Famed research scientist Oliver Sacks passed away today at the age of 82.
Sacks’ assistant confirmed the news to the New York Times this morning. The revered doctor and bestselling author revealed in February of this year that a tumor in his eye had spread cancer to his liver.
Sacks was the rare scientist whose findings and observations were so fascinating to the layperson that they often translated into popular entertainment.
His books about the vagaries of the human brain include such favorites as The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat and Awakenings.
The latter was adapted into an acclaimed 1990 film in which Robin Williams played a character based on Sacks.
Despite his cancer diagnosis in 2006, Sacks remained active in the media until his death. He published his twelfth book – an autobiography entitled On the Move – earlier this year.
In one of his final tweets, he expressed his support for President Jimmy Carter, who recently revealed that he’s been diagnosed with melanoma – the same form of cancer that claimed Sacks’ life.
“I feel grateful that I have been granted nine years of good health and productivity since the original diagnosis, but now I am face to face with dying,” Sacks wrote in a piece for the New York Times, published just months before his death.
He went on to express his gratitude for a long, full life that allowed to be of tremendous service to others.