LONDON (AFP).- British crime writer Colin Dexter, best known for his popular Inspector Morse character, died on Tuesday at the age of 86, his publisher said in a statement.

"With immense sadness, Macmillan announces the death of Colin Dexter who died peacefully at his home in Oxford this morning," the statement read.

Dexter was born in 1930 in Lincolnshire, eastern England, and studied classics at Cambridge University.

After a brief stint in teaching, he moved in the 1960s to Oxford, which provided the setting for the 13 Morse novels he published between 1975 and 1999.

He was also actively involved in the long-running Inspector Morse television show and its two spin-offs Lewis and Endeavour, even making several cameo appearances.

In 2000, Dexter was given an honour by Queen Elizabeth II, for services to literature.

His most recent editor at Macmillan, Maria Rejt, paid tribute saying: "His loyalty, modesty and self-deprecating humour gave joy to many.

"His was the sharpest mind and the biggest heart, and his wonderful novels and stories will remain a testament to both," she said.


© Agence France-Presse