Frederick Forsyth, renowned author of the classic thriller The Day of The Jackal, has sadly passed away at the age of 86 following a brief illness, as confirmed by his literary agents at Curtis Brown.
- Advertisement -
Mr. Forsyth left this world peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, a testament to the close relationships he cherished throughout his life.
Known widely for his gripping novels such as The Dogs of War, The Fox, The Kill List, and The Afghan, Forsyth’s works have captivated readers across the globe. His storytelling often drew from an array of rich experiences, including his time as a foreign correspondent for Reuters and the BBC, and as an informant for Britain’s MI6 spy agency. His breakthrough came with his vivid portrayal of a failed assassination plot against Charles de Gaulle in his groundbreaking 1971 novel, The Day of The Jackal. “Only a few weeks ago, I sat with him as we watched a new and moving documentary of his life—In My Own Words—set to air later this year on BBC One. It was a poignant reminder of a remarkable life well lived,” his agent noted.
A former pilot in the RAF and seasoned investigative journalist, Mr. Forsyth’s colorful career was punctuated by his service as “one of the youngest ever RAF pilots.” His talent for languages—fluent in German, French, and Russian—served him well in his subsequent role as a foreign correspondent in Biafra. During this time, he was appalled by the devastation he witnessed, which ultimately prompted him to pen his first and arguably most famous novel, The Day of the Jackal (1972), swiftly establishing him as a global bestseller. “He wrote over 25 books, many of which were adapted into films, with total sales exceeding 75 million copies,” his agent remarked with admiration.
“He will be profoundly missed by family, friends, and all of us at Curtis Brown, as well as his millions of fans worldwide,” his agent concluded. “Yet his literary legacy will undoubtedly endure.”
Additional reporting by Reuters.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
