Political leaders who have also written fiction are not uncommon. Their works of fiction offer insights into their personalities, worldviews, and political views. They also provide a glimpse into the historical events and social conditions of their time. In some cases, the fiction written by political leaders has been controversial. For example, Churchill’s novel Savrola was criticized for its portrayal of Africans. However, in other cases, the fiction of political leaders has been praised for its literary merit. For example, Disraeli’s novel Sybil is considered to be one of the most important novels of the Victorian era.
There is a Nobel literature laureate among them in Winston Churchill, a highly acclaimed writer of political dramas in Michael Dobbs and one of the world’s best-selling novelists in Jeffrey Archer. There are also the authors of two leading seminal novels in Matthew Lewis and Benjamin Disraeli.
Whether or not the fiction of political leaders is successful, it is clear that these leaders have found a way to express their creativity and their political views through their writing. Here are twenty examples of political leaders who have published fiction.
Matthew Lewis (1775 – 1818)
Matthew Lewis was a British novelist, playwright, diarist, prose writer, and poet. He is best known as the author of The Monk (1796), a notorious eighteenth-century novel of horror that is considered one of the greatest examples of English Gothic fiction. Lewis also served as a diplomat, politician, and an estate owner in Jamaica.
Lewis was a member of the House of Commons from 1796 to 1812. He was a supporter of the Whig Party and was known for his liberal views. He was also a vocal critic of slavery and campaigned for its abolition.
As a fiction writer, Lewis’s work was often controversial. The Monk was criticized for its graphic violence and sexual content. However, the novel was also a commercial success and helped to popularize the Gothic genre. Lewis’s other works include The Castle Spectre (1797), a play, and Adelgitha (1798), a novel.
Benjamin Disraeli (1804 – 1881)
Benjamin Disraeli was a British politician and novelist who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1868 to 1874 and again from 1874 to 1880. He was the first person of Jewish descent to hold the office of Prime Minister.
Disraeli was a controversial figure, but he was also a highly successful politician. He was a master of political intrigue and he was able to unite the Conservative Party and lead it to victory in several elections.
Disraeli was also a successful novelist. His most famous novels include Sybil (1845), Coningsby (1844), and Tancred (1847). These novels explored the social and political issues of the day, and they helped to define Disraeli’s political philosophy.
Disraeli was a complex and contradictory figure, but he was one of the most important figures in British politics in the 19th century.
Here are some additional details about Disraeli’s life and career:
- He was born in London to a Jewish family of Sephardic origin.
- He was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford.
- He entered Parliament in 1837 and served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1852 to 1855.
- He was created Earl of Beaconsfield in 1876.
- He died in London in 1881.
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)
Theodore Roosevelt was a prolific writer and a dynamic politician. He served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909, and he is known for his progressive policies and his advocacy for conservation. Roosevelt was also a skilled writer, and he published several books on history, nature, and politics. His most famous work of fiction is The Rough Riders, an account of his experiences in the Spanish-American War.
Roosevelt’s writing is characterized by its energy, its wit, and its passion. He was a gifted storyteller, and he had a knack for capturing the excitement of adventure and the drama of history. His writing also reflects his strong belief in the importance of individual action and civic duty. Six years before taking office he wrote Hero Tales from American History for teenage readers
Roosevelt’s legacy as a writer and a politician is immense. He was a leading figure in the Progressive movement, and he helped to shape the course of American history. His writing continues to inspire readers today, and it serves as a reminder of the power of words to make a difference.
Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
Winston Churchill was a British politician, soldier, writer, and artist. He served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955. Churchill was a member of the Conservative Party. He was also a prolific writer, and wrote several books on history, politics, and literature. His most famous work is his six-volume memoir, The Second World War. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.
Churchill was a controversial figure, but he is widely regarded as one of the greatest British leaders of all time.
As a fiction writer, Churchill wrote two novels, Savrola (1900) and The Malakand Field Force (1898). He also wrote several short stories and essays. His fiction writing was not as successful as his non-fiction, but it provides some insights into his personality and worldview.
Charles de Gaulle (1890 – 1970)
Charles de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II and served as President of France from 1958 to 1969. He was a complex and controversial figure, but he is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in French history.
De Gaulle was also a writer. He wrote a novel, The Edge of the Sword (1932), and several books on military strategy and history. His writings offer insights into his personality, worldview, and political views.
