Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Sir Arthur C. Clarke, arguably the greatest Science Fiction writer since H.G. Wells, died earlier today in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he had lived since 1956. He was born on 16th December 1917 and died on 19th March 2008 at the age of 90. He had been suffering from breathing problems recently and had also suffered from post-polio syndrome for the last two decades.

"Sometimes I am asked how I would like to be remembered," Clarke said recently. "I have had a diverse career as a writer, underwater explorer and space promoter. Of all these I would like to be remembered as a writer."

He had also stated that he did not regret having never followed his novels into space, adding that he had arranged to have DNA from strands of his hair sent into orbit. "One day, some super civilization may encounter this relic from the vanished species and I may exist in another time," he said. "Move over, Stephen King."