Jeffrey Archer, a renowned British novelist and former politician, passed away on Monday at the age of 86. His publisher, HarperCollins, announced that he died "suddenly and peacefully at home... between writing sessions". Archer was a bestselling author, having sold more than 300 million copies of his books worldwide. His novels, including "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less" and "Kane & Abel", found fans around the world with their fast-paced thrillers.
Archer's life was marked by both fame and controversy. He first made headlines when he entered parliament in 1969 at the age of 29. However, his stint in politics was short-lived, and he turned to writing to try to clear his debts after becoming embroiled in a fraudulent investment scheme. Despite this, he remained a central figure within the Conservative party, spending over 30 years in the upper House of Lords chamber and raising millions of pounds for charity.
Archer's downfall came in 1987 when he sued the Daily Star tabloid for saying he had paid a woman for sex, winning a then-record £500,000 in damages. However, the case returned to the public eye when he was selected as the Conservative candidate to become London's first elected mayor in 1999. A former friend accused him of lying, and Archer was eventually charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice, convicted, and sentenced to four years' imprisonment.
During his time in prison, Archer wrote "A Prison Diary", which became a bestseller. Despite his fall from grace, his literary career continued to thrive. His books were sold in 119 countries, and he was due to speak at several events, including the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Archer's wife, Mary, also played a significant role in his life and career, with the judge in his trial famously describing her as having "elegance", "fragrance", and "radiance".
Archer's legacy as a writer is undeniable. He spent a total of five and a half years on the New York Times bestseller lists and had fans around the world. His publisher, HarperCollins, described him as a "true friend" and a writer who had brought joy to generations of readers. Kate Elton, HarperCollins' UK CEO and Archer's editor, said the company was "devastated" to have lost him.
Archer had been active in the days leading up to his death, meeting and signing books for fans in London's Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday. He had also been scheduled to speak at events this week, including a meeting with Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservatives. Badenoch expressed her shock at the news, having received a message from Archer on Monday morning.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Archer explained that he had decided to make "Adam and Eve" his final novel, saying "It's been 50 very happy years. But there is always a time. I think the clever thing in life is when to get out." His death has sent shockwaves through the literary world, with many paying tribute to his life and work.
Key points
- Jeffrey Archer died at the age of 86, just one day before his final novel "Adam and Eve" was due to be published.
- Archer's life was marked by both fame and controversy, including a two-year stint in prison for perjury.
- He sold more than 300 million copies of his books worldwide, spending a total of five and a half years on the New York Times bestseller lists.
