Bestselling author and former politician Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86

Bestselling author and former Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86, his publisher HarperCollins announced. According to BBC News, the London Evening Standard, and The Guardian, Archer passed away at his home. BBC News and the London Evening Standard reported that he died suddenly and peacefully on Monday between writing sessions. [1][3][6]

Archer achieved immense commercial success as a novelist over a five-decade writing career. BBC News reported that he sold more than 300 million books, while Wikipedia places his total global sales at over 320 million copies. Wikipedia notes that his 1979 novel Kane and Abel alone sold an estimated 34 million copies globally. [1][8]

Before his literary career, Archer served as the Member of Parliament for Louth from 1969 to 1974, according to Wikipedia. Wikipedia notes that he did not seek re-election after nearly going bankrupt, after which he revived his fortunes through writing. BBC News added that the former politician was jailed for perjury in 2001. [1][8]

His final novel, titled Adam and Eve, was finished prior to his death and is scheduled to be released later this month, according to BBC News and the London Evening Standard. BBC News also noted that he frequently set his stories in his home town of Wellington, Somerset. [1][3]