Not very many people anywhere knew the exact temperature at which paper burns prior to 1953. Now, countless millions the world over have the specific thermometer reading burned into their memories, due to Ray Bradbury's now-classic FAHRENHEIT 451, published that year. Considered by many to be one of the most important and influential books of the latter half of the 20th Century, it's also one of the most acclaimed and bestselling science fiction books ever. FAHRENHEIT rose to the heights from a humble beginning. It was originally developed by the young author as a novella while feeding dimes into a coin-operated typewriter in the basement of the UCLA Library. Surrounding students and librarians had no way of knowing the literary magic being conjured up in their midst. Readers the world over can be thankful Ray had a steady supply of the tiny silver coins as he ingeniously poured his inspiration into the manuscript. The rest is literary history.

Bradbury went on, of course, to a highly remarkable career and has written more than 500 published works including short stories, novels, plays, screenplays, television scripts, and verse. Best known are the perennials, DANDELION WINE, THE ILLUSTRATED MAN, THE HALLOWEEN TREE, and SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES.

Ray Douglas Bradbury was born in Waukegan, Illinois, on August 22, 1920. Today, as an author, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, lecturer, poet and visionary, he is known and loved far and wide. He started writing his stories as an 11 year-old on butcher paper and by 1934 the Bradbury family moved to Los Angeles where he’s resided ever since. He attended Los Angeles High School and planned to become an actor until teachers encouraged him to continue working as a writer. His formal education ended with his high school graduation, but he continued educating himself in the library while spending long hours at the typewriter honing his writing skills.

Bradbury's work has won innumerable honors and awards, including the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America, and a special Lifetime Achievement Pulitzer Prize in 2007. At an age when most men are long retired, Bradbury remains a dynamic storyteller and writer. His incredible body of work exemplifies one of the greatest contemporary imaginations.

The South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library will present Ray Bradbury on Friday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the South Pasadena High School Auditorium. The free event will open with the classical music duo AlmaNova, who regularly perform at major music festivals. Mayor Michael A. Cacciotti will present a Proclamation declaring March 14 as “Ray Bradbury Day in South Pasadena.” The 733-seat High School Auditorium is located at 1401 Fremont Avenue and free parking will be available in the lot. No tickets or reservations are necessary and doors will open at 6:30. After the show, a limited number of autographed books will be available for purchase in the lobby as a fundraiser for the Friends.