In 2009, author Dave Eggers was honoured alongside Gore Vidal at the National Book Awards. He said of Vidal at the time:

… [he] meant everything to me when I was learning how to write and learning how to read. His words, his intellect, his activism, his ability and willingness to always speak up and hold his government accountable, especially, has been so inspiring to me I can’t articulate it.

Vidal himself, who died last night aged 86, once said:

Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.

I can’t disagree with either. RIP Gore.