Frederick Forsyth, Author of ‘The Day of the Jackal,’ Dies Aged 86

Frederick Forsyth, one of Britain’s most influential thriller writers, has died at the age of 86 following a short illness. His passing marks the end of an era in political espionage fiction.

The news was confirmed by his literary agent, Jonathan Lloyd, who stated that Forsyth died at home on Monday morning, surrounded by his loved ones.

“We mourn the passing of one of the world’s greatest thriller writers,” Lloyd said.

Born in Kent in 1938, Frederick Forsyth led an adventurous life long before he became a celebrated novelist. His early years saw him flying with the Royal Air Force. Later, he turned to journalism and became a foreign correspondent.

One of the pivotal moments of his reporting career came in 1962, when he covered the attempted assassination of French President Charles de Gaulle. That event ignited the creative spark for The Day of the Jackal, a gripping tale of a professional assassin that would become his most famous work.

The novel, published in 1971, was an instant global hit. It not only established Forsyth as a leading name in thriller writing but also inspired a 1973 film adaptation starring Edward Fox. Decades later, the story was reimagined for television, featuring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.

In a 2015 BBC interview, Forsyth made headlines once more—this time by revealing his covert work with MI6 during the 1960s.

“The zeitgeist was different,” he told the BBC. “The Cold War was very much on.”

He first provided intelligence during the Nigerian civil war, and although he claimed he wasn’t compensated for the work, he admitted, “it was hard to say no.”

The revelation added another layer of intrigue to the life of a man who made a career out of writing about spies, soldiers, and state secrets.

Frederick Forsyth’s career spanned decades, during which he penned over 25 novels. His bestselling titles include The Afghan, The Kill List, The Dogs of War, and The Fist of God. To date, his works have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide.

His publisher, Bill Scott-Kerr, spoke of Forsyth’s enduring appeal: “Still read by millions across the world, Freddie’s thrillers define the genre and are still the benchmark to which contemporary writers aspire.”

Forsyth’s literary journey isn’t quite over. His final project, Revenge of Odessa—a sequel to his 1974 hit The Odessa File—was co-authored with fellow thriller writer Tony Kent. The book is set to be released this August.

Even in death, Frederick Forsyth’s voice will echo on shelves and in the imaginations of readers across the globe.

Quick Facts About Frederick Forsyth