Martin Gilbert, Winston Churchill's official biographer dies after long illness at 79

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2009 file photo, Martin Gilbert, a member of the Iraq Inquiry panel, speak in Manchester, England. The chair of the inquiry into the Iraq war says that Winston Churchill’s official biographer, Martin Gilbert, has died. Inquiry chairman John Chilcot paid tribute Tuesday Feb. 3, 2015 to Gilbert, who was a member of the panel investigating the war. (AP Photo/PA, Dave Thompson, File) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE (The Associated Press)

LONDON – Martin Gilbert, Winston Churchill's official biographer, has died following a lengthy illness. He was 79.

John Chilcot, a senior civil servant, told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday that Gilbert died the previous night. Gilbert was a member of Chilcot's panel which is conducting an official investigation of the Iraq war.

Gilbert wrote more than 80 books, including many with themes related to the World War II. But he is best known for his work on Churchill, including "Churchill: A Life; "Churchill: The Power of Words," and "Continue to Pester, Nag, and Bite: Churchill's War Leadership."

Other titles include "Israel: A History," and the three-volume "History of the 20th Century."

Gilbert was knighted for services to British history and international relations.