REMEMBERING BROOKLYN AUTHORS: ISAAC ASIMOV

Isaac Asimov (January 2, 1920 - April 6, 1992) remains one of the most prolific authors of the twentieth century. Dr. Asimov is widely known as a preeminent science fiction writer, having created the Foundation Series of novels and "I, Robot." In addition to devising the Three Laws of Robotics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics, Asimov published books on every topic imaginable; according to the Asimov online website, a treasure trove of information about the author, his life, and his books,
( http://www.asimovonline.com/asimov_FAQ.html#non-literary ) Asimov has published books in nearly every category of the Dewey Decimal System except philosophy(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewey_Decimal_Classification )

When the Asimov family came to the United States in 1923, they moved into their first apartment at 425 Van Siclen Avenue, in the East New York section of Brooklyn. In the summer of 1925 they moved one block away to an apartment at 434 Miller Avenue. They moved half a mile eastward in December 1928 to another apartment at 651 Essex Street, above the second candy store bought by his father. In early 1933, they moved to an apartment on Church Avenue, and after a brief stay there they moved to an apartment above yet another family candy store, at 1312 Decatur Street, in the Ridgewood section of Brooklyn. In December of 1936, Asimov's father sold his third candy store and bought his fourth, at 174 Windsor Place, (between Fuller Place and 10th Avenue), and the family moved to a house across the street. At various times, Asimov helped out in the family business.

After completing military service and his work as a chemist with the government during WW 2, he returned to the states in May, and after his discharge from the army in July, he and his wife Gertrude moved into a small apartment in Brooklyn on 213 Dean Street in September 1946. In September of 1947 they moved to the downstairs apartment of his parents' house on Windsor Place. He later lived in Manhattan, Philadelphia, and Boston.

Asimov was educated in the NYC public