Former British politician and bestselling novelist Jeffrey Archer has died aged 86. His life and career were marked by dramatic highs and lows, from political rise to a perjury conviction and later literary acclaim.
Early political career
Archer first entered public life as a Conservative MP, winning the Lincolnshire seat of Louth in a 1969 byelection at the age of 30 with a majority of 10,727. He was photographed waving to supporters from the town hall balcony after his victory.
By 1986, he had risen to deputy chairman of the Conservatives, appearing alongside Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at the party conference in Bournemouth.
Literary success and legal troubles
Alongside politics, Archer built a career as a novelist, publishing works such as The Prodigal Daughter in 1982. He also wrote plays, including Beyond Reasonable Doubt, which he toured with in 1990.
His legal troubles culminated in a trial for perjury at the Old Bailey in 2001. As the jury was sent home for the day after failing to reach a verdict, Archer was photographed leaving the court with his wife Mary and their two sons.
Later years and public appearances
In 2012, Mary Archer was made a dame at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, with Archer and their son William in attendance. The couple also attended a national service of thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday at St Paul's Cathedral in 2016.
In later years, Archer remained a public figure, appearing at literary festivals and events. In September 2025, he gave a speech at a dinner at Lord's cricket ground in London to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ian Botham's first charity walk and Lord Botham's upcoming 70th birthday.
