Guwahati: British author and former Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer, whose bestselling novels sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, has died at the age of 86, his publisher HarperCollins said.

Archer died “suddenly and peacefully” at his home on Monday, reportedly while working between writing sessions. His editor, Kate Elton, described him as a “master storyteller” and praised him as an exceptional writer to work with.

Archer was scheduled to appear at the Cheltenham Literary Festival this week to discuss Adam and Eve, which he had described as his final novel after five decades as a writer. The book was due to be published on Tuesday.

The author had reportedly attended a book-signing event in London on Sunday. He had also disclosed in 2014 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Archer joined the Conservative Party while studying at Oxford University and entered Parliament at the age of 29 after winning a by-election in 1969.

His political career was cut short in 1974 after the collapse of a Canadian industrial cleaning company in which he had invested left him facing severe financial difficulties.

He subsequently turned to writing, drawing on his experiences to produce his debut novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, published in 1975. Although critics were initially unimpressed, the book marked the beginning of a highly successful literary career.

Archer went on to write a string of commercially successful novels, often centred on politics, wealth, ambition and high finance. His books eventually sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide.

His political career also saw a revival. In 1985, then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher appointed him Conservative deputy chairman, describing him as a high-achieving member of the party.

Archer resigned from the post a year later after acknowledging what he described as a “lack of judgment” involving a £2,000 payment to prostitute Monica Coghlan.

He maintained that the payment was intended to help Coghlan leave Britain to escape media attention. He had earlier sued the Daily Star over allegations that he had slept with her and won £500,000 in damages.

In 1992, Archer was recommended for a peerage by Prime Minister John Major, allowing him to take a seat in the House of Lords.

He later sought to become the Conservative candidate for London mayor in 1999. However, his political ambitions collapsed after allegations emerged that he had arranged for a friend, Ted Francis, to provide a false alibi in connection with his earlier libel case.

Archer abandoned his mayoral campaign and was subsequently expelled from the Conservative Party.

In 2001, he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice and sentenced to four years in prison. He was released on parole in 2003.

Despite the controversies, Archer continued writing and maintained a prominent place in popular fiction.

His wife, Mary Archer, a scientist, remained supportive throughout his legal and political troubles. Archer retired from the House of Lords in 2024. Mary Archer serves as Chancellor of the University of Buckingham.