The British writer and firebrand columnist Christopher Hitchens has died at the age of 62 after a battle against cancer of the esophagus, Vanity Fair announced on its Web site today.

Hitchens, who began his journalistic career in Britain before moving to the US where he enjoyed great success, was diagnosed with the disease in June 2010, and had documented his declining health in his Vanity Fair column.

In announcing his death, Vanity Fair described the writer as “incomparable critic, masterful rhetorician, fiery wit, and fearless bon vivant.”

Hitchens was diagnosed with cancer soon after the publication of his memoir, “Hitch-22,” and later underwent chemotherapy.