Posted on 03/18/2008 5:23:38 PM PDT by null and void
Science fiction author Arthur C Clarke dies aged 90
Arthur C Clarke at his home in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo Lech Mintowt-Czyz
Science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke has died aged 90 in his adopted home of Sri Lanka, it was confirmed tonight.
Clarke, who had battled debilitating post-polio syndrome since the 1960s and sometimes used a wheelchair, died at 1:30am after suffering breathing problems, his personal secretary Rohan De Silva said.
“Sir Arthur passed away a short while ago at the Apollo Hospital [in Colombo}. He had a cardio-respiratory attack,” he said.
His valet, W. K. M. Dharmawardena, said funeral arrangements would be finalised after his close family returned to the island from Australia.
Mr Dharmawardena said Clarke’s condition had begun to deteriorate in recent weeks and he had been in hospital for the past four days.
The visionary author of over 100 books, who predicted the existence of satellites, was most famous for his short story "The Sentinel," which was expanded into the novel on which Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" was based.
He was also credited with inventing the concept of communications satellites in 1945, decades before they became a reality.
Clarke was the last surviving member of what was sometimes known as the "Big Three" of science fiction alongside Robert A. Heinlein and Isaac Asimov.
The son of an English farming family, Clarke was born in the seaside town of Minehead, Somerset, England on December 16, 1917.
After attending schools in his home county, Arthur Clarke moved to London in 1936 and pursued his early interest in space sciences by joining the British Interplanetary Society. He started to contribute to the BIS Bulletin and began to write science fiction.
With the onset of World War II he joined the RAF, eventually becoming an officer in charge of the first radar talk-down equipment, the Ground Controlled Approach, during its experimental trials. Later, his only non-science-fiction novel, Glide Path, was based on this work.
In 1945, a UK periodical magazine “Wireless World” published his landmark technical paper "Extra-terrestrial Relays" in which he first set out the principles of satellite communication with satellites in geostationary orbits - a speculation realised 25 years later. During the evolution of his discovery, he worked with scientists and engineers in the USA in the development of spacecraft and launch systems, and addressed the United Nations during their deliberations on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
Today, the geostationary orbit at 36,000 kilometres above the Equator is named The Clarke Orbit by the International Astronomical Union.
Despite his vast contribution Clarke still is best known as a visionary science fiction writer.
The first story he sold professionally was "Rescue Party", written in March 1945 and appearing in Astounding Science in May 1946. He went on to become a prolific writer of science fiction, renowned worldwide.
In 1964, he started to work with the noted film producer Stanley Kubrick on a science fiction movie script. Four years later, he shared an Oscar nomination with Kubrick at the Hollywood Academy Awards for the film version of “2001: A Space Odyssey”.
In television, Clarke worked alongside Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra for the CBS coverage of the Apollo 12 and 15 space missions. His thirteen-part TV series Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World in 1981 and Arthur C. Clarke's World of strange Powers in 1984 have been screened in many countries and he has contributed to other TV series about space, such as Walter Cronkite's Universe series in 1981.
Clarke first visited Colombo, Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) in December 1954 and has lived there since 1956 , pursuing an enthusiasm for underwater exploration along that coast and on the Great Barrier Reef.
In 1998, his lifetime work was recognised when he was honoured with a Knighthood – formally conferred by Prince Charles in Sri Lanka two years later.
In recent years, he has been largely confined to a wheelchair due to post-polio syndrome, but his output as a writer continued undiminished.
Marking his “90th orbit of the sun” in December, the author said he did not feel "a day over 89" and made three birthday wishes: for ET to call, for man to kick his oil habit and for peace in Sri Lanka.
Farewell, Mr.Clarke.
Huge loss to the sci-fi genre. Godspeed, Sir Arthur.
Wasn’t that “War of the Worlds” by HG Wells?
Saddened...
Farwell to a visionary man.
RIP Mr Clarke, all your questions are answered now.
Farewell Mr Clarke.
A true visionary.
