In loving memory of 20 41 Considine (10/10/27–24/7/18), the doyenne of crossword compilers. The unclued lights and those clued without thematic definition are of a kind. Ignore two accents. All are confirmed in Chambers.
 

Across

4    Poor twerp forced to know his lines thus? (11, hyphened)
11    Travelling bohemians leave me out (7)
13    Finish in airport building, losing bit of luggage, note (9)
14    Novelist rejecting material (5)
19    Thanks team about seaman parked in 6? (7)
21    State of posh topper returned (4)
24    One of 37 runs away from Spanish city (4)
25    Full-bodied lover (7)
31    Sound preceding the foxtrot (4)
32    Looking seedy, I arrive at holiday destination (7)
34    Arkwright getting into yacht regularly (4)
35    French gentlemen and I in back seat, with these caps (7)
37    Marks with crosses (5)
40    Member’s swagger (5)
42    On reflection, some banana I like (6)
43    Airport employee embraces spinner initially and opener? (7)
44    Provide further insight about life-threatening fiat being withdrawn (11, hyphened)
 

Down

1    House seller from E21 with a polite fellow (11, two words)
2    That is 6, cycling (6)
3    North-east wind unknown? Nonsense (5)
5    Starts to official hearings ignore ominous state (4)
6    Set of organ pipes — gross? (4)
7    Half the port with committee can be drunk (7)
8    Threading one’s way around verge, getting in (7)
9    Tonics I’ve spilt when being thrown out? (9)
15    Spanish artist accepting college computer (5)
17    Country, ie Terra Nova! (7)
18    Red Hen in the Plantation? (11, two words)
26    Gas-pipe turned up above hospital (5)
27    Little dog which Star Trek character suggests (7)
28    The M25, say — alternatively part by a loch (7)
29    No time for horse-riding competitions at this time of day (7)
33    Some French tribe (6)
36    Mother is coming round with Muslim potentates (5)
38    Biting flavour upset biting insect (4)
39    Worker beginning to embed stake (4)
 
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 27 August. 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 2371, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.