Ray Bradbury, Author of Fahrenheit 451, Dead at 91.

Ray Bradbury was science fiction before science fiction was cool.

The legendary author of Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles and many more classics passed away Tuesday night, various sources were reporting. He was 91. 

His career spanned and, in fact, helped guide the rise of geek culture: His earliest stories were published in the 1930s, the most recent ones just a few years ago.

His tales were the basis for The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms and It Came From Outer Space, two 1950s films that became templates for Hollywood alien invasions to come. His stories were translated to the screen by everyone from French auteur François Truffaut (Fahrenneit 451) to Hollywood heartthrob Rock Hudson (The Martian Chronicles). His influence was everywhere.