007's literary agent Peter Janson-Smith dies aged 93

16-Apr-2016 • Literary

Literay agent Peter Janson-Smith has died at the age of 93.

Peter Janson-Smith ran his own successful literary agency which represented prestigious authors such as spy thriller writer Eric Ambler, naturalist Gavin Maxwell (Ring of Bright Water), military historian Richard Holmes and James Bond creator, Ian Fleming.

Janson-Smith worked hard to bring attention to the James Bond novels, scoring worldwide publishing deals and eventually seeing their adaptations on the big screen during Fleming's lifetime. After Fleming's death, Janson-Smith took the chairmanship of Glidrose (which later became Ian Fleming Publications).

Janson-Smith appeared at numerous James Bond gatherings over the years. Notably, he spoke on a panel at the Thunderball 40th Anniversary gala (hosted by MI6, Bond Stars and Cinema Retro) in 2005, where he talked about his friend Ian Fleming and the legal wranglings over the 'Thunderball' novel. "To see so many people dressed in black tie at the champagne reception was wonderful. A class act. Ian would have loved this," he said of the evening.

Up until his death, Janson-Smith remained active as a consultant to the Ampersand literary agency, after helping guide its formation in 2003.

Writing on his Facebook page, 007 continuation author Raymond Benson paid tribute: "Peter, who hired me to write James Bond novels in the mid-90s, was a mentor, a teacher, a friend, and someone I called my 'English dad.' Peter had a long, distinguished career as a literary agent in England. He was Ian Fleming's agent as well as Eric Ambler's and many other great authors. He sold Anthony Burgess' 'Clockwork Orange.' He was the trustee for Winnie the Pooh. So many accomplishments, too many to name here. I will miss him terribly. Thank you, Peter, for everything you did for me, and for everything you did to better our world."