John Stott—renowned pastor, theologian, author of numerous best-selling books and rector emeritus of All Souls Church in London—died today in London, his hometown. He was 90.

Stott is best known for writing more than 50 books, including Basic Christianity (InterVarsity Press, IVP), which has been translated into more than 60 languages since it was originally published by IVP-UK in 1958. Some of his other books include Why I Am a Christian, The Cross of Christ, Christian Mission in the Modern World and Your Mind Matters (all IVP), as well as The Birds, Our Teachers (Baker Books/Baker Publishing Group).

Last year, IVP published the biography Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott by Roger Steer and David Neff. More than 6 million copies of Stott's IVP books, Bible studies and Bible commentaries have been sold in the U.S., company officials said.

Besides writing the "John Stott Bible Studies" series, Stott was also the New Testament editor and a major contributor to the "Bible Speaks Today" commentary series (IVP Academic).

"We are deeply grateful for this long publishing partnership and friendship with one of the most influential and beloved evangelical leaders for the past half century," said Bob Fryling, publisher of IVP, Stott's main publisher in the U.S. "Stott was not only revered; he was loved. He had a humble mind and a gracious spirit.

IVP Associate Publisher for Editorial Andy Le Peau said that Stott's works were embraced for their "clear, balanced, sound perspective on Scripture and life. He was filled with a grace and strength that will be dearly missed in this era of extreme viewpoints and harsh rhetoric."

As a principal framer of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974, a defining statement for evangelical Christians, Stott was at the heart of evangelical renewal in the U.K. for more than half a century. In 2005, Stott, who retired from public ministry in 2007 at age 86, was recognized by Time magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

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