Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Jeffrey Archer Dies at 86 After Writing and Political Career
Jeffrey Archer was a bestselling writer who had also been a politician in Britain.
His publisher said he died at home at age 86.
He had been writing books for about 50 years.
His last book, called “Adam and Eve,” was expected to come out soon.
Archer became a member of Parliament in 1969, when he was 29.
He left Parliament in 1974 after a company he had invested in collapsed.
Later, he became involved in political and legal scandals.
He said he sent money to Monica Coghlan to help her get away from reporters.
He was later jailed after a case involving perjury and the course of justice.
Publisher HarperCollins said Jeffrey Archer died suddenly and peacefully at home, aged 86.
Archer’s writing career spanned 50 years, and his final book, “Adam and Eve,” was due to launch.
He entered Parliament in 1969 after winning a by-election in Louth at age 29.
His parliamentary career ended in 1974 after the collapse of a Canadian company in which he had invested.
Archer faced political scandals, including a perjury and perverting-the-course-of-justice case that led to prison.
- Who
- Jeffrey Archer, bestselling novelist and former Conservative MP.
- What
- Archer died aged 86; his publisher said he died suddenly and peacefully at home.
- When
- The publisher announced his death on Tuesday, local time; the article does not give a date.
- Where
- At his home; the article does not specify its location.
- Why
- The articles do not state a cause of death.
Archer’s account
Claims and legal proceedings
Payment to Monica Coghlan
Archer’s account
Archer said he sent £2,000 to Monica Coghlan to help her leave the country and avoid reporters.
Claims and legal proceedings
The Daily Star suggested the payment had a different purpose; Archer sued the newspaper for libel.
False alibi and legal case
Archer’s account
The article says Archer’s political career included a trial after a friend admitted providing a false alibi during the libel case.
Claims and legal proceedings
Archer was tried for perjury and perverting the course of justice and was jailed.
- Age at death
- 86
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Writing career
- About 50 years
- Final book
- “Adam and Eve,” due to launch
- Entered Parliament
- 1969, after winning a by-election in Louth at age 29
- Left Parliament
- 1974, following the collapse of a Canadian industrial cleaning company in which he had invested
- First book
- “Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less,” published in 1975