Five unclued lights are titles of works by a person whose name is formed by two unclued lights. Three clues are definitions only; their answers exhibit all the unchecked letters of the titles. One unclued light consists of three words, and one consists of two words.
 

Across

1    Action in public at an end (8)
9    Fan-shaped tag left among lot (10)
16    Tawdry stuff in petition for monument? (6)
17    Lines in essence ignoring pressure causing poverty (5)
18    Expert, as admitted, is shrewd (5)
20    Doctor, florid, missing old country (7)
22    Dodgy dealer receiving money for stone (7)
25    Blunder from rogue short of time (5)
26    Returned a broken plate (5)
28    Bad end of move revolutionary attempted (7)
31    Absolute rule in form of meditation about garments (7)
33    Bone, one with problem, broken by force (7)
37    Delay embracing independent destiny (5)
38    Bleak syllabus, first to last (5)
40    Leaves debate about houses (3)
42    Substitute, unknown after hesitation, brooded (6)
43    Can you be in trouble for resilience? (8)
 

Down

2    Bird in river valley mostly (5)
3    Minister, weak, in bad shape (6)
4    Smooth second lap (5)
6    Clean network up, possessed by keenness, first off (7)
7    Sudden episode of illness (6)
8    King not in pack (4)
10    Former student’s unbounded slander accepted (6)
11    Workers, note, united in drills (9)
12    Make sensational variety of meals to admire (13)
13    Spots and dots in plaster surface? Not so (8)
15    Convivial, imbibing everything in wineglass (7)
19    Good and quiet in odd pubs or restaurants (9, two words)
23    Periodical energy, working in east (7)
27    Fruit consumed by insect for nourishment (7)
29    Being in a rage (6)
30    Find out about better part of antenna (6)
32    Lack of passion (6)
34    Positive demon in rowing boat (5)
35    Break before noon for pancake (5)
36    Complete yellow house (4)
 
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 2 October. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash — ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2327, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.