The literary giant of the spy novel genre has died after a short battle with pneumonia. His death was not COVID-19 related.
His agent Jonny Geller, chief executive of the Curtis Brown Group, announced the news via a tweet on Sunday night saying, "With much sadness, I must announce the passing of one the world's great writers - John le Carré."
With much sadness, I must announce the passing of one the world’s great writers - John le Carré.https://t.co/hpPFA5nA6D pic.twitter.com/HbC3WZzQFF
— Jonny Geller (@JonnyGeller) December 13, 2020
Le Carré, whose real name was David Cornwell, was born in Poole, Dorset in 1931, after studying at university he began a career as an undercover intelligence agent.
He became an MI5 officer in 1958 and later transferred to MI6, the foreign-intelligence service, before beginning what was to become an illustrious career as a spy novelist.
Le Carré garnered international acclaim with the publication of his third novel in 1963, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, which made him the most famous spy writer in the world.
Le Carré is survived by his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Jane, and his sons Nicholas, Timothy, Stephen and Simon.
