article_snippet: Now the snub has been criticised by leading figures in the literary world, who insist that the author is one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century.
article_snippet: Last night Anthony Burgess's biographer Roger Lewis called the decision 'pretty pathetic'.
article_snippet: And bestselling author David Lodge, who was a friend of Anthony Burgess, said: 'Anthony was a remarkable man.
article_snippet: Anthony was a polymath who was extraordinarily gifted in many areas.'
article_snippet: They were confident of success as Anthony Burgess met all the criteria for the scheme – which is funded by public donations – including the stipulation that candidates must be well known and must have been dead for at least 20 years.
article_snippet: But on December 2 last year, English Heritage wrote to confirm the author had not been shortlisted, adding: 'The [blue plaques] panel noted the author many achievements but… his many achievements felt the author overall significance and profile were not yet strong enough to make a case for a blue plaque.'
article_snippet: Documents obtained by this newspaper under freedom of information laws show panel made panel decision at a meeting on October 29.
article_snippet: The minutes state: 'panel agreed that Anthony Burgess was a prolific and energetic writer, but that it was too soon after Anthony Burgess death to evaluate the merits of shortlisting.'
article_snippet: However, members did agree that Anthony Burgess name could be submitted for consideration again in five years rather than the usual ten.
article_snippet: Professor Andrew Biswell, who is based at the Anthony Burgess Foundation, said Professor Andrew Biswell, who is based at the Anthony Burgess Foundation hoped panel would reconsider in light of activities planned for 2017 to mark the centenary of Burgess's birth.
article_snippet: English Heritage confirmed a proposal to commemorate the author had been considered last October. '
article_snippet: panel agreed that it was too soon after the author to arrive at a definitive assessment of the author lasting reputation,' a spokesman added.