De Gaulle’s fiction writing is not as well-known as his political writings, but it is still worth reading. The Edge of the Sword is a historical novel set during the French Revolution. It is a well-written and insightful novel that offers a glimpse into de Gaulle’s own thinking about leadership and politics.
Jimmy Carter (1924 -)
Jimmy Carter is an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, and grew up on a peanut farm. He served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1953, and then worked as a businessman and peanut farmer.
Carter entered politics in the early 1960s, and was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1962. He served as governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. In 1976, Carter was elected president, defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. As president, Carter focused on human rights and environmental protection. He also negotiated the Camp David Accords, which brought peace between Egypt and Israel.
After leaving office in 1981, Carter founded the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization that works to resolve conflicts, enhance democracy, and improve health around the world. He has also written several books, including his autobiography, An Hour Before Daylight (2001), and a novel, The Hornet’s Nest (2003).
Carter is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and he is widely respected for his work on human rights and international peace. He is also a talented writer, and his books have been praised for their honesty and insight.
Jimmy Carter’s many post-presidency writings include an improbably named children’s book, The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer.
Douglas Hurd (1930 – 2020)
Douglas Hurd was a British politician and novelist who served in the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major between 1979 and his retirement in 1995. He was born in 1930 and died in 2020.
As a politician, Hurd held a number of cabinet positions, including Minister for Europe, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Home Secretary, and Foreign Secretary. He was a pragmatic Conservative who was known for his skill as a negotiator.
As a novelist, Hurd wrote several political thrillers, including The Smile on the Face of the Tiger, Scotch on the Rocks, and The Shape of Ice. His novels were praised for their suspense and their insights into the world of politics.
Hurd was a complex and accomplished figure who made significant contributions to both British politics and British literature.
Here are some additional details about Hurd’s life and career:
- He was educated at Winchester College and Oxford University.
- He joined the Diplomatic Service in 1952 and served in a number of overseas postings.
- He was elected to Parliament in 1974.
- He was appointed Home Secretary in 1985.
- He was appointed Foreign Secretary in 1989.
- He retired from Parliament in 1997.
- He was created a life peer in 1997.
Hurd’s most famous novel, The Smile on the Face of the Tiger, was adapted into a film in 1977.
Roy Hattersley (1932 -)
Roy Hattersley was a British politician and writer. He served as a Labour MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook from 1964 to 1997, and as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992. He is the author of several biographies, novels, and political commentaries.
Hattersley’s political career was marked by his commitment to social justice and his opposition to Thatcherism. He was a vocal critic of the Conservative government’s policies, and he played a key role in the Labour Party’s shift to the left in the 1980s.
As a fiction writer, Hattersley has written three novels: “Who Goes Home?” (1976), “A Yorkshire Boyhood” (1983), “In Search of England” (1997). He has also written several biographies, including “David Lloyd George: The Great Outsider” (2010) and “John Wesley: A Brand from the Burning” (1996).
Hattersley’s writing is characterized by its wit, its intelligence, and its sharp insights into British politics and society. He is a respected figure on the British political scene, and his work continues to be read and enjoyed by many people.
Here are some additional details about Hattersley’s life and career:
- He was born in Sheffield, England, and educated at the University of Sheffield.
- He worked as a journalist before entering politics.
- He was made a life peer in 1993.
- He is the author of over 20 books.
- He is married and has two children.
Jeffrey Archer (1940 -)
Jeffrey Archer is a British author and former politician. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1969 to 1974, and was the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party from 1985 to 1986. In 1987, he was accused of paying a prostitute for sexual services, but was acquitted. However, he was later convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice in relation to this case, and served four years in prison.
Archer is also a successful fiction writer, and has written over 20 novels, including the international bestsellers Kane and Abel and Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less. His books have been translated into over 50 languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Archer is a controversial figure. He is a complex and fascinating individual, and his life story is one that is both inspiring and cautionary.
Here are some additional details about Archer’s life and career:
- He was born in London, England, and studied law at Oxford University.
- He was elected to Parliament in 1969, at the age of 29.
- He was appointed deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in 1985.
- He was made a life peer in 1992.
- He continues to write fiction and travel the world giving speeches.
Vince Cable (1943 -)
Vince Cable is a British politician who served as Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2010 to 2015. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Twickenham from 1997 to 2019. Cable is a former economist and businessman, and he has written several books on economics and politics. He also wrote a novel, Open Arms, in 2012.
Cable is a controversial figure, but he is also a respected politician and economist. He is known for his intelligence and his ability to speak his mind. He is also a strong advocate for free markets and liberal values.
