Ray Bradbury dies

Fantasy and horror writer Ray Bradbury has died at the age of 91 after a long illness.

Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451, published in the 1950s, Bradbury's writing career spanned more than 70 years and hundreds of short stories and nearly 50 books.

He was the recipient of numerous awards, including a special citation from the Pulitzer Board and an Emmy for his screenplay of The Halloween Tree.

Bradbury died on 5th June, and is survived by his four daughters and eight grandchildren. His wife, Marguerite, died in 2003 after 57 years of marriage.

His publisher in the UK, HarperVoyager said: "He will be sadly missed, not only in the genre of which he made himself a master, but by the entire literary world."

Bradbury often recounted the tale of how he met a carnival magician, Mr Electrico, as a 12-year-old in 1932. At the end of his performance the performer reached out and touched the boy with his sword, commanding: “Live forever!”. Bradbury later said, “I decided that was the greatest idea I had ever heard.

"I started writing every day. I never stopped.”

Photograph of Bradbury in 1975, taken by Alan Light.