Author Brian Jacques, 71, died February 5, 2011 of a heart attack in Liverpool. Jacques is best known for his Redwall series of children’s fantasies, beginning with Redwall (1987) and continuing for more than 20 books, most recently The Sable Quean (2010) and forthcoming The Rogue Crew (2011). His other books include the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series (2001-2006), two short fiction collections, and picture books for younger children.

James Brian Jacques was born June 15, 1939 in Liverpool, and worked variously as a merchant sailor, longshoreman, truck driver, railway fireman, and radio broadcaster, where he hosted the long-running show Jakestown on BBC Radio Merseyside.

See the March issue of Locus for a complete obituary.