Hitchens was a brilliant writer, and a vocal atheist in his attacks on theism. I credit him for engaging theists and debating them, on their own turf, even when at times (as with William Lane Craig) he was a fish out of the deep waters of academic philosophy.
I feel a sadness and loss on hearing of his death this morning.
Here are some tributes from Mail Online.
Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair: 'He was a gift from, dare I say it, God.'
Salman Rushdie: 'Goodbye my beloved friend. A great voice falls silent. A great heart stops.'
Science writer Richard Dawkins said: 'Christopher Hitchens, finest orator of our time, fellow horseman, valiant fighter against all tyrants including God.'
American pastor Rick Warren, who delivered the invocation at President Barack Obama's inauguration: 'My friend Christopher Hitchens has died. I loved and prayed for him constantly and grieve his loss. He knows the Truth now.'
Michael Shermer, the founding publisher of Skeptic magazine: 'We shall miss you, your voice, your pen, and most of all your mind Christopher. 'The world is better because of you.'
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: 'I worked as an intern for him years ago. My job was to fact check his articles. Since he had a photographic memory and an encyclopaedic mind it was the easiest job I've ever done. 'He will be massively missed by everyone who values strong opinions and great writing.'
