A spokesman for the internationally acclaimed writer’s publisher Bonnier Books confirms his passing, while his longtime literary agent describes him as ‘an icon, larger than life.’
AceShowbiz -Bestselling author Wilbur Smith has died, aged 88. The internationally acclaimed writer died on Saturday, November 13, according to a spokesman for his publisher Bonnier Books.
“Wilbur Smith’s very first novel ‘When The Lion Feeds’, published in 1964, was an instant bestseller and each of his subsequent novels has featured in the bestseller charts, often at number one, earning the author the opportunity to travel far and wide in search of inspiration and adventure,” a statement from the company reads.
“He has transported his readers to gold mines in South Africa, piracy on the Indian Ocean, buried treasure on tropical islands, conflict in Arabia and Khartoum, ancient Egypt, World War Two Germany and Paris, India, the Americas and the Antarctic, encountering ruthless diamond and slave traders and big game hunters in the jungles and bush of the African wilderness.”
Smith published 49 novels and sold more than 140 million copies worldwide.
His longtime literary agent, Kevin Conroy Scott, says, “Wilbur Smith was an icon, larger than life, beloved by his fans who collected his books in hardbacks and passed his work down through generations, fathers to sons and mothers to daughters.”
“His knowledge of Africa, and his imagination knew no limitations. His work ethic and his powerful, elegant writing style made him known to millions. I cherish the role of working side by side with his wife Niso and the Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation to keep the flame of his fictional universe alive for many years to come.”
Many of Smith’s books have been turned into movies, including “Shout at the Devil”, “The Mercenaries” and “The Kingfisher Caper”, while his novels “The Diamond Hunters” and “The Seventh Scroll” inspired TV miniseries.
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