| Isaac Asimov is born in Petrovichi, U.S.S.R., on January 2 (the
date may have been as early as October 4, 1919), first child of
Judah Asimov and Anna Rachel Asimov, née Berman. |
1923 | The Asimovs emigrate to the United States and settle in
Brooklyn. |
1925 | Teaches himself to read and begins his career as a child prodigy. |
1926 | His father buys the first of a series of candy stores in Brooklyn.
His life begins to be shaped by the demands of the store. |
1928 | Becomes a U.S. citizen. |
1929 | Discovers science-fiction magazines and becomes a fan. |
1931 | Attempts his first fiction. |
1932 | Enters high school. |
1935 | Enters Seth Low Junior College. His writing increases. Writes a
letter to Astounding that is published. |
1936 | Continues his college education at Columbia University. |
1937 | Begins writing letters to Astounding again. |
1938 | Begins to keep a diary and joins the Futurians. Takes his first
story to John W. Campbell, Jr., new editor of Astounding. |
1939 | First published story, "Marooned Off Vesta," appears in Amazing
Stories, "Trends," in Astounding. Earns his B.S. degree from
Columbia and enters graduate school there, majoring in chemistry. |
1940 | Begins writing robot stories. |
1941 | Writes "Nightfall." |
1942 | Begins the Foundation series with "Foundation." Suspends his
graduate studies to serve as a chemist at the U.S. Navy Yard in
Philadelphia. Marries Gertrude Blugerman. |
1945 | Is drafted after V-J Day (and released less than a year later). |
1946 | Returns to his studies at Columbia. |
1948 | Earns his Ph.D. and takes up post-doctorate work at Columbia. |