British author Jeffrey Archer dies at 86, publisher HarperCollins says
In short
Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former Conservative politician, died at his home on Monday aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said, describing the death as sudden and peaceful “between writing sessions”. His final novel, “Adam and Eve”, is due to be published on Tuesday, a day after his death, and he had been due to appear at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this weekend. HarperCollins said his books sold more than 300 million copies worldwide.
Read the full story 2 min read
Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former Conservative politician, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said. HarperCollins said he died suddenly and peacefully at his home on Monday, “between writing sessions”. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
His final novel, “Adam and Eve”, which he described as his last after 50 years of storytelling, was due to be published on Tuesday, a day after his death. He had been due to discuss the book at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this week, according to one document, or this weekend, according to two others. One document, citing The Sun, reported that he had been signing books for fans at an event in London on Sunday; another said he appeared with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth at a sold-out event at London's Leicester Square Theatre, where he met hundreds of readers. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Kate Elton, chief executive of HarperCollins UK 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 called him “the master storyteller and an editor's dream”. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
HarperCollins said his books sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, were sold in 119 countries and spent a combined five and a half years on The New York Times bestseller lists. He was best known for his 1976 debut “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less” and 1979's “Kane & Abel”. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Before turning to fiction he had a prominent political career, becoming a Conservative MP and later serving as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher. That career was overshadowed by scandal: in 1987 he sued the Daily Star tabloid over a claim that he had slept with a prostitute and won a then-record £500,000 ($660,450) in damages, and in 2001 he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice after lying during that libel case. He was sentenced to four years in prison and served two, during which he wrote “A Prison Diary”. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
One document said Archer was a familiar figure to readers in the UAE, having appeared several times at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in Dubai and the Sharjah International Book Fair. The documents differ on the timing of his entry into parliament: one says he became a Conservative MP in 1969, while another says he was an MP at 29 and joined the party as a student at Oxford. HarperCollins' announcement did not state a cause of death. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Archer was a long-selling author whose books, according to his publisher, reached 119 countries, and one document notes he appeared several times at UAE book events in Dubai and Sharjah, giving the story a local readership angle. His death comes the day before the publication of what he described as his final novel, and days before a planned festival appearance, leaving both events to proceed without him.
Key facts
- Jeffrey Archer died on Monday aged 86, publisher HarperCollins announced. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- HarperCollins said he died suddenly and peacefully at his home between writing sessions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- His novels sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, according to HarperCollins and his website. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- His final novel, “Adam and Eve”, was due to be published on Tuesday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He had been due to appear at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this week or weekend. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He was a former Conservative MP and later deputy chairman of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher. [ 2 , 3 ]
- In 2001 he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice, sentenced to four years and served two. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Archer died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- HarperCollins said he died suddenly and peacefully at his home between writing sessions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- HarperCollins UK chief executive and Archer's editor Kate Elton paid tribute to him, calling him a master storyteller and a true friend. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- His novels sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- His final novel, “Adam and Eve”, was due to be published on Tuesday, a day after his death. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He had been due to discuss the book at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He was a Conservative MP and later served as a senior party official or deputy chairman under Margaret Thatcher. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He was convicted in 2001 of perjury and perverting the course of justice over evidence in a libel case he brought against the Daily Star, sentenced to four years' imprisonment and served two. [ 2 , 3 ]
- 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. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The cause of Archer's death is not stated. The publisher said only that he died suddenly and peacefully; one document mentions a 2014 prostate cancer diagnosis but does not link it to his death.
- When Archer entered parliament is reported differently. One document says he became a Conservative MP in 1969, while another says he was an MP at 29 and joined the party as a student; the documents do not reconcile these accounts.
- A reported book-signing in London on Sunday is based on a single tabloid report. Only one document carries this, and it attributes it to The Sun rather than to a first-hand source.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Gulf News publishes its report on Archer's death, citing HarperCollins and The Sun's account of a London book signing the day before. [ 1 ]
- Emirates 24|7 publishes its report, citing HarperCollins and summarising the 1987 libel case, the perjury conviction and his time in prison. [ 2 ]
- The National publishes its report, citing HarperCollins on sales in 119 countries, the final novel and Archer's past appearances at UAE book events. [ 3 ]