Former MI6 agent turned bestselling author sold 75 million books worldwide and defined the modern thriller genre
Frederick Forsyth, the former spy who created the modern thriller and captivated millions with The Day of the Jackal, has died at the age of 86.
The legendary author passed away on Monday morning surrounded by his family following a brief illness, his literary agents Curtis Brown confirmed this evening.
Jonathan Lloyd, speaking for the agency, said in a statement: “We mourn the passing of one of the world’s greatest thriller writers.”
A LITERARY COLOSSUS
Forsyth’s death marks the end of an extraordinary career that saw him publish more than 25 books and sell over 75 million copies worldwide.
His publisher Bill Scott-Kerr paid tribute to the author’s lasting impact on literature:
“Still read by millions across the world, Freddie’s thrillers define the genre and are still the benchmark to which contemporary writers aspire. He leaves behind a peerless legacy which will continue to excite and entertain for years to come.
The news comes as Forsyth’s most famous creation enjoys renewed popularity through the hit Sky Atlantic series starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.
FROM SPY TO STORYTELLER
Born on August 25, 1938, in Ashford, Kent, Forsyth led a life as thrilling as his novels.
His remarkable career path included:
- Becoming one of the RAF’s youngest pilots at 19
- Working as a Reuters correspondent from 1961-1965
- Serving as BBC correspondent covering the Biafran War
- Allegedly working for MI6 (though never confirmed)
It was his experiences as a journalist, particularly covering the Nigerian Civil War, that would shape his unique documentary-style approach to thriller writing.
THE JACKAL IS BORN
Forsyth’s journey to literary stardom began in 1970 when he found himself “flat broke” after his freelance journalism dried up.
In just 35 days during January and February 1970, he wrote The Day of the Jackal – a masterpiece that would change thriller writing forever.
The novel, about a professional assassin hired to kill Charles de Gaulle, was initially rejected by publishers before finally seeing print in 1971.
It became an instant sensation, earning him the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel in 1972.
DEFINING A GENRE
What set Forsyth apart was his meticulous research and journalistic approach to fiction:
- Unprecedented attention to detail
- Real-world political settings
- Documentary-style narrative
- Authentic procedural elements
His debut novel’s success was staggering – selling 136,000 copies in the US within months and over 2.5 million worldwide by 1975.
LITERARY LEGACY
Forsyth’s major works include:
The Day of the Jackal (1971) – His masterpiece about an assassination attempt on de Gaulle
The Odessa File (1972) – A hunt for Nazi war criminals
The Dogs of War (1974) – Mercenaries in Africa
The Fourth Protocol (1984) – Cold War nuclear thriller
The Fist of God (1994) – Gulf War intrigue
Icon (1996) – Post-Soviet Russia thriller
The Afghan (2006) – Post-9/11 terrorism
The Kill List (2013) – Modern drone warfare
The Fox (2018) – His final novel about cyber warfare
HOLLYWOOD BECKONS
Forsyth’s cinematic storytelling made him a natural for film adaptation:
- The Day of the Jackal (1973) – starring Edward Fox
- The Odessa File (1974) – starring Jon Voight
- The Dogs of War (1980) – starring Christopher Walken
- The Fourth Protocol (1987) – starring Michael Caine
- The Jackal (1997) – loose remake with Bruce Willis
Most recently, his work reached new audiences through the 2024 Sky Atlantic/Peacock series The Day of the Jackal.
HONORS AND RECOGNITION
Throughout his career, Forsyth received numerous accolades:
- Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel (1972)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1997
- Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger (2012)
- Listed in BBC’s “The Big Read” survey (2003)
THE MAN BEHIND THE THRILLERS
Despite his success, Forsyth remained remarkably humble about his craft.
“I never wanted to be a writer,” he once confessed, explaining he only turned to fiction when “skint, stony broke.”
He famously raised £250,000 for charity on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in 2005, deliberately taking less than he could have won to ensure the donation.
His autobiography, “The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue” (2015), offered tantalizing glimpses into a life that may have been even more thrilling than his fiction.
FINAL CHAPTER
Frederick Forsyth’s death leaves a void in the thriller genre he helped define.
From a broke journalist writing frantically to pay his debts to becoming one of the world’s most successful authors, his story was as compelling as any he created.
He is survived by his family, who were with him when he passed away peacefully on Monday morning.
As millions of readers worldwide mourn his passing, his words live on – proving that sometimes, the pen truly is mightier than the sword.
