Simon & Schuster UK to publish ex-Cambridge professor's memoir despite plagiarism allegations

Book publisher Simon and Schuster's United Kingdom office said Monday that it will push forward with its release of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday's memoir, despite his death and questions regarding his story. 

Arday, who was embroiled in a plagiarism scandal before his death, was unexpectedly found dead earlier this month. His death is not viewed as suspicious. 

Arday, who was 41-years-old when he died, faced considerable allegations of plagiarism while teaching at Cambridge and the university ultimately announced an investigation into his work, which prompted his resignation. He was the youngest black person to hold a full professorship at the university. 

The book publisher said it would still release the memoir "Great and Unfortunate Things," on Thursday as scheduled “in accordance with his family’s wishes," according to The Wrap. The memoir was released in the United States on Aug. 11, days before his death.

The memoir's release comes amid questions regarding plagiarism within the book itself. The book title appears to come from the TV show "Spartacus," and one encounter in the memoir also appears to draw from the television series.

In an excerpt, Arday claims an aid worker in Brazil told him that he was “destined to do great things,” but was also “destined for very sad and difficult things as well.” The title of his memoir appears to be a play on this prophecy.

In the very first episode of “Spartacus,” the protagonist’s wife tells him that she’s received a vision from the Gods, that if Spartacus goes to war, he is “destined for great and unfortunate things.” Episode seven of the first season is also called “Great and Unfortunate Things." 

The book publisher previously stood with Arday in light of the allegations, stating they worked closely with him and "can speak to the professionalism and integrity he has brought to every stage of the publication." 

Despite the book's upcoming publication in the United Kingdom, it has failed to find a wide audience in the United States. It only sold 433 tracked print copies during its first five days, the Wrap reported.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.