Chuck Feeney, the philanthropist who has donated millions to Ireland North and South, has been described as "decent, generous and humble", by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. He was speaking at Queen's University at the Belfast launch of the biography written by former Irish Timescorrespondent Conor O'Clery.
Mr McGuinness described the biography as "a work of art" and underscored the benefit to Ireland of Mr Feeney's fortune.
The launch was hosted by the university's pro-vice-chancellor, Prof Gerry McCormac, who has witnessed at first hand Mr Feeney's philanthropy and spoke of its value to research.
Mr O'Clery described his subject's extraordinary humility, his avoidance of lavish lifestyle and his "hatred of being thanked". He told his audience Mr Feeney preferred to thank those who were putting his vast fortune to good use around the world.