Frederick Forsyth, the acclaimed author of “The Day of the Jackal” and former MI6 agent, has passed away at the age of 86. He died at his home, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. Forsyth’s literary agent, Jonathan Lloyd, paid tribute to the late author, saying,
“We mourn the passing of one of the world’s greatest thriller writers”. Lloyd also highlighted Forsyth’s remarkable career, noting that his books have sold over 75 million copies worldwide.
Forsyth’s writing career spanned decades, and he penned over 25 bestselling novels, many of which were adapted into films. His experiences as a former MI6 agent and war correspondent greatly influenced his writing, lending an air of realism to his stories. His notable works include “The Dogs of War,” “The Fox,” “The Kill List,” and “The Afghan”. Forsyth’s breakthrough novel, “The Day of the Jackal,” published in 1971, became an international sensation and cemented his reputation as a master of the political thriller genre.
Tributes poured in from notable figures, with singer Elaine Paige describing Forsyth as a friend and praising his extensive knowledge of geography and history. Conservative MP Sir David Davis also paid tribute, calling Forsyth a terrific man and a fabulous wordsmith. Davis noted that Forsyth was a great believer in the old values – he believed in honour, patriotism, and courage. Forsyth’s legacy as one of the world’s greatest thriller writers will continue to captivate readers for generations to come [1][3].