Susan Sontag, prominent novelist, essayist and critic, died today in New York. Complications from acute myelogenous leukemia, a disease she’d been struggling with for the past three decades, were the cause of death. Age 71, Sontag can be remembered as a defender of the avant-garde and an ardently outspoken political mind.

Not only survived by her family, Ms. Sontag bequeathed to the world four novels, and many essays and short stories. She was also a filmmaker, playwright and director. Her best known works include the collection of essays 'Against Interpretation' (1966), novels 'Death Kit' (1967), 'Styles of Radical Will' (1969), 'Under the Sign of Saturn' (1982)and 'In America' (2000).

In addition to being among the few who, through their writing, rose to celebrity status, Ms. Sontag accrued many literary accolades during her career. National Book Critics' Circle Award was granted to her, and more notably, so was a MacArthur 'genius' grant. Monuments to Ms. Sontag’s celebrity are her appearances in films by Woody Allen and Andy Warhol. She also graced the cover of magazines, and was asked to pose for the absolut ad campaign.

Ms. Sontag will be a sorely missed member of the intellectual community. Her contributions to the literary world and the grand scope of pop culture are her best memorial.