RIP: E. Lynn Harris

Bestselling author E. Lynn Harris, the man who introduced the world to the phenomenon known as the 'down low,' has died. He was 54.

Publicist Laura Gilmore said Harris died Thursday night after being stricken at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, though the cause of death had not been revealed. Apparently he fell ill on a train to Los Angeles but seemed to have recovered.

In 15 years, Harris wrote 11 titles, ten of them New York Times bestsellers. More than four million of his books are in print.

He also achieved more mainstream success with works like "Love of My Own" and the memoir "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted."

"He was a pioneering voice within the black LGBT community, but also resonated with mainstream communities, regardless of race and sexual orientation," said Herndon Davis, a gay advocate. "Harris painted with eloquent prose and revealing accuracy the lives of African American men and the many complicated struggles they faced reconciling their sexuality and spirituality while rising above societal taboos within the black community."

He will be missed.