Michael Crichton, the renowned author and filmmaker, passed away on November 4, 2008, at age 66. Mr. Crichton was the creator of the popular television series ER and the author of numerous best-selling books, including Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, and Airframe. His books frequently tackled themes of science, technology, and its consequences. A polymath with a diverse range of interests, his creative works led to the creation of films like Westworld, Twister, and Congo. In 1994, he won an Emmy and a Peabody Award for his work on ER. Mr. Crichton was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to New York City and then Los Angeles to pursue his filmmaking and writing careers. After his success in the entertainment industry, he began a parallel career in education, lecturing at Cambridge University and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His legacy reaches far beyond the entertainment world and lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of fans. He will be remembered for his inventive works in literature, film, and television, and for his influence in the world of ideas.