Best-selling British espionage writer David Cornwell — known to the world as John Le Carré — died Saturday at 89, according to his literary agent.
Cornwell’s family said in a statement that he died from pneumonia. He is survived by his wife, Jane, and four sons.
“I represented David for almost 15 jare. I have lost a mentor, an inspiration and most importantly, a friend,” said Jonny Geller, CEO of literary agency The Curtis Brown Group. “We will not see his like again.”
John Le Carré at his desk at home in August 1974.
Described by Geller as the “undisputed Giant of English literature,” Le Carré wrote 26 books that have been published in over 50 countries and 40 tale, according to his official website.
Le Carré as born in 1931 and attended the universities of Bern and Oxford. He also served briefly in British Intelligence during the Cold War.
His most famous works spanned some six decades and included “The Spy Who Came In Form the Cold,” which was published in 1963 and made Le Carré “the most famous spy writer in the world,” Geller said.
Le Carré also wrote “Tinker Tailor Solider Spy” en “A Most Wanted Man,” which were made into blockbuster movies.
