Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86, his publisher has confirmed.
Mr Archer’s five-decade career as an author saw him sell more than 300 million books including the Clifton Chronicles and Kane and Abel.
He died peacefully on Monday while at home between writing sessions, the publisher said.
Jeffrey Archer’s final interview was an exclusive sit-down with GB News which will air on Britain’s Newsroom tomorrow from 10am.
Mr Archer combined a lengthy political career with huge success as a novelist, and was appointed to the House of Lords as a life peer in 1992.
His time in politics was interrupted in 2001 when he was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice.
The case centred on a libel action Archer had brought against The Star newspaper 13 years earlier, which resulted in him being awarded £500,000 in damages. An Old Bailey jury later found that he had lied during the case.
He was released early in 2003 and subsequently returned to the Lords, where he remained until retiring from Parliament in 2024.
Jeffrey Archer’s final interview was with GB News, and will air on Britain’s Newsroom tomorrow from 10am
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GB NEWS
Kate Elton, HarperCollins UK’s chief executive and Archer’s editor, paid tribute to the author, describing working with him as “one of the great privileges” of her publishing career.
She said Mr Archer was a “master storyteller” and an “editor’s dream”, praising his extraordinary work ethic and determination to repeatedly revise his manuscripts until he was satisfied with every word.
Ms Elton also described him as a “true champion” of the collaborative nature of publishing.
Among those paying tribute was Nadhim Zahawi, former Tory Chancellor, who posted to X: “Jeffrey Archer was a dear friend and an extraordinary human being. His gift for storytelling was matched by his wit, warmth and boundless energy. Life was never dull in Jeffrey’s company.
Mr Archer’s extraordinary life saw him undertake political roles, as well as being a bestselling author
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PA
“As a charity auctioneer, he was a force of nature: commanding a room, making people laugh and persuading them to dig deeper. He used that remarkable talent to raise millions for charitable causes, leaving a legacy of generosity that reaches far beyond his books.
“Behind the celebrated author was a man with an enormous heart, fiercely loyal to his friends and generous with his time.
“My love and deepest condolences go to Mary and the whole family.
“Jeffrey, it was a privilege to call you my friend. You were one of a kind. May you rest in eternal peace.”
