Ray Bradbury

We all admired him; he, to my everlasting honor and confoundment, befriended me. He was an immortal, and a generous and brilliant Angeleno. The city named a square at the downtown Central Library in his honor. I think we owe him at least a Metro station that bears the name of this man who famously didn't drive; all of his energy and brainpower went into his formidable and hugely influential body of work.

Above: The author is seen at the 12th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 28, 2007.