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Michael Crichton, 'Jurassic Park' Author, Passes Away at 66

by Lee Bains on November 6, 2008 at 04:10 PM


Michael Crichton, the best-selling author of such Sci-Fi-tinged, screen-adapted novels as 'Jurassic Park,' 'Congo' and 'The Andromeda Strain,' passed away Tuesday, ending a quietly fought battle with cancer.

Having earned his M.D. from Harvard University's Medical School, Crichton came to writing with a firm foundation (and fascination) with biotechnology. With his novels -- and their screen adaptations -- Crichton played a significant role in introducing biotech to the popular imagination as he early dealt with viral microorganisms in 'The Andromeda Strain,' as well as DNA and cloning in 'Jurassic Park.' He also explored robotics as director of 1973's 'Westworld,' about a resort in which all the cyborg-like help goes berserk. Crichton even dabbled in video games, helping create 'Timeline' in 1999 for Eidos Interactive.

Along with contemporaries like Stephen King and John Grisham, Crichton was one of few contemporary novelists to know real celebrity status, and will be missed by his many readers and fans. From: [Pop Eater via Asylum]

Tags: author, biotech, breaking news, BreakingNews, crichton, expire-images2009-11-6, film, writer

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