Still a demand for the obituary: Robin Williams in the press

The media have been quick to use the stereotype of the sad clown in discussing Robin Williams' death (Getty)

Poignant obituaries for the actor and comedian Robin Williams were not hard to find last week. But could the obit itself – a feature best suited to print media – be on its way out?

Jeremy O’Grady, editor-in-chief of The Week, is about to publish a volume of more than 120 recent classics of the genre under the title: The Lives of the Famous and The Infamous. Detailed life stories of obscure eccentrics – beloved by newspaper obituary editors – may not be cost-effective for websites.

“You often stumble on an obituary because it’s in the order of the paper,” says O’Grady. “You are not order-driven when you are online.”

A volume of more than 120 recent classics of the genre. including the obit of Mary Whitehouse, is about to be published (Getty)

The book contains a marvellous mix, from Mary Whitehouse to Amy Winehouse. “It’s the ultimate loo read,” says O’Grady, inadvertently punning on the late American music great Lou Reed – whose obit is also included.