Popular Author CJ Sansom Passes Away Shortly Before The Disney Adaptation of His Shardlake Series Premieres
CJ Sansom, the acclaimed author behind the beloved character Matthew Shardlake, has passed away at the age of 71, as announced by his publisher. Sansom introduced Shardlake, a lawyer delving into crime-solving amidst the religious and political tumult of Tudor England, in his 2003 novel “Dissolution”.
He went on to publish six more Shardlake novels along with two standalone historical works, “Winter In Madrid” and “Dominion”. His novels have recently been adapted into the series “Shardlake”, starring Arthur Hughes and Sean Bean, set to debut its first season on Disney+.
The news of Sansom’s death came just days before the release of the series, a moment that his agent Antony Topping described as coincidental yet poignant.
Topping highlighted Sansom’s pride in bringing his novels to television and the potential for a new audience to discover his work. Maria Rejt, Sansom’s editor and publisher, noted his ongoing efforts on a new Shardlake book despite declining health.
She fondly remembered him as a private individual who found joy in the enthusiastic reception of his novels and cherished him as a dear friend.
Sansom’s impact extended beyond his literary achievements; he was awarded the Crime Writers’ Association Cartier Diamond Dagger Award in 2022 for his significant contributions to the genre.
Born in Edinburgh, Sansom pursued a career as a solicitor before fully immersing himself in writing, leveraging his passion for history and law to become one of Britain’s bestselling historical novelists.
In addition, he was vocal about his stance on political matters, advocating for Scotland’s remaining in the UK and making notable donations to the Better Together campaign. Despite his passing, Sansom leaves behind a rich literary legacy cherished by millions of readers worldwide.