Here are some additional details about Vince Cable:
- He was born in 1943 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
- He studied economics at the University of Glasgow and the London School of Economics.
- He worked as an economist for Shell and the Bank of England before entering politics.
- He was elected to Parliament in 1997.
- He served as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills from 2010 to 2015.
- He retired from Parliament in 2019.
- He is married to Rachel Smith, and they have two children.
William Jefferson Clinton (1946 -)
William Jefferson Clinton was born on August 19, 1946, and served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He is also a fiction writer, and has co-authored two novels with James Patterson: The President Is Missing (2018) and The President’s Daughter (2021). Clinton’s political career was marked by both successes and controversies. He presided over a period of economic prosperity, but was also impeached by the House of Representatives in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice. As a fiction writer, Clinton has been praised for his insights into the political process and his ability to create suspenseful plots.
Here are some additional details about Clinton’s life and career:
- He was born in Hope, Arkansas, and graduated from Georgetown University and Yale Law School.
- He served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and again from 1983 to 1992.
- He married Hillary Rodham in 1975, and they have one daughter, Chelsea.
- He is the author of several books, including his autobiography, My Life (2004).
- He is currently the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Distinguished Fellow.
Edwina Currie (1946 -)
Edwina Currie is a British politician, broadcaster, and novelist. She served as the Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire from 1983 to 1997. Currie was a member of the Conservative Party. She served in a number of ministerial positions, including Under-Secretary of State for Health (1986-1988).
Currie resigned from the government in 1988 after making a controversial statement that most British eggs were infected with salmonella. She subsequently became a successful broadcaster and novelist. She has written six novels, including A Parliamentary Affair (1994) and The Ambassador (1999).
Currie is a controversial figure. She has been criticized for her outspoken views on a range of issues, including abortion, immigration, and the BBC. However, she is also a popular figure among some Conservative Party members. She is seen as a genuine and down-to-earth politician who is not afraid to speak her mind.
Anne Widdecombe (1947 -)
Anne Widdecombe is a British politician and author. She served as Member of Parliament for Maidstone and The Weald from 1987 to 2010. Widdecombe is a member of the Conservative Party. She served in a number of ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Prisons (1995-1997) and Shadow Home Secretary (1999-2001).
Widdecombe is also a fiction writer. She has written three novels, The Clematis Tree (1999), The Shadow of the Vine (2001), and The Amber Catcher (2003). Her novels are set in the English countryside and feature strong female characters.
Widdecombe is a controversial figure. She has been criticized for her outspoken views on a range of issues, including immigration, abortion, and the death penalty. However, she is also a popular figure among some Conservative Party members. She is seen as a genuine and down-to-earth politician who is not afraid to speak her mind.
Hillary Rodham Clinton (1947 -)
Hillary Clinton served as First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001, and as U.S. Senator from New York from 2001 to 2009. She was the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 2016. Clinton is also a published author, having written two novels: “Rodham” (2019) and “State of Terror” (2018).
In “Rodham,” Clinton explores an alternate history in which she never married Bill Clinton and instead pursued a career in law. “State of Terror” is a thriller co-written with Louise Penny, in which Clinton’s character is the Secretary of State who must investigate a terrorist attack.
Clinton is a complex and controversial figure, but there is no doubt that she is a significant figure in American history. She is a role model for women and girls everywhere, and her work as a politician and a writer has had a profound impact on the world.
Chris Mullin (1947 -)
Chris Mullin is a British journalist, author and Labour politician. He served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunderland South from 1987 to 2010. In Parliament, he served as Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee and as a Minister in the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and in the Department for International Development.
Mullin is the author of four novels, including A Very British Coup (1982), which was later adapted for television, and its sequel The Friends of Harry Perkins. Mullin is also a celebrated diarist. His books include three highly acclaimed volumes of diaries, “A Walk-On Part”, “A View from the Foothills” and “Decline and Fall“. He has recently published a fourth volume, ‘Didn’t You Used to be Chris Mullin? (Diaries 2010-22).
Mullin’s novels are political thrillers that explore the dark side of power. His diaries are insightful and witty accounts of his life in politics. He is a gifted writer with a sharp eye for detail.
King Charles III (1948 -)
King Charles III is the current King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. He is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Charles was heir apparent to the throne since his birth.
Charles served as Prince of Wales since 1969 until his accession in 2023. During his time as Prince of Wales, he took on a number of royal duties, including representing the Queen at state events and visiting other countries on behalf of the UK. He was also involved in a number of charitable causes, including environmentalism and the arts.
