Sci-Fi Writer Ray Bradbury Dies At 91

Ray Bradbury, author of such works as “Farenheit 451” and “The Martian Chronicles” died June 5 at his home in Los Angeles – he was 91. Photo Credit: whitehouse.gov

On Tuesday June 5, 2012, one of the top science fiction writers of the 20th century, Ray Bradbury, died in his home in Los Angeles – he was 91.

Bradbury was a very influential author, having sold more than eight million copies in more than 36 languages. Bradbury is credited with bringing the science fiction genre into the mainstream. Not only did his work include short-story collections such as, “The Martian Chronicles,” “The Illustrated Man” and “The Golden Apples of the Sun,” but also novels like “Fahrenheit 451” and “Something Wicked This Way Comes.”

All though he had been restricted to a wheel chair in recent years because of a stroke, his career lasted an astonishing 70 years. Bradbury was writing novels, plays, screenplays and poetry -up until the last week of his life. On June 4, The New Yorker magazine published his autobiographical essay that detailed his discovery of science fiction when he was a young boy. In it he regaled readers with descriptions of his wild imagination.

“It was one frenzy after one elation after one enthusiasm after one hysteria after another,” he wrote. “You rarely have such fevers later in life that fill your entire day with emotion.”

Not only are his works influential – they are also timeless. Bradbury’s works have been taught in schools and colleges, many decades after they were published. His creative writing has been used by a generation of young writers filling freelance creative writing jobs and searching for that creative spark they have been looking for. His works will be remembered in history as new generations delve into the world of science-fiction.

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