24 moments

1. Birth in Petrovichi

   1920-01-01 · Petrovichi, Russian SFSR (now Smolensk Oblast, Russia)

   

   Asimov was born in the village of Petrovichi, then in the Russian SFSR. The precise birth date is uncertain; he customarily celebrated January 2, 1920. The year 1920 follows Asimov's customary birthday; the source explicitly allows a birth date as early as 1919-10-04.

2. Immigration arrival in the United States

   1923-02-03 · New York City, New York, United States

   

   Asimov arrived in the United States with his family after the RMS Baltic voyage via Liverpool, beginning the American portion of his life. The cited text gives arrival in the United States but does not name a specific port; coordinates represent New York City.

3. Boys High School literary-journal publication

   1934-01-01 · Boys High School, Brooklyn, New York, United States

   

   While a student at Boys High School, Asimov had his first published work appear in the school's literary journal.

4. Student at Seth Low Junior College

   1935-01-01 · Seth Low Junior College, 375 Pearl Street, Brooklyn, New York, United States

   

   Asimov studied at Columbia University's Seth Low Junior College before transferring to Columbia's Morningside Heights campus. The card date marks the beginning of his documented 1935-1936 attendance.

5. First visit to Astounding's publisher

   1938-05-17 · Street & Smith Publications, New York City, New York, United States

   

   Asimov visited Street & Smith Publications to investigate a changed Astounding Science Fiction schedule; the visit prompted him to complete and submit a story to editor John W. Campbell. The source identifies the publisher but not its street address; coordinates represent New York City.

6. Bachelor's degree at Columbia

   1939-01-01 · Columbia University, Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York, United States

   

   After Seth Low closed, Asimov completed his chemistry bachelor's degree at Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus.

7. Attendance at the first World Science Fiction Convention

   1939-07-01 · Caravan Hall, New York City, New York, United States

   

   Asimov attended NyCon I, the first World Science Fiction Convention, a formative gathering for early organized science-fiction fandom. The source does not provide Caravan Hall's street address; coordinates represent New York City.

8. Master's degree at Columbia

   1941-01-01 · Columbia University, Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York, United States

   

   Asimov completed his Master of Arts degree in chemistry while enrolled in Columbia University's graduate chemistry program.

9. Civilian chemist at the Philadelphia Navy Yard

   1942-01-01 · Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

   

   During World War II, Asimov worked as a civilian chemist at the Naval Air Experimental Station of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The card date marks the start of the documented 1942-1945 employment period.

10. Return journey from Oʻahu

    1946-01-01 · Oʻahu, Territory of Hawaii, United States

    

    Asimov was physically present on Oʻahu during his Army service period and flew home from the island, one of only two flights he ever took. The source supports presence on Oʻahu in 1946 but gives no more precise date or location on the island.

11. Residence in Brooklyn after Army service

    1946-07-01 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

    

    After his discharge from the Army, Asimov and Gertrude Blugerman lived in Brooklyn until moving to Stuyvesant Town in July 1948. The card date marks the beginning of a residence lasting from 1946-07 to 1948-07.

12. Residence at Stuyvesant Town

    1948-07-01 · Stuyvesant Town, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

    

    Asimov moved with Gertrude Blugerman to Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan before their subsequent move to Massachusetts.

13. Move to Boston

    1949-05-01 · Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    

    Asimov moved to Boston in the year he began work as an instructor of biochemistry at Boston University. The quoted sentences document both the move to Boston and the start of his Boston University employment in 1949.

14. Residence in Somerville

    1949-07-01 · Somerville, Massachusetts, United States

    

    Soon after relocating to Boston, Asimov and his family moved to nearby Somerville.

15. Residence in Waltham

    1951-05-01 · Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

    

    Asimov and his family moved from Somerville to Waltham during his Boston University years.

16. Guest of honor at Clevention

    1955-09-01 · Manger Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio, United States

    

    Asimov was the professional guest of honor at the 13th World Science Fiction Convention, known as Clevention.

17. Residence in West Newton

    1956-01-01 · West Newton, Newton, Massachusetts, United States

    

    Asimov and his family made their final Massachusetts residential move to West Newton, where he continued his academic and writing career.

18. Toastmaster at Tricon

    1966-09-01 · Sheraton-Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, United States

    

    Asimov served as toastmaster at the 24th World Science Fiction Convention, where the Foundation series received the Best All-Time Series Hugo Award. Coordinates represent central Cleveland; the historic Sheraton-Cleveland building address is not specified in the source.

19. Return to Manhattan's Upper West Side

    1970-01-01 · Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

    

    After separating from Gertrude Blugerman, Asimov returned to New York and lived on Manhattan's Upper West Side for the rest of his life. Coordinates represent the Upper West Side rather than an identified residence.

20. Visit to Shakespeare's birthplace

    1974-06-01 · Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, England, United Kingdom

    

    During his June 1974 England trip, Asimov visited Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. Only the month is supported.

21. Visit to Stonehenge

    1974-06-01 · Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

    

    On his June 1974 lecture trip to England, Asimov visited Stonehenge. Only the month is supported.

22. First visit to Britain: Birmingham lecture and signings

    1974-06-13 · Holiday Inn, Suffolk Street, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

    

    During his first trip to Britain, Asimov appeared at book-signing sessions in Birmingham and gave a public lecture for the Birmingham Science Fiction Group. The source is a contemporaneous attendee's later recollection and itinerary; coordinates identify the cited Holiday Inn venue area.

23. Triple-bypass surgery at NYU Lutheran Medical Center

    1983-12-01 · NYU Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

    

    Asimov underwent triple-bypass surgery at NYU Lutheran Medical Center, an operation during which he contracted HIV from a blood transfusion.

24. Death in Manhattan

    1992-04-06 · Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

    

    Asimov died in Manhattan at age 72 after heart and kidney failure; he was cremated. The source gives Manhattan but not a specific death location; coordinates represent Manhattan.