Christopher Hitchens was an English-American author, journalist, and literary critic. He was born in Portsmouth, England in 1949 and was known for his outspoken and controversial views on a variety of topics. Hitchens was a prolific writer, having written over a dozen books, hundreds of essays, and countless articles. He was a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and a columnist for Slate. Hitchens was an atheist and a vocal critic of religion, particularly Christianity. He was also a strong advocate for the Iraq War and a critic of the Bush administration. He was a fierce opponent of totalitarianism and a defender of free speech. He was a passionate debater and often engaged in public debates with religious figures such as Al Sharpton and Tony Blair. Hitchens was a highly respected figure in the literary world and was awarded numerous awards and honors for his work. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and was awarded the National Magazine Award for Reviews and Criticism in 2001. He was also a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Toronto. Hitchens passed away in 2011 after a long battle with cancer. He was remembered for his wit, intelligence, and courage in the face of adversity. He was a passionate and outspoken advocate for freedom of thought and expression and will be remembered for his contributions to the world of literature.