The acclaimed author, whose book Awakenings inspired a film of the same name, reportedly died of cancer at his home in New York.

In February he wrote about his illness - and being "face to face with dying".

Awakenings was Dr Sacks' account of how he brought a group of patients "back to life" after they spent years in "frozen states" after an illness.

The film version, which starred Robert De Niro and Robin Williams, was nominated for three Academy Awards - including best picture, in 1991.

Dr Sacks, who was born in London, was the author of several other books about unusual medical conditions, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat and The Island Of The Colorblind.

He was awarded several honorary degrees recognising his contribution to science and literature, as well as a CBE in 2008 in the Queen's Birthday Honours. 

Tributes to the author have been paid on Twitter, including by the author JK Rowling, who called him "great, humane and inspirational".

Biologist Richard Dawkins tweeted: "I met Oliver Sacks only twice, but greatly admired him. Sad to hear of his death."

 www.bbc.com/news/uk-34102119

RIP Oliver Sacks