Frederick Forsyth, the acclaimed British author behind bestsellers such as The Day of the Jackal, has passed away at the age of 86 following a brief illness, as confirmed by his literary agent, Jonathan Lloyd. Forsyth died at home on Monday, surrounded by family, leaving behind a significant legacy in the thriller genre.
Forsyth, born in Kent, England, in 1938, initially served as a Royal Air Force pilot before his career took a turn towards journalism as a foreign correspondent. His coverage of an attempted assassination of French President Charles de Gaulle in 1962 inspired his renowned debut novel, The Day of the Jackal, published in 1971. The book gained worldwide fame, later adapted into a successful film starring Edward Fox in 1973 and a recent television series featuring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.
Forsyth’s intriguing background included work with the British intelligence agency MI6, a detail he revealed in a 2015 BBC interview. His time covering the civil war in Nigeria during the 1960s led him into this covert role, which he described as a response to the intense global climate of the Cold War. Although he provided various services for MI6, he clarified that he did not receive payment for his contributions.
With over 25 published works, Forsyth amassed a staggering readership of more than 75 million copies sold worldwide. His notable titles included The Afghan, The Kill List, The Dogs of War, and The Fist of God. His existing popularity remains strong, with millions still engaging with his thrillers, which are held in high regard and regarded as benchmarks for contemporary authors in the genre.
Looking ahead, Forsyth’s enduring influence will be evident in Revenge of Odessa, a sequel to The Odessa File that he collaborated on with fellow thriller writer Tony Kent, set for release in August. His publisher, Bill Scott-Kerr, reflected on Forsyth’s impact, noting that his works continue to set standards within the thriller genre, inspiring new generations of writers.
The passing of Frederick Forsyth marks the end of an era for thriller literature, and he will be fondly remembered for his remarkable contributions that have left an indelible mark on the literary world.