ranking item image

Isaac Asimov

Person

About

Isaac Asimov was a renowned American author and professor, best known for his contributions to science fiction, particularly the "Foundation" series. Born on January 2, 1920, in Petrovichi, Russia, Asimov immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of three. He developed a passion for science fiction early in life, influenced by the magazines sold at his family's general store. Asimov graduated from Columbia University with a degree in chemistry in 1939 and later earned his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1948. His writing career began with the publication of his first short story, "Marooned Off Vesta," in 1939. Asimov's prolific output included over 500 books across various genres, including science fiction, mysteries, and nonfiction. He is celebrated for introducing terms like "robotics" and "psychohistory" into the English language. His "Foundation" series, which won the Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966, remains a seminal work in science fiction. Asimov also wrote the "Robot" series, featuring the Three Laws of Robotics. He was a professor of biochemistry at Boston University and served as president of the American Humanist Association. Asimov passed away on April 6, 1992, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential science fiction writers of his time.