Clarke was one of the most eminent science-fiction authors of the 20th century. Born in 1917 in England, he served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. This experience formed the background for his only non sci-fi novel, "Glide Path." At this time, Clarke developed the idea of placing satellites in space so that they would always be above the same place on earth, serving as communication hubs. He published an article in a British technical magazine, but was dissuaded from patenting his "far-fetched" idea. Decades later, with numerous satellites in geostationary orbit (now officially called "the Clarke orbit"), he jokingly lamented the loss of billions.
Clarke went to live in Sri Lanka in 1956, once he found that he could live off his writing. Among his most notable feats was the collaboration with cult film director Stanley Kubrick on "2001: A Space Odyssey," considered by many the definitive science-fiction movie. He wrote the novel that formed the plot of the film and co-wrote the script with Kubrick. His later work explored the boundaries of human knowledge, the necessity, as he saw it, to conquer the far reaches of space, and the difficulties of contact with alien civilizations.
Clarke was well-known and loved in Russia. His political views were moderate; in his novels, he often described Russians and Americans working together toward lofty goals; in addition, his semi reclusive life in Sri Lanka seemed to indicate his dissatisfaction with the capitalist world. Many Soviet cosmonauts, like their U.S. counterparts, mentioned Clarke's fiction as a source of inspiration for their career choice. Clarke's books were published in huge print runs and serialized in popular magazines for younger readers (I remember reading his "Rendezvous with Rama" in one such magazine).
Clarke continued to produce a steady stream of writing in his later years, though he spent much time scuba diving and even established a diving shop. His last years were plagued with misfortunes: The shop was destroyed by the tsunami wave of 2004, while the writer himself suffered from polio complications, which bound him to the wheelchair. These notwithstanding, he lived a long and interesting life and will be long remembered for his vision by readers in many parts of the globe.
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