John le Carré, espionage writer and former spy, famous for his books Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold has died aged 89.
Literary agency Curtis Brown, who represented Le Carré, said the author, whose real name is David Cornwell, died on December 12. His death is not Covid-19 related, according to the statement.
https://t.co/JP8RBVplHJ pic.twitter.com/KyIcvZR84i
— Curtis Brown Books (@CBGBooks) December 13, 2020
His family confirmed in the statement that John le Carré died from pneumonia after the illness. “David is survived by his beloved wife of almost fifty years, Jane, and his sons Nicholas, Timothy, Stephen and Simon. We all grieve deeply his passing,” the family said.
“Our thanks go to the wonderful NHS team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro for the care and compassion that he was shown throughout his stay. We know they share our sadness,” the family added in their statement.
Le Carré, who worked for MI5 and MI6, wrote 25 novels and has sold more than 60 million copies of his work worldwide.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold became bestsellers. Both novels were screened and brought the author wide popularity.
Jonny Geller, CEO of The Curtis Brown Group, said: “We have lost a great figure of English literature, a man of great wit, kindness, humour and intelligence. I have lost a friend, a mentor and an inspiration.”
MI6 chief Richard Moore tweeted that John le Carré was “a giant of literature who left his mark on MI6 through his evocative and brilliant novels”.
Very sad to hear the news about #JohnLeCarre A giant of literature who left his mark on #MI6 through his evocative & brilliant novels. My thoughts are with his family, friends & fans. Condolences from all at the #RiverHouse. #RIP #DavidCornwell
— Richard Moore (@ChiefMI6) December 14, 2020
Writer Robert Harris said that John le Carré was “one of the great postwar British novelists.”
Very distressed to hear this. One of the great postwar British novelists, and an unforgettable, unique character. My deepest condolences to Jane and all the family. https://t.co/wCHMccVbO4
— Robert Harris (@Robert___Harris) December 13, 2020
Historian and novelist Simon Sebag Montefiore wrote on his Twitter that “the titan of English literature” has gone.
Heartbroken #JohnleCarre has gone: the titan of English literature up there w the greats, creator of his own world of masterpieces,studies of betrayal honor character idealism & power that were also spy thrillers. In person, captivating & so kind & generous to me & many others https://t.co/uYhMtf0ntc
— S Sebag Montefiore (@simonmontefiore) December 13, 2020
Author Stephen King tweeted a tribute, describing Cornwell as “a literary giant and a humanitarian spirit”.
John le Carre has passed at the age of 89. This terrible year has claimed a literary giant and a humanitarian spirit.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 13, 2020
John le Carré published his first novel Call for the Dead in 1961. The author is also well-known for his books The Looking Glass War (1965), Smiley’s People (1979), The Little Drummer Girl (1983), The Night Manager (1993), The Tailor of Panama (1996), The Constant Gardener (2001), A Most Wanted Man (2008), Our Kind of Traitor (2010) among others.
His last novel, Agent Running in the Field, was published in October 2019.
Feature Image Credit: Guido Klumpe/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0