Is your tag line a reference to Fitzcarroldo? My husband and I took at week long passage up a branch of the Amazon between Iquitos and Pucalpa in 1970 or 1971 I think it was. The boat we were on was the Huallaga which was also the name of the branch of the Amazon we were on. It is our understanding that this is the boat which was used in the film.
One of my favorite authors when I was a young man. Heinlein went quietly crazy; Asimov became something of a pedant, but Clarke remained a scientist with a wry sensibility and a keen eye for human potential.
2001 the book, if read before seeing the movie made the film a heck of a lot more understandible....all that sybolic crap from the movie that made it a hit among the recreational substance abuse crowd was a lot more palitable having read Clarke’s excellent book.
I read so much of is work.
“i’m afraid I can’t do that , Dave,”
Old Arthur had some character problems, but the contributions from his genius will stand for all time. For the record, neither Asimov nor Heinlein were anywhere near the societal norm, either.
I loved his books and I have a book of his short stories. He really went down hill near the end though in terms of his writing.
R.I.P
He was one of the truly great writers of the twentieth century.
Childhood's End...that could be the name of it. I have it packed away someplace.
Yet never made into a movie. Probably just as well, given what they've done to other perfectly good stories.
“character problems?”, I thought he was aquitted.
I don’t think it would really work as a movie, but it was a very interesting book.
I had a Co-op on the Upper West Side in Manhattan around 1980 and I used to see and greet Asomov regularly on the elevator. He usually looked like a semi-homeless person, old, wrinkled clothes, unshaven, etc.
My fave is the Rama series. He partnered with Gentry Lee for most of those.
Asomov = Asimov
John Campbell's "Who goes there" didn't really work as a movie, yet two versions of "The Thing" were made a generation apart.
“Childhood’s End”, “Rendezvous With Rama”, “Against The Fall Of Night”, too many other great novels and short stories to mention. And he recognized the worth of geosynchronous satellites for telecommunications before anyone else. He also came up with the idea of elevators to space in “The Fountains of Paradise”, something nanotechnology may make possible within some of our lifetimes. A great man.
HAL has opened the pod bay doors.
Agreed. One I’ll never forget. BTW there’s an “A” missing in your tag line.
I had heard and read that he stayed in Sri Lanka like Roman Polanski stays in Europe. If those people saying that were wrong that should definitely be found out before his overall reputation is forever smudged (you can’t tarnish nor scar those who advanced civilization).
He was invited everywhere all the time yet never went. Even if it was mere hermit syndrome that’s still far out of the norm.
2001 remains the best science fiction film of all time IMO.
Clarke and Kubrick were a truly rare combination of intellect in film making. Pure genius.
It was great, wasn’t it?
The Mule in the trilogy is our Obama today.
RIP bump!
2001.......a great book. The first serious SF book I read, and the first book that I got an A+ for a 7th grade book report. Watching the movie spoiled my minds eye rendition of the book. The special effects were great though.......
Fair Winds and Following Seas Sir....I hope they let you go up on the next flight......
When I first saw 2001, I couldn’t figure out what that big black bar was supposed to represent. But now I think I know. It was the Remote Control. Back in the 60’s when the movie first came out, hardly anyone had a remote control device in their homes. Of course, now there isn’t a house without one, and probably has 3 or 4. (Just kidding, but thought it was interesting).
I got a lot of enjoyment and learned a great amount of knowledge while reading his novels.
Bless you, Mr. Clarke, for all the years of joy and wonder you gave me, and everyone else who read your words. You will be sorely missed. Thank you.
I thing Rama would make an excellent movie.
Childhood’s End is the most chilling novel ever penned. The parents of paranormal offspring blow themselves up in a nuclear sunrise, and the children amuse themselves knocking planets out of orbit by sheer force of collective will.
The end of James Blish’s Cities in Flight is similar.
Total destruction followed by creation’s renewal.
I hope he enjoyed his last days, and his death was peaceful and painless. He gave me many a happy hour reading his books.
Thanks. Fixed.
Odd. I didn’t find it the slightest bit chilling.
Nah, it's an intergalactic iPhone. (Well, Clarke was a true visionary!)
Was it an iPhone or an iPod?
Are we all iPod people?
“Will I dream?”
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