, Russian, and Japanese. His awards include the Whitbread Fiction Prize, Guardian Fiction Prize, and Saltire Society Life Time Achievement Award.