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Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90 Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90
(10 minutes later)
British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke has died in Sri Lanka at the age of 90.British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke has died in Sri Lanka at the age of 90.
Born in Somerset, he came to fame in 1968 when a short story The Sentinel was made into the film 2001: A Space Odyssey by director Stanley Kubrick.Born in Somerset, he came to fame in 1968 when a short story The Sentinel was made into the film 2001: A Space Odyssey by director Stanley Kubrick.
Once called "the first dweller in the electronic cottage", his vision of future space travel and computing captured the popular imagination.Once called "the first dweller in the electronic cottage", his vision of future space travel and computing captured the popular imagination.
A close aide said he died after a cardio-respiratory attack.A close aide said he died after a cardio-respiratory attack.
'Vision''Vision'
Sir Arthur's vivid - and detailed - descriptions of space shuttles, super-computers and rapid communications systems were enjoyed by millions of readers around the world.Sir Arthur's vivid - and detailed - descriptions of space shuttles, super-computers and rapid communications systems were enjoyed by millions of readers around the world.
He was the author of more than 100 fiction and non-fiction books, and his writings are credited by many observers with giving science fiction a human and practical face.He was the author of more than 100 fiction and non-fiction books, and his writings are credited by many observers with giving science fiction a human and practical face.
In the 1940s Clarke maintained man would reach the moon by the year 2000, an idea then dismissed. In the 1940s Clarke maintained man would reach the moon by the year 2000, an idea dismissed at the time.
A farmer's son, he was educated at Huish's Grammar School in Taunton before joining the civil service.A farmer's son, he was educated at Huish's Grammar School in Taunton before joining the civil service.
During World War II, Clarke volunteered for the Royal Air Force, where he worked in the then highly-secretive development of radar.During World War II, Clarke volunteered for the Royal Air Force, where he worked in the then highly-secretive development of radar.
I was very fond of him indeed. A man of integrity, a man of vision, a man you could trust Sir Patrick Moore Obituary of Arthur C Clarke class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4496&edition=1">Send us your comments I was very fond of him indeed. A man of integrity, a man of vision, a man you could trust Sir Patrick Moore Obituary of Arthur C Clarke
British astronomer, Sir Patrick Moore, had known Sir Arthur since they met as teenagers at the British Interplanetary Society.British astronomer, Sir Patrick Moore, had known Sir Arthur since they met as teenagers at the British Interplanetary Society.
"He was ahead of his time in so many ways," Sir Patrick said."He was ahead of his time in so many ways," Sir Patrick said.
"Quite apart from artificial satellites there were other things too. A great science fiction writer, a very good scientist, a great prophet and a very dear friend, I'm very, very sad that he's gone.""Quite apart from artificial satellites there were other things too. A great science fiction writer, a very good scientist, a great prophet and a very dear friend, I'm very, very sad that he's gone."
He paid tribute to his friend, remembering him as "a very sincere person" with "a strong sense of humour".He paid tribute to his friend, remembering him as "a very sincere person" with "a strong sense of humour".
Future thinkerFuture thinker
George Whitesides, the executive director of the National Space Society, on which Sir Arthur served on the board of governors, said his enthusiasm "was what I think made him so popular in many ways".George Whitesides, the executive director of the National Space Society, on which Sir Arthur served on the board of governors, said his enthusiasm "was what I think made him so popular in many ways".
"He was always thinking about what could come next but also about how life could be improved in the future."He was always thinking about what could come next but also about how life could be improved in the future.
HAVE YOUR SAYAn incredible inventor of science fiction, people like him inspired today's scientists Misbah, Surrey Send us your comments
"It's a vision that I think we could use more of today.""It's a vision that I think we could use more of today."
After a failed marriage Sir Arthur moved to Sri Lanka, then called Ceylon, in 1956, where he lived with a business partner and his family, and pursued his interest in scuba-diving.After a failed marriage Sir Arthur moved to Sri Lanka, then called Ceylon, in 1956, where he lived with a business partner and his family, and pursued his interest in scuba-diving.
His status as the grand old man of science fiction was threatened when, in 1998, allegations of child abuse, which he strenuously denied, caused the confirmation of a knighthood to be delayed.His status as the grand old man of science fiction was threatened when, in 1998, allegations of child abuse, which he strenuously denied, caused the confirmation of a knighthood to be delayed.
Although cleared by an investigation, Sir Arthur's unconventional lifestyle continued to cause some raised eyebrows.Although cleared by an investigation, Sir Arthur's unconventional lifestyle continued to cause some raised eyebrows.
From 1995, the author was largely confined to a wheelchair, suffering from post-polio syndrome.From 1995, the author was largely confined to a wheelchair, suffering from post-polio syndrome.