Douglas Adams

Profession: Author

Nationality:

Biography: Douglas Adams was an English author best known for 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' which began as a BBC radio series before becoming first a novel. In 2005 it was made into a major film featuring Martin Freeman and Sam Rockwell, among others.

Adams was committed to a number of social and political causes—from environmentalism and conservationism to technological innovation and atheism. While describing himself as a radical atheist, Adams remained interested in the social influence of religious belief.

He also campaigned on behalf of endangered species, including his participating in a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro while wearing a rhinoceros costume; and was the first person to buy a Mac computer in Europe, with second-place going to Stephen Fry.

Douglas Adams died of a heart attack at 49; and fittingly for such a fan of technological innovation, his funeral was the first church service to be broadcast live online by the BBC.

Born: March 11, 1952
Birthplace: Cambridge, England

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
Star Sign: Pisces

Died: May 11, 2001 (aged 49)
Cause of Death: Myocardial infarction and a fatal cardiac arrhythmia