Arthur C. Clarke, the influential science fiction author best known for his novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, died Wednesday in Sri Lanka. He was 90.

The award-winning author, who had suffered from the affects of post-polio syndrome since the 1960s and was confined to a wheelchair for the past decade, died at Colombo’s Apollo Hospital after suffering from respiratory problems.

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke wrote 100 books and more than 1,000 short stories and essays over 60 years. Among his best-selling novels are the aforementioned 2001: A Space Odyssey, Childhood’s End, Rendezvous with Rama, and Fountains of Paradise.

Trained in physics and mathematics, Clarke also originated the idea of communications satellites. The visionary author wrote many books and essays of non-fiction on space travel, communication technologies, underwater exploration, and future studies.

In 1969, Clarke shared a best screenplay Oscar nomination with Stanley Kubrick for the movie adaptation of 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was based on Clarke’s 1948 short story The Sentinel.

The British-born Clarke, who retained his British citizenship after becoming Sri Lanka’s first Resident Guest in 1975 and lived there until his death, was granted a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his literary achievements.

In December 2007, for his 90th birthday, Clarke released a video reflecting on his life (watch it here below). In it he said he had “no regrets and no more personal ambitions” and that if he had three last wishes they would be to see some evidence of extra-terrestrial life; to “kick our current addiction to oil” and adopt clean energy sources; and for lasting peace in Sri Lanka with an end to the island nation’s lengthy civil war.

Earlier this month, Clarke viewed the final manuscript for The Last Theorem, his latest science fiction novel, which was co-written by American author Frederik Pohl and is scheduled to be published later this year.

Video

Sir Arthur C. Clarke 90th birthday reflections

[Source: Yahoo! News; The Arthur Clark Foundation]