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John Le Carre dead at age 89
The world’s legendary spy author John Le Carre, famous for his books including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has died at age 89.
Stephen Drill
European Correspondent – Courier-Mail
John le Carré, author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has passed away from pneumonia.
The author, who perfected the Cold War spy genre, had a career that spanned 60 years.
He was known to the world as John Le Carre, but his real name was David Cornwell.
A former real life spy, he spent decades writing about the subterfuge and espionage of the trade, some of which was turned into films and television series including The Night Manager.
His death was not COVID-19 related.
A statement shared on behalf of the author’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we must confirm that David Cornwell – John le Carre – passed away from pneumonia last Saturday night after a short battle with the illness.
“David is survived by his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Jane, and his sons Nicholas, Timothy, Stephen and Simon.
“We all grieve deeply his passing. 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.”
Le Carre who was 89, burst on the scene with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in 1974.
It was later revealed that his detailed understanding of espionage was informed by his own time working in British intelligence services.
He was accused of profiting from his spy career by Sir Richard Dearlove, who was C in Britain’s MI6.
Sir Dearlove claimed that people in the spy community were angry with Le Carre.
The writer hit back in 2019, claiming that the criticism was because Le Carre had called him out over the dodgy dossier about weapons of mass destruction used to justify the Iraq war in 2003.
“Raw, single-source, unchecked MI6 intelligence was being passed to Tony Blair, and presumably to George Bush as well, on a regular basis. And that Sir Richard was instrumental in causing this to happen,” Le Carre wrote in The Times.
“To this day, I am told, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary, he continues to maintain that Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction were the real McCoy. Maybe some distant memory of my article in The Times sticks in his craw.”
Le Carre was still writing into his twilight years, with his final book, Agent Running in the Field, published in 2019.
His agent Jonny Geller described him as “an undisputed giant of English literature”.
“John le Carré was an undisputed giant of English literature. He defined the Cold War era and fearlessly spoke truth to power in the decades that followed. His work was read and loved all over the world for six decades. His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold in 1963 made him the most famous spy writer in the world. His greatest character – George Smiley – appeared in several novels including the Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy & Smileys People. I represented David for almost 15 years. I have lost a mentor, an inspiration and most importantly, a friend. We will not see his like again.”
Tom Weldon, CEO of Penguin Random House UK, said: “It has been a great honour for all of us at Penguin Random House to be John le Carré’s publishers. His contribution to this country cannot be overstated and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. His work will be read and loved for many generations to come.”
Authors sent their tributes to him on social media. Stephen King tweeted: “This terrible year has claimed a literary giant and a humanitarian spirit.”
William Dalrymple tweeted: “RIP John Le Carre/David Cornwell. The greatest espionage writer of all time and the most charming and modest of men. An irreplacable loss.”
Robert Harris said the news had left him “very distressed”.
“One of the great postwar British novelists, and an unforgettable, unique character,” he said.
Adrian McKinty described Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy as “quite simply the greatest spy novel ever written”.
This comment made me laugh :
Boris Johnston has called an emergency session of Parliament to debate the death of British author, John Le Carre, who’s passing at 89 has stunned the medical world!
“John is the 1st person over 65 years of age to not have Covid or related symptoms recorded as the, official, cause of death in 2020″ .. a spokesperson for the British Medical Board stated ..
The world’s legendary spy author John Le Carre, famous for his books including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has died at age 89.
Stephen Drill
European Correspondent – Courier-Mail
John le Carré, author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has passed away from pneumonia.
The author, who perfected the Cold War spy genre, had a career that spanned 60 years.
He was known to the world as John Le Carre, but his real name was David Cornwell.
A former real life spy, he spent decades writing about the subterfuge and espionage of the trade, some of which was turned into films and television series including The Night Manager.
His death was not COVID-19 related.
A statement shared on behalf of the author’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we must confirm that David Cornwell – John le Carre – passed away from pneumonia last Saturday night after a short battle with the illness.
“David is survived by his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Jane, and his sons Nicholas, Timothy, Stephen and Simon.
“We all grieve deeply his passing. 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.”
Le Carre who was 89, burst on the scene with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in 1974.
It was later revealed that his detailed understanding of espionage was informed by his own time working in British intelligence services.
He was accused of profiting from his spy career by Sir Richard Dearlove, who was C in Britain’s MI6.
Sir Dearlove claimed that people in the spy community were angry with Le Carre.
The writer hit back in 2019, claiming that the criticism was because Le Carre had called him out over the dodgy dossier about weapons of mass destruction used to justify the Iraq war in 2003.
“Raw, single-source, unchecked MI6 intelligence was being passed to Tony Blair, and presumably to George Bush as well, on a regular basis. And that Sir Richard was instrumental in causing this to happen,” Le Carre wrote in The Times.
“To this day, I am told, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary, he continues to maintain that Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction were the real McCoy. Maybe some distant memory of my article in The Times sticks in his craw.”
Le Carre was still writing into his twilight years, with his final book, Agent Running in the Field, published in 2019.
His agent Jonny Geller described him as “an undisputed giant of English literature”.
“John le Carré was an undisputed giant of English literature. He defined the Cold War era and fearlessly spoke truth to power in the decades that followed. His work was read and loved all over the world for six decades. His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold in 1963 made him the most famous spy writer in the world. His greatest character – George Smiley – appeared in several novels including the Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy & Smileys People. I represented David for almost 15 years. I have lost a mentor, an inspiration and most importantly, a friend. We will not see his like again.”
Tom Weldon, CEO of Penguin Random House UK, said: “It has been a great honour for all of us at Penguin Random House to be John le Carré’s publishers. His contribution to this country cannot be overstated and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. His work will be read and loved for many generations to come.”
Authors sent their tributes to him on social media. Stephen King tweeted: “This terrible year has claimed a literary giant and a humanitarian spirit.”
William Dalrymple tweeted: “RIP John Le Carre/David Cornwell. The greatest espionage writer of all time and the most charming and modest of men. An irreplacable loss.”
Robert Harris said the news had left him “very distressed”.
“One of the great postwar British novelists, and an unforgettable, unique character,” he said.
Adrian McKinty described Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy as “quite simply the greatest spy novel ever written”.
This comment made me laugh :
Boris Johnston has called an emergency session of Parliament to debate the death of British author, John Le Carre, who’s passing at 89 has stunned the medical world!
“John is the 1st person over 65 years of age to not have Covid or related symptoms recorded as the, official, cause of death in 2020″ .. a spokesperson for the British Medical Board stated ..
