I was saddened a few mornings ago to hear of the death of Arthur C. Clarke, one of my (and, indeed, the world’s) favorite science fiction authors. When I first read 2001: A Space Odyssey as a sixth-grader, its ending baffled me. Only later did I appreciate (with the help of Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation) its inspiring vision of human evolution. His short story, The Nine Billion Names of God is etched in my memory for the connection it draws between scientists and mystics.

Clarke enriched literature with the awesome grandeur possible and accessible in scientific discovery.

• NPR's remembrance
• Wikipedia entry
• SciFan's list of his books.
• Will Rendezvous with Rama make it to the big screen in 2009?