Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Bestselling British Author and Former Politician Jeffrey Archer Dies at 86
Jeffrey Archer was a British writer and politician who died at 86.
His publisher said he died peacefully at home on Monday, but did not say why.
His books sold more than 300 million copies over five decades.
His last novel, Adam and Eve, was expected to come out around the time of his death.
Archer was elected to Parliament in 1969 and later became a senior Conservative Party official.
He also became known for a court case about a false alibi.
In 2001, he was found guilty of perjury and trying to obstruct justice and was sent to prison.
He was granted parole in 2003.
Publisher HarperCollins said Jeffrey Archer died suddenly and peacefully at home on Monday, aged 86; no cause was disclosed.
His novels sold more than 300 million copies during a writing career spanning five decades.
His final novel, Adam and Eve, was due for release on Tuesday or later in the month, depending on the article.
Archer became a Conservative MP in 1969 and was appointed deputy chairman of the party by Margaret Thatcher in 1985.
He was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2001 over a false alibi in a libel case, sentenced to four years, and released on parole in 2003.
- Who
- Jeffrey Archer, British bestselling author and former Conservative politician.
- What
- Archer died aged 86, according to his publisher HarperCollins.
- When
- Monday; the articles do not give a calendar date.
- Where
- At his home; the articles do not specify its location.
- Why
- The cause of death was not disclosed.
Archer’s account
Court’s finding
Payment and false alibi
Archer’s account
Archer said he sent £2,000 to Monica Coghlan to help her leave the country and avoid reporters, and sued the Daily Star over its claims about him.
Court’s finding
Archer was convicted in 2001 of perjury and perverting the course of justice over a false alibi in the libel case.
- Age
- 86
- Death announcement
- HarperCollins said Archer died suddenly and peacefully at home on Monday.
- Cause of death
- Not disclosed.
- Books sold
- More than 300 million, according to the articles.
- Political career
- Elected Conservative MP in 1969; appointed deputy chairman of the party in 1985.
- Final novel
- Adam and Eve was described as his final novel; articles variously say it was due Tuesday or later in the month.
- Conviction and sentence
- Convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2001; sentenced to four years and granted parole in 2003.
- House of Lords
- Archer retired from the House of Lords in 2024.
Sources
Best-selling British novelist and former politician Jeffrey Archer dies at 86
Jeffrey Archer Dead: 'Kane & Abel' Author & UK Politician Was 86
Jeffrey Archer dies at 86, days before release of his final novel
Jeffrey Archer, British author and former politician, dies at 86
Jeffrey Archer, UK Author And Former Conservative Politician, Dies At 86
Best-Selling British Author Jeffrey Archer Dies Aged 86
Jeffrey Archer, Disgraced MP Turned Bestselling Author, Dies at 86
Jeffrey Archer, bestselling British author, dies at 86