His book called Awakenings about people who died in the 1920s from the encephalitis lethargica epidemic was turned into a 1990 film of the same starring Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro.
Well known neurologist and best-selling author Oliver Sacks passed away on Sunday in New York City at the age of 82. Sacks was one of the most popular names in science and was a best-selling author as well, writing books like The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat. His book called Awakenings about people who died in the 1920s from the encephalitis lethargica epidemic was turned into a 1990 film of the same starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.
The New York Times wrote: "As a medical doctor and a writer, Dr. Sacks achieved a level of popular renown rare among scientists. More than a million copies of his books are in print in the United States, his work was adapted for film and stage, and he received about 10,000 letters a year. ('I invariably reply to people under 10, over 90 or in prison,' he once said.)
Later in his life, Sacks began studying about hallucinations, inspired by LSD use in his youth. He was awarded a CBE in 2008 for his contributions to science. Jacqui Graham, Dr Sacks' publicist was quoted saying, "He died surrounded by the things he loved and the people he loved, very peacefully, after an illness he had known about since January this year. He taught us a great deal, right up until the very end.
Paying tribute to Dr Sacks, she added: "He was completely himself - eccentric, but in a marvellous way. He was just completely full of love for life and very impish, and he was childish in the very best sense." Others also paid their tributes to Sacks. Popular best-selling author JK Rowling tweeted that he was “great, humane and inspirational”, while Richard Dawkins said: “"I met Oliver Sacks only twice, but greatly admired him. Sad to hear of his death."
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