John le Carré’s literary archive, comprising 918 boxes valued at £1.5 million, has been designated as cultural heritage, enabling his heirs to offset inheritance tax.

As part of the acceptance-in-lieu scheme, the archive will be donated to the state, ensuring its preservation as national heritage rather than being sold privately.

This scheme allows significant cultural items to be secured for the nation while providing tax benefits, making it an appealing option for estates like Le Carré’s.

Richard Ovenden, the Bodley librarian, highlighted that Le Carré chose to donate his archives to the Bodleian Library over American institutions, demonstrating his commitment to preserving his work in the UK.

The Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford plans to host a major exhibition of Le Carré's archive, although the cataloguing process is expected to take around 18 months.

Le Carré's archive contains significant correspondence and notes that offer insights into his creative processes and political views, particularly regarding the Cold War.

Since his passing in 2020 at the age of 89, Le Carré's popularity has surged globally, especially in Asia, following a successful Hindi adaptation of The Night Manager in 2023.

In light of this renewed interest, the company plans to adapt more of Le Carré’s titles, including The Honourable Schoolboy and A Perfect Spy, for television.

The production company run by his sons, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, has secured deals with the BBC and Amazon for further adaptations of Le Carré's works.

Additionally, Nick Harkaway, Le Carré’s son from his second marriage, has been granted permission to expand the literary universe by writing continuation novels featuring George Smiley, including his recent work, Karla’s Choice.