-1950
![](http://arthurcclarke.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1950.jpg)
Arthur C Clarke becomes a full time author. Interplanetary Flight: An Introduction to Astronautics is published
-1953
![](http://arthurcclarke.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1953-A.jpg)
Childhood’s End is published to critical acclaim, establishes Arthur C Clarke as a major science fiction writer
-1953
![](http://arthurcclarke.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1953-B-1.jpg)
Arthur Clarke marries Marilyn Mayfield in Florida; they are separated within a year
-1954
![](http://arthurcclarke.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1954.jpg)
Exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, with Mike Wilson (resulting in The Coast of Coral)
-1956
![](http://arthurcclarke.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1956-1.jpg)
Exploring seas around Ceylon with Mike Wilson and Rodney Jonklaas (documented in The Reefs of Taprobane); decides to reside in the Indian Ocean island
-1957
![](http://arthurcclarke.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1957-1.jpg)
Space Age dawns with Sputnik 1, and Arthur C Clarke becomes a much sought after chronicler of space exploration