Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former Conservative politician whose career combined extraordinary literary success with a very public fall from grace, has died aged 86.
His publisher HarperCollins announced on Monday that Archer had died "suddenly and peacefully" at his home, "between writing sessions". He had been due to discuss his final novel, "Adam and Eve", at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this Saturday. The book is being published this week, a day after his death.
A publishing phenomenon
Archer sold more than 300 million copies worldwide across a five-decade writing career. He was best known for pacy thrillers including his 1979 classic "Kane & Abel" and his 1976 debut, "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less". His books were sold in 119 countries and he spent a combined five and a half years on The New York Times bestseller lists, according to HarperCollins.
Kate Elton, HarperCollins' UK chief executive and Archer's editor, said: "We're all devastated to have lost a writer who has brought joy to generations of readers — and a true friend." She also described him as "the master storyteller and an editor's dream".
From Parliament to prison
Before fiction, Archer had a prominent political career. He was elected as the Conservative MP for Louth in 1969 at the age of 29 and later served as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher.
His political career was overshadowed by scandal. In 1987, Archer sued the Daily Star tabloid for claiming he had paid a woman for sex, winning a then-record £500,000 in damages. When he was selected as the Conservative candidate for London's first elected mayor in 1999, a former friend accused him of lying in that case. Archer was eventually charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice, convicted and sentenced to four years in prison in 2001. He served two years, during which time he wrote "A Prison Diary".
Archer is survived by his wife, Dame Mary Archer, their two sons James and William, two granddaughters and three grandsons. The couple had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.
Sources:
- CNN: Jeffrey Archer, bestselling UK novelist and scandal-plagued politician, dies aged 86
- The National: Bestselling British author of 300 million books dies aged 86
- Nikkei Asia (Reuters): Jeffrey Archer, UK novelist and politician, dies at 86
His publisher HarperCollins announced on Monday that Archer had died "suddenly and peacefully" at his home, "between writing sessions". He had been due to discuss his final novel, "Adam and Eve", at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this Saturday. The book is being published this week, a day after his death.
A publishing phenomenon
Archer sold more than 300 million copies worldwide across a five-decade writing career. He was best known for pacy thrillers including his 1979 classic "Kane & Abel" and his 1976 debut, "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less". His books were sold in 119 countries and he spent a combined five and a half years on The New York Times bestseller lists, according to HarperCollins.
Kate Elton, HarperCollins' UK chief executive and Archer's editor, said: "We're all devastated to have lost a writer who has brought joy to generations of readers — and a true friend." She also described him as "the master storyteller and an editor's dream".
From Parliament to prison
Before fiction, Archer had a prominent political career. He was elected as the Conservative MP for Louth in 1969 at the age of 29 and later served as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher.
His political career was overshadowed by scandal. In 1987, Archer sued the Daily Star tabloid for claiming he had paid a woman for sex, winning a then-record £500,000 in damages. When he was selected as the Conservative candidate for London's first elected mayor in 1999, a former friend accused him of lying in that case. Archer was eventually charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice, convicted and sentenced to four years in prison in 2001. He served two years, during which time he wrote "A Prison Diary".
Archer is survived by his wife, Dame Mary Archer, their two sons James and William, two granddaughters and three grandsons. The couple had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.
Sources:
- CNN: Jeffrey Archer, bestselling UK novelist and scandal-plagued politician, dies aged 86
- The National: Bestselling British author of 300 million books dies aged 86
- Nikkei Asia (Reuters): Jeffrey Archer, UK novelist and politician, dies at 86