Charles has written a number of children’s books, including The Old Man of Lochnagar (1980) and The Snow Lion (2000). He has also written a number of non-fiction books, including A Vision of Britain (1989) and Harmony: A New Way of Looking at the World (2010).
Charles’s children’s books are characterized by their simple language and their focus on nature. They have been praised for their gentle humour and their positive messages.
Charles’s non-fiction books are more serious in tone. They explore a wide range of topics, including the environment, the arts, and the future of the monarchy. They have been praised for their insights and their thought-provoking ideas.
Charles is a complex and controversial figure. He has been criticized for his meddling in politics and his lavish lifestyle. However, he is also a popular figure among many people. He is seen as a caring and compassionate man who is committed to making a difference in the world.
Michael Dobbs (1948 -)
Michael Dobbs is a British author and former politician. He served as a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1987 to 1997, and was a special advisor to Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He is best known for his House of Cards trilogy of political thrillers, which was adapted into a successful television series.
Dobbs’s political career began in the early 1970s, when he worked as a political researcher for the Conservative Party. He was elected to Parliament in 1987, and served in a number of ministerial roles, including as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment and as Minister for the Arts. He resigned from Parliament in 1997, and turned to writing full-time.
Dobbs’s first novel, House of Cards, was published in 1989. It was a critical and commercial success, and was followed by two sequels, To Play the King (1992) and The Final Cut (1994). The House of Cards trilogy was adapted into a successful television series in 1990, and was later remade for Netflix in 2013.
Dobbs has also written a number of other novels, including The Tomorrow File (1996), Saboteurs (2004), and Six Months in 1945 (2012). He has also written a number of non-fiction books, including Down With Big Brother: The Fall of the Soviet Empire (1997) and Madeleine Albright: A Twentieth-Century Odyssey (1999).
Dobbs is a prolific writer and a respected political commentator. His work has been praised for its insights into the world of politics and its unflinching portrayal of the dark side of power. He is a leading figure in the British political thriller genre, and his work has been translated into over 20 languages.
Iain Duncan Smith (1954 -)
Ian Duncan Smith is a British politician and author. He served as Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003. He was Secretary of State for Work and Pensions from 2010 to 2016.
Duncan Smith is also a fiction writer. He has written two novels, The Devil’s Tune (2003) and The Shadow of Albion (2006). His novels are set in the world of international espionage. Duncan Smith’s novels have been criticized for their lack of literary merit. However, they have also been praised for their insights into the world of politics and the military.
Duncan Smith is a controversial figure. He has been criticized for his policies as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which were seen by some as being harsh and uncaring. However, he is also a popular figure among some Conservative Party members. He is seen as a principled and determined politician who is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.
Nadine Dorries (1957 -)
Nadine Dorries is a British politician and author. She has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mid Bedfordshire since 2005. Dorries is a member of the Conservative Party. She has held a number of ministerial positions, including Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (2021-2022).
Dorries is also a fiction writer. She has written several novels, including the Four Streets trilogy and the Lovely Lane series. Her novels are set in Liverpool, where she grew up. Dorries’s novels have been criticized for their historical inaccuracies and their simplistic portrayal of working-class life. However, they have also been praised for their insights into the lives of ordinary people.
Dorries is a controversial figure. She has been criticized for her outspoken views on a range of issues, including immigration, abortion, and the BBC.
Stacey Abrams (1973 -)
Stacey Abrams is an American politician, voting rights activist, and author. She served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017, and was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Georgia in 2018 and 2022. Abrams is also the author of eight romance novels under the pen name Selena Montgomery, and her first political thriller, While Justice Sleeps, was published in 2021.
Abrams is a rising star in the Democratic Party, and is seen as a potential future presidential candidate. She is a strong advocate for voting rights, and has been a vocal critic of voter suppression efforts in Georgia. Abrams is also a gifted storyteller, and her novels have been praised for their suspenseful plots and complex characters.
Here are some additional details about Abrams’s life and career:
- She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and grew up in Mississippi and Georgia.
- She graduated from Spelman College and Yale Law School.
- She worked as a tax attorney before entering politics.
- She is the first black woman to lead a major political party in Georgia.
- She is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, Our Time Is Now and Lead From the Outside.
And that’s our list of 20 politicians that also wrote fiction. What’s your take on – any surprises, or any fantastic political fiction authors missing from the list?