Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Sir Arthur C. Clarke is a central figure in the post-World War II development of science fiction.  

His guarded optimism for the possible benefits of technology and his explorations of humanity in relation to the vastness of the universe set him apart from other science fiction authors of the time.

The compelling paradox at the heart of much of Clarke's work first appeared in his 1948 short story The Sentinel.  A tale of the discovery of an alien artifact on the Moon, the story was technological “hard” science fiction yet contained strong metaphysical overtones examining religion and the longing for God. In 1968, the story became the basis of the landmark film 2001: A Space Odyssey, which made Clarke arguably the best-known science fiction writer in the world.  

Never considered a “literary” author, Clarke nonetheless always wrote with lucidity, candor, and grace, coupled with a cold, sharp evocativeness that has produced some of the most memorable images in science fiction.