Acclaimed author and former British politician Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86.HarperCollins, Archer’s publisher, said he died “suddenly and peacefully at home” on Monday, between writing sessions. Kate Elton, HarperCollins UK CEO 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.”Archer was a bestselling author who sold more than 300 million books during a five-decade writing career, was best known for novels including Kane and Abel and the Clifton Chronicles.Archer was also a former Conservative MP whose political career was derailed after he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice. He was jailed in 2001 after being found guilty of lying during a libel case he had brought against the Daily Star.
From Parliament to bestselling fiction
Archer was born in North London on April 15, 1940.In 1969, he became one of the youngest members of the House of Commons after he was elected as the Conservative MP for Louth in Lincolnshire. He served in Parliament for five years before becoming deputy chairman of the Conservative Party.His political career came to an abrupt halt after the libel case against the Daily Star. Archer had initially won £500,000 in damages, but was later found to have lied about the circumstances surrounding the case.He was released from prison in 2003 and later returned to the House of Lords, where he remained until retiring in 2024.
Tributes pour in
Archer’s final novel, Adam and Eve, is due to be released this week. HarperCollins described him as a “master storyteller” and said his readers “meant everything to him”.Archer and his wife Mary celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. They have two sons and five grandchildren.Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch described his death as a “huge shock”, saying Archer had sent her a message on the morning of his death and had been “a great source of encouragement”.Former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who described Archer as a “dear friend”, also paid tribute to his wit, warmth and energy.“Life was never dull in Jeffrey’s company,” Zahawi said.
