Today in 2000, science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, CBE, FRAS, was knighted as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in Columbo, Sri Lanka. The honor is given to those who have shown excellence in the fields of arts and science. Clarke is perhaps most notable as the co-writer of Stanley Kubrick’s ground-breaking 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). He also wrote the short story “The Sentinel” which served as the inspiration for 2001. In addition to being a sci-fi writer, Clarke was also an avid futurist, writing several books and essays on the subject of human and technological advancement. The two subjects he found most fascinating were space and sea exploration. In the 1980’s, Clarke hosted several television series’ about our world and the mysteries of the universe.

 

Image Credit: BBC News