Jeffrey Archer, Bestselling Novelist and Former Politician, Dies at 86

Jeffrey Archer, the British novelist whose bestselling career ran alongside a dramatic political rise, scandal and imprisonment, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said on Monday.

Archer died suddenly and peacefully at his home on October 5, “between writing sessions”, according to the publisher. His death came a day before the scheduled publication of Adam & Eve, which he had described as his final novel.

Archer was one of Britain’s most commercially successful writers, selling more than 300 million books in 119 countries during a career spanning five decades. His best-known works included Kane & Abel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less and the Clifton Chronicles series.

His literary career began in 1976 with Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less. He went on to spend more than five years on the New York Times bestseller lists, according to HarperCollins.

But Archer’s public life extended well beyond publishing. He entered Parliament as a Conservative MP at 29 and later became deputy chairman of the Conservative Party under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

His political career was eventually overshadowed by a legal scandal that began with a libel case against the Daily Star. Archer sued the newspaper in 1987 after it alleged that he had paid a woman for sex and won substantial damages.

The case returned to prominence years later after Archer was accused of fabricating an alibi and lying during the proceedings. He was convicted in 2001 of perjury and perverting the course of justice and sentenced to four years in prison. He served about two years.

While in prison, Archer wrote A Prison Diary, adding another chapter to a life that had already moved from Parliament to the bestseller lists and then to criminal conviction.

The imprisonment did not end his writing career. Archer returned to publishing and continued producing novels and other works for more than two decades. He became a member of the House of Lords in 1992 and remained there until retiring in 2024.

He remained professionally active almost until his death. On October 4, the day before he died, Archer appeared at a sold-out event at London’s Leicester Square Theatre with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, where he discussed his final novel and signed books for readers. He had also been scheduled to appear at the Cheltenham Literature Festival later in the week.

Kate Elton, UK chief executive of HarperCollins and Archer’s editor, described him as a “master storyteller” and said the publisher had lost a writer who had brought joy to generations of readers.

Archer is survived by his wife, Dame Mary Archer, their two sons and five grandchildren. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

His final novel, Adam & Eve, is being published on October 6, leaving Archer’s last work to reach readers just as his five-decade writing career comes to an end.

Source: FSX Business News