Ray Bradbury

Legacy: the Artists Behind the Legends

Ray Douglas Bradbury was an American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter active through the majority of the 19th and well into the early years of the 20th century. Best known for his remarkable science fiction tale, Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury actually somewhat resented being described as a strictly science fiction author, believing himself to instead be a fantasy writer, depicting visions and myths of the unreal versus the real. Though this had no effect whatsoever on his reputation – Bradbury was one of the most celebrated 20th and 21st century writers, receiving numerous awards including a 2007 Pulitzer Citation, and he was the man the New York Times claimed to be “the writer most responsible for bringing modern science fiction into the literary mainstream.” His 91 years were additionally spent writing screenplays, television scripts, and pieces for the stage, and many of his works were adapted to comic books, television, and films over the years. Still, with such an impressive list of literary accomplishments, we have to wonder, just who was Ray Bradbury apart from his writing prestige? Well, for you romantics out there, it took Ray 22 years to ask a girl out, and that girl eventually became his wife Marguerite; he also hated cars, computers, and much of the technology we would be lost without today, though he loved the idea of sending his ashes to Mars in a Campbell’s soup can after he passed away. Bradbury was one hell of an extraordinary and talented human being, so let’s get to it and talk all things Bradbury this week for episode 27 of Legacy: the Artists Behind the Legends.