Jeffrey Archer, Best-Selling Author and Former Tory MP, Dies at 86
The prolific writer and political figure died peacefully at home just a day after promoting his final novel.
Jeffrey Archer, the acclaimed author and former Conservative Member of Parliament, has died at the age of 86. His publisher announced his peaceful passing at home on Monday, which occurred "between writing sessions." Archer was known for his prolific career, with his novels selling over 300 million copies worldwide in 115 countries.
His final public appearance was on Sunday, less than 24 hours before his death, where he was on stage at the Leicester Square Theatre in London with his friend Gyles Brandreth. They discussed Archer's latest book, "Adam and Eve," which he described as his literary epitaph. Brandreth shared photos from the event, noting that Archer was in "brilliant form" and "in the most wonderful, ebullient form."
Archer's literary career began in earnest after his political career, with his 1979 novel "Kane and Abel" becoming a global bestseller. He served as the MP for Louth between 1969 and 1974 and later became Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party in 1985 during Margaret Thatcher's premiership. He was made a life peer in 1992.
Born in London in 1940, Archer’s life journey included stints as a police constable and a physical education instructor before he attended Oxford University. He married Dame Mary Weeden in 1966, and the couple had two sons, William and James, and five grandchildren. Their 60th wedding anniversary was celebrated in July.
Archer's public life was not without controversy. He faced accusations of lying in a previous libel case, which led to him withdrawing from a bid to become Mayor of London. He was later found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2001 and served two years in prison. Despite these challenges, his wife Mary, an eminent scientist, remained a steadfast partner throughout their 60-year marriage.
In recent years, Archer had spoken about his health, including a cancer diagnosis in 2013 that led to surgery and rendered him permanently impotent. He also expressed concerns about aging, particularly the dread of Alzheimer's, and mentioned testing his memory regularly. In an interview shortly before his death, he reflected on his career and his final novel, "Adam and Eve," noting his physical limitations but asserting his mental acuity.
His publisher, HarperCollins, confirmed the release of "Adam and Eve" was scheduled. The novel explores an alternate history scenario involving Adolf Hitler's reluctance to invade Britain. Archer had stated that he did not believe he could undertake such demanding work again at his age and wanted to avoid a situation where authors continued writing after his death.
Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, described Archer as a "dear friend" and expressed shock at his passing. His prolific output and engaging storytelling cemented his place as a beloved figure in literature, even as his political career and personal life garnered significant attention.