Isaac Asimov

NAME: Isaac Asimov

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Renowned science fiction author, biochemist, and educator.

BIRTH: Born on an unknown date between October 4, 1919, and January 2, 1920, in Petrovichi, Russia. Asimov celebrated his birthday on January 2. 

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Isaac Asimov was born to Anna Rachel Berman and Judah Asimov, a family of Russian Jewish millers. His family immigrated to the United States when he was just three years old, settling in Brooklyn, New York.

CHILDHOOD: Asimov grew up in a modest household, surrounded by books and intellectual stimulation. 

His folks, after setting up shop in Brooklyn, New York., found themselves running a series of candy stores – a veritable Willy Wonka wonderland for a young Isaac. Except, instead of chocolate rivers, there were endless stacks of magazines, including those pulpy sci-fi numbers his dad probably considered pure rubbish. Young Isaac, however, devoured them like a sugar-crazed kid on a Gummy Bear bender. 

EDUCATION: Asimov attended New York City public schools and went on to study at Columbia University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1939. He later earned his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University.

CAREER RECORD: Asimov's career was multifaceted. He worked as a biochemistry professor at Boston University School of Medicine and wrote over 500 books covering various topics, including science fiction, popular science, and mysteries. His most famous works include the Foundation series, the Robot series, and the Galactic Empire series.

APPEARANCE: Asimov was of slightly below medium height with a round face, often sporting thick-rimmed glasses.

FASHION: Known for his simple and practical attire, Asimov preferred comfortable clothing over fashion trends.

CHARACTER: Asimov was described as curious, introspective, and intellectually voracious. He possessed a keen analytical mind and a deep sense of empathy. He was a hard-working and dedicated writer.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Asimov had a witty and playful sense of humor, often incorporating clever wordplay and puns into his writing and conversations.

RELATIONSHIPS: Isaac Asimov's love life wasn't quite as fantastical as his science fiction stories. In 1942, on a blind date that could have been plucked from a sitcom, he met Gertrude Blugerman. Sparks flew, and they married on July 26th that same year. Together, they had two children, David arriving in 1951 and Robyn Joan following in 1955. However, by 1970, things went sour, and they separated.

Asimov didn't stay single for long. He soon found himself smitten with Janet O. Jeppson, a psychiatrist who, conveniently enough, also dabbled in science fiction writing. They started dating and, two weeks after finalizing his divorce from Gertrude, Asimov married Janet on November 30, 1973.

MONEY AND FAME: Asimov achieved both financial success and fame during his lifetime, becoming one of the most prolific and beloved authors in the science fiction genre.

FOOD AND DRINK: Asimov enjoyed simple and hearty meals, often indulging in Eastern European and American cuisine. He had a fondness for coffee and occasionally enjoyed a glass of wine.

MUSIC AND ARTS: Asimov appreciated classical music and had a deep love for opera. He also had an interest in visual arts, particularly paintings and sculptures.

LITERATURE: Asimov's love for literature was evident in his extensive reading habits and his own prolific writing career. He was well-versed in various genres, including science fiction, mystery, and classic literature. He was influenced by authors like H.G. Wells and Edward Gibbon.

Writing sci-fi turned out to be a goldmine compared to the meager academic salary. So, by the 1950s, Asimov was churning out stories that would go on to influence spaceships, robots, and everything in between on the silver screen. Remember that movie where a robot had a meltdown because it couldn't follow its programming? Yeah, you can thank Isaac for that little nugget.

NATURE: Asimov had a fascination with the natural world and often incorporated elements of biology, astronomy, and ecology into his science fiction stories.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Asimov enjoyed playing chess and engaging in intellectual discussions. He was not particularly athletic but appreciated the mental challenge of strategic games.

Asimov was a prolific letter writer (estimated to have written over 90,000).

SCIENCE AND MATHS: As a trained biochemist, Asimov had a deep understanding and appreciation for science and mathematics, which he seamlessly integrated into his fiction writing.

Technology wasn't exactly Asimov's forte. When a newfangled computer landed on his doorstep in the 80s, he about had a meltdown. But a kind soul from Radio Shack came to the rescue, teaching Asimov the ropes. And before you knew it, the man who once wrote exclusively on a typewriter This would end the author's exclusive use of a typewriter was shilling computers in ads.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Although Asimov was a Jew he was an atheist and held humanist beliefs. He was extremely proud of his role as the honorary president of the American Humanist Association.

He was deeply interested in philosophy and explored philosophical and existential themes in his writing, such as the nature of free will and humanity's place in the universe

SCANDAL: Asimov's life was relatively free from scandal, with his focus primarily on his writing and academic pursuits.

MILITARY RECORD: Asimov served as a civilian scientist during World War II

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Asimov was a full-blown claustrophile, happiest when tucked away in a tiny, windowless room – perfect for cranking out those sci-fi adventures.

Speaking of quirks, Asimov's skin was about as sun-tolerant as a vampire. Ten minutes outside and he'd resemble a poorly cooked lobster. 

Asimov struggled with health issues throughout his later life, including heart and kidney problems. Despite this, he maintained a relatively active lifestyle and continued writing until his final days.

HOMES: Asimov lived in various locations throughout his life, including Brooklyn, New York, Boston, Massachusetts, and eventually settled in New York City where he snagged an apartment with a killer view of Central Park. However, he  nearly always had the blinds down, so he would not be distracted from his work by the views. Priorities, people, priorities.

TRAVEL: Asimov traveled extensively for speaking engagements, conferences, and book tours, both domestically and internationally. However, he hated flying with the fiery passion of a thousand suns. Cars and cruises were his preferred modes of transport, which probably limited his vacation options a tad.

DEATH: Isaac Asimov passed away on April 6, 1992, in New York City, due to complications from HIV/AIDS, which he contracted from a blood transfusion during heart surgery.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Asimov's works have been adapted into films, television shows, and radio dramas, cementing his legacy in popular culture.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers (along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke)

Asimov's contributions to science fiction and popular science literature earned him numerous awards, including multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards. He was also a recipient of the prestigious Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series for his Foundation series. 

He was a member of Mensa, reflecting his intellectual prowess.

He wrote or edited more than 500 books during his lifetime.

Asimov has the honor of being the only person who has authored a book in each of the Dewey Decimal System classifications.

His work continues to inspire readers and writers around the world