Sci-Fi Master Ray Bradbury Dead At 91

By Joshua Tyler | Updated

Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury died on June 5, 2012, in Los Angeles at the age of 91. At the time, he was survived by four daughters and eight grandchildren.

Ray Bradbury is without question one of the greatest writers of the 20th century and one of the true giants of the science fiction genre. He will be forever remembered in the same breath as greats like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, and Robert A. Heinlein.

As an author Ray Bradbury is probably best known for Fahrenheit 451, a book that’s now required reading in most high school English curriculums. Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in 1953, and it was his second novel.

He could have stopped there. Only a handful of writers have ever written or are capable of writing anything that significant. But Ray Bradbury wrote 11 fictional novels over the course of his career, a dozen non-fiction books, and short stories beyond counting. Some of those titles include The Martian Chronicles, The Veldt, All Summer in a Day, and Dandelion Wine. His last novel, Farewell to Summer, was published in 2006.

A number of Bradbury titles, stories, and novels were adapted to the big screen over the years. Fahrenheit 451 has had multiple versions, while A Sound of Thunder, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Illustrated Man, and The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, were also adapted.

Ray Bradbury’s stories alone would have cemented his legacy as one of the true literary giants, but Bradbury did more, so much more. He remained active in the sci-fi community his entire life, appearing regularly at conventions and speaking engagements.

He’s had numerous awards named after him and even an asteroid. Talk to any modern science fiction author, and they will almost certainly admit that Ray Bradbury, as a man, and his work were primary influences. He wrote during a burgeoning time for the sci-fi genre and remains one of the truly great voices there.

Ray Bradbury is undoubtedly missed even to this day, but his legacy is one that’s sure to stretch throughout the ages. He joins an elite pantheon of true science fiction greats.

There’s never been a better time to catch up on your Ray Bradbury reading. Here’s a full list of his novels available now on Amazon.

Where possible, we’ve included a link to the Kindle version for instant reading and appreciation, though Ray Bradbury, who mistrusted the internet, probably wouldn’t approve…

The Martian Chronicles
Fahrenheit 451
Dandelion Wine
Something Wicked This Way Comes
The Halloween Tree
Death Is a Lonely Business
A Graveyard for Lunatics
From the Dust Returned
Let’s All Kill Constance
Farewell Summer