One of the most famous science-fiction, fantasy and short story writers from the 60s and 70s, Philip Jose Farmer, passed away at the age of 91, the Peoria Journal Star reports.

Farmer died quietly in his sleep, the announcement on his official website writes. During his writing

As much as I like his work, I liked him 10 times better. He had this playful relationship with the universe. He was just a pleasure to be around.

author Tracy Knight

Critics, as well as the readers, believed Farmer was one of the greatest writers of the newer age. His first-published story was 1952`s The Lovers, which drew attention of writers and science-fiction fans, because it was the first of the genre to seriously tackle the theme of sexuality. It was a love story between an Earthling and an alien.

Although he fought hard to live off his writing, it took him a long time to get there. Fame he had in the world was not reflected in his home of Peoria.

He told AP in 1988 that people of Peoria though he was dark.

- It seems that people don`t read much over there – the author said.

His last novella  “The City Beyond Play” was published in 2007.