Arthur C. Clarke: Science Fiction Author of 2001: A Space Odyssey Dies a

Sir Arthur C. Clarke was a British science fiction writer and futurist. Born on December 16, 1917, in Minehead, England, he served as a radar specialist in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

Clarke wrote Childhood's End, Rendezvous with Rama and The Fountains of Paradise, and he co-wrote the screenplay for Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). In 1945 he proposed the use of geostationary satellites for global communications.

He moved to Sri Lanka in 1956 and lived there for the rest of his life. Clarke was knighted in 2000. He died in Colombo on March 19, 2008, at age 90, of breathing problems related to post-polio syndrome.

Achievements: Knighted (2000), co-writer of 2001: A Space Odyssey, proposed geostationary satellites.

Birth: December 16, 1917 - Minehead, England.

Profession: Author and futurist.

Interesting Facts: The geostationary orbit is also known as the Clarke Belt.