J. G. Ballard: Author of Empire of the Sun Dies at 78

J. G. Ballard was an English novelist known for his science fiction and for his autobiographical novel Empire of the Sun. Born on November 15, 1930, in Shanghai, he spent part of his childhood in a Japanese internment camp.

He wrote The Drowned World, Crash, High-Rise and Empire of the Sun (1984), which was filmed by Steven Spielberg. His fiction explored the dark side of technology, consumerism and modern life.

Ballard moved to England as a teenager and lived in Shepperton for decades. He died of prostate cancer in London on April 19, 2009, at age 78.

Achievements: Author of Empire of the Sun and Crash.

Birth: November 15, 1930 - Shanghai, China.

Profession: Novelist.

Interesting Facts: The adjective Ballardian is now used to describe his style.