ARTHUR C. CLARKE - PASSING VISIONARY

June 2008

On March 8, 2008, the world lost one of its most innovative and inventive authors, Arthur C. Clarke. When thinking of his name, the most obvious work comes to mind, “2001: A Space Odyssey,” made more famous by the Stanley Kubrick film. Aside from being an author, he was also an inventor and futurist.

Clarke was certainly someone who knew how to live, and make the most out of life. He had won the Franklin Institute Stuart Ballantine Gold Medal in 1963 for his proposed satellite communication systems in 1945. He became Chairman of the British Interplanetary Society from 1947-1950, and again in 1953. He helped the preservation of the lowland gorillas. Won the UNESCO-Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science in 1961. He had moved to Sri Lanka in 1956 for his love of scuba diving, and lived there the rest of his life, vowing never to leave - although he did eventually visit other countries for a couple of invites. He was knighted in 1998. He was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.

Amongst his other most well known books are “Childhood’s End,” “Rendezvous With Rama,” and “The Songs Of Distant Earth.” After years of stalling, there is a possible outcome of filming “Rendezvous With Rama,” being made by actor Morgan Freeman’s production company.

Arthur C. Clarke has left quite a legacy behind with his writings and visions.

Written by Philip Anderson