With an estimated 34 million copies sold worldwide, the novel Kane and Abel secured Jeffrey Archer’s reputation as a globally significant commercial author. Born in 1940 at the City of London Maternity Hospital, Archer initially pursued a multifaceted career spanning politics and charity fundraising before achieving sustained financial success through his prolific output of fiction, which now exceeds 320 million total copies sold.
Political career and controversy
Archer served as a Conservative councillor for Havering between 1967 and 1970 before his election as the Member of Parliament for Louth in 1969. His parliamentary tenure lasted until 1974. In 1985, he became the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, a position he held for one year. His public life faced significant scrutiny following allegations of perjury and perverting the course of justice related to a 1987 civil case. These legal issues resulted in a four-year prison sentence in 2001, concluding his active political involvement. He was later a member of the House of Lords from 1992 until his retirement in 2024.
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After attending Wellington School in Somerset, Archer enrolled at Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1963. Although his formal diploma studies lasted only one year, he remained at the university for three years. He excelled in athletics, specifically sprinting and hurdling, eventually serving as president of the Oxford University Athletic Club. Archer earned a blue in athletics and represented Great Britain, recording a 100-metre time of 10.6 seconds.
Literary and business ventures
Following his early career in charity fundraising for organizations like the United Nations Association and the National Birthday Trust, Archer established Arrow Enterprises and the Archer Gallery in London. The gallery, which focused on modern art by figures such as Leon Underwood, operated for two years before closing. Archer subsequently pivoted to a career as a novelist, children's writer, and playwright, establishing a literary legacy that includes works published in English.
Fast facts
- Born: 15 April 1940, London
- Education: Wellington School, Brasenose College
- Parliamentary service: 1969-1974
- House of Lords: 1992-2024
- Notable work: Kane and Abel (1979)
- Estimated total book sales: 320 million copies
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
Questions readers ask
Did Jeffrey Archer serve in the British Parliament?
Yes, he was the Member of Parliament for Louth from 1969 to 1974 and served in the House of Lords from 1992 to 2024.
What is the total number of books Archer has sold?
His novels and other writings have achieved global sales exceeding 320 million copies.
