Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, the renowned author of acclaimed novels such as "Beloved" and "Song of Solomon," died at the age of 88, her family said.The author, who was a seminal voice in African-American literature, died on Monday night at Montefiore Medical Center in New York."It is with profound sadness we share that, following a short illness, our adored mother and grandmother, Toni Morrison, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by family and friends," Morrison's family said in a statement, as cited by Al Jazeera."Although her passing represents a tremendous loss, we are grateful she had a long, well-lived life," the statement added, describing her as "the consummate writer who treasured the written word," the statement added.Morrison published a total of 11 books during a career spanning over five decades and was the first black woman to receive a Noble prize. Her work, which delved into the themes of race and racism, among others, helped raise United States' ...
