
Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86, days before new novel’s release
The novelist and former Conservative politician died at home on Monday, HarperCollins said. Adam and Eve was scheduled for publication the following day.
Event
Novelist and former Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer died suddenly and peacefully at home on Monday, aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said. A life peer, he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice and served four years in prison. His new novel, Adam and Eve, is due to be published on 6 October.
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The novelist and former Conservative politician died at home on Monday, HarperCollins said. Adam and Eve was scheduled for publication the following day.
Background
Jeffrey Archer was a novelist and former Conservative politician. He served as an MP for five years, became the party’s deputy chairman and was made a life peer in 1992. He was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice over evidence in a 1987 libel case, and served four years in prison. His first novel, *Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less*, appeared in 1976; *Kane and Abel* has sold more than 30 million copies, according to the article. He retired from the House of Lords in 2024.
Jeffrey Archer was a novelist and former Conservative politician. He served as an MP for five years, became the party’s deputy chairman and was made a life peer in 1992. He was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice over evidence in a 1987 libel case, and serve
Fact cards
Key entities: Jeffrey Archer, HarperCollins, Adam and Eve, Conservative Party.
What was Jeffrey Archer known for? He was a novelist and former Conservative politician; *Kane and Abel* has sold more than 30 million copies, according to the article. What political roles did he hold? He was a Conservative MP for five years, later the party’s deputy chairman an
The Guardian Culture | https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/05/jeffrey-archer-former-conservative-politician-and-novelist-dies-aged-86 | published 2026-10-05T20:42:02.000Z | primary source | The Guardian Culture article | Primary supplied account of the death, career, pub
1976: Archer’s first novel, *Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less*, was published. 1987: Libel case at the centre of evidence that later led to his conviction. 1992: Became a life peer. 2024: Retired from the House of Lords. Sunday, 4 October 2026: HarperCollins said he attended a
Timeline
Archer’s first novel, *Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less*, was published.
Libel case at the centre of evidence that later led to his conviction.
Became a life peer.
Retired from the House of Lords.
HarperCollins said he attended a sold-out book event with Gyles Brandreth.
HarperCollins said Archer died at home, aged 86.
*Adam and Eve* was scheduled for publication.
FAQ
He was a novelist and former Conservative politician; *Kane and Abel* has sold more than 30 million copies, according to the article.
He was a Conservative MP for five years, later the party’s deputy chairman and a life peer.
He was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice over evidence in a 1987 libel case, and served four years.
*Adam and Eve* was due to be published on 6 October, the day after his reported death.
He was a Conservative MP for five years, served as the party’s deputy chairman and became a life peer.
In 2024.
For perjury and perverting the course of justice.
The report does not state a cause.