The Life of Isaac Asimov
By: Zachary Defrancis and Tyler Nelson
Isaac Asimov was born Isaac Judah Osimov between October 14th, 1919 and January 2nd, 1920 (his exact birthdate is unknown due to record keeping errors), in Petrovichi, Russia to two Orthodox Jewish millers, Judah Osimov and Anna Osimov. In 1923, Asimov and his family moved to Brooklyn, New York where upon arrival Judah changed the family name to Asimov. While both parents were Orthodox Jews, they did not force the religion on Isaac, causing him to develop more secular beliefs. The family constantly moved around the Brooklyn area throughout Isaac’s childhood, owning various candy shops and never settling in one place for more than a few years. Asimov’s love of reading and writing was sparked at a young age. He enjoyed reading the science fiction magazines that were sold at his family’s candy shops and by the end of high school Asimov was writing his own short stories. After high school, Asimov attended Columbia University. Throughout his college years, Asimov continued reading and writing science fiction stories and was even able to get several letters published in the popular magazine Astounding Science Fiction. In early 1938, Asimov worked up enough courage to submit one of his stories titled, “Cosmic Corkscrew”, to a magazine. This first story was rejected, but he kept trying and on October 17th, 1938, after nine rejections from various magazines, Asimov received an acceptance letter for his story “Marooned Off Vesta” from Amazing Stories. In 1939, he earned his Bachelors of Science degree and in 1941 his Master’s from Columbia University. He eventually earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1948, having been interrupted by his service in World War II. After this accomplishment, he worked as an associate professor at Boston University, all the while continuing to write fervently. In 1950, he finally published his first novel, Pebble in the Sky, and I, Robot, perhaps his most famous novel, followed soon after. Asimov wrote a number of his most famous and highly praised works in the 1940s and 50s, including the Foundation series, The Bicentennial Man and the short stories “Nightfall” and “The Last Question.” During this time he began writing more strictly scientific books and essays.
Asimov won many awards throughout his prolific career, including many Hugo and Nebula awards, awards from scientific societies, and fourteen honorary doctorates from a number of different universities. He was famous for writing all day, every day. He had to be forced to go on vacations and spent nearly all of his free time writing. By the end of his career, he had written almost 500 books, and countless other essays and articles. He died on April 6, 1992 in New York City of kidney and heart failure, which were complications of an HIV infection he acquired after a blood transfusion. He had two children, David and Robyn Joan.
Asimov won many awards throughout his prolific career, including many Hugo and Nebula awards, awards from scientific societies, and fourteen honorary doctorates from a number of different universities. He was famous for writing all day, every day. He had to be forced to go on vacations and spent nearly all of his free time writing. By the end of his career, he had written almost 500 books, and countless other essays and articles. He died on April 6, 1992 in New York City of kidney and heart failure, which were complications of an HIV infection he acquired after a blood transfusion. He had two children, David and Robyn Joan.