Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former Conservative politician whose political career ended after he was convicted of perjury, has
died at the age of 86. Archer died “suddenly and peacefully” at his home on Monday, “between writing sessions”, his publisher HarperCollins said. The author died just one day before the scheduled publication of his latest novel, Adam and Eve, which is due to be released on Tuesday. Archer became one of Britain's most commercially successful writers, selling around 300 million books across 119 countries and in 49 languages. His 1979 novel Kane and Abel became one of his best-known works and has sold more than 30 million copies. His first novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, was published in 1976, beginning a literary career that would eventually span five decades. Archer spent more than 14 years on the Sunday Times bestseller list and more than five years on the New York Times bestseller list. Political Career and Scandal Archer entered politics at the age of 29 when he was elected as Conservative MP for Louth in a 1969 by-election. He served in Parliament for five years before leaving the Commons in 1974 amid financial difficulties following a fraudulent investment scheme that left him heavily in debt.His writing career helped restore his finances, and he later returned to frontline Conservative politics. Margaret Thatcher appointed him deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in 1985. His political career was derailed after allegations emerged that he had paid money to a sex worker. Archer sued the Star newspaper for libel and won £500,000 in damages in 1987. More than a decade later, it emerged that Archer had lied during the libel case. He was convicted in 2001 of perjury and perverting the course of justice and sentenced to four years in prison. Archer was released in 2003 after serving half of his sentence. He retained his position as a life peer in the House of Lords but played little active role in the chamber before retiring in 2024. Final Novel and Literary Legacy Despite his political downfall, Archer maintained a prolific writing career, producing novels, short stories, plays and children's books. HarperCollins UK chief executive and Archer's editor, Kate Elton, described him as a “master storyteller” who was exceptionally committed to revising his work. Archer attended a sold-out event with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth at Leicester Square Theatre in London on Sunday, where he discussed and signed copies of his new novel. Brandreth paid tribute to the author on X, saying Archer had been in “wonderful, ebullient form” and remained “a great storyteller to the last”. Archer is survived by his wife, Mary, and their sons, William and James.
