In 2016 PW took a deep dive into the nearly 60-year literary career of David John Moore Cornwell, who wrote under the alias of John le Carré, and offered a data visualization of some highlights from his long literary career. Le Carré died December 12 at age 89.
Cornwell turned his brief stint working behind the scenes at Britain's MI6, the U.K.'s intelligence service and produced several dozen books and numerous bestsellers featuring iconic Cold War-era spies, such as George Smiley, Alec Leamase, and Jerry Westerby. The pseudonym offered him anonymity to live and travel as he wished, without fearing his life would be disrupted by well wishers.
Brian Tart, president and publisher le Carre's longtime publisher, Viking Penguin, issued the following statement on le Carre's passing: “It has been an honor to be John le Carré’s publisher in the U.S. He was a true master storyteller, and was as important to culture and politics as he was to literature. He will be greatly missed.”
A few highlights from his nearly 60 year career.
Highest grossing movie adaptation: The Constant Gardner (2005) - $35.6 million.
Most adapted works for television, film, radio: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (In 2011, we spoke with Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson about his adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.)
Highest body count in the George Smiley series: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Click through to see a full-size rendering of the graphic above, which was created by Jordan Foster.
