Clarke

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) -- Science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke will be presented with the University of Illinois Presidential Award and Medallion in Colombo next month, the United States Information Service (USIS) said on Wednesday.

It said in a statement that Clarke was being honored for his numerous literary and scientific achievements and for the relationship he created with the university at Urbana-Champaign when he named it as the birthplace of HAL 9000, the spaceship computer in the novel and film "2001: A Space Odyssey"

Earl Kellogg, associate provost for international affairs at the university will present the award to Clarke on June 5, the statement said.

Child abuse accusations unfounded

Clarke was to be knighted by Prince Charles in February during his visit to Sri Lanka, but asked for the investiture to be delayed after child abuse accusations were made against him by a British newspaper.

Last month Clarke's office said that he had been invited to London to receive his knighthood after the accusations against him were found to be false.

Predicting the future

British-born Clarke, who has lived in Colombo for more than 30 years, is the author of scores of novels and science-fiction books and creator of several documentaries.

In the last half century, many of Clarke's predictions have come true, including his then-controversial 1945 outline of a network of geo-stationary communication satellites.

The USIS statement said ten other people had received the university presidential award and medallion, including Philippine President Fidel Ramos.

Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

Related story:

• Remembering "2001: A Space Odyssey" - April 30, 1998
• Police: Arthur C. Clarke 'has not violated any laws'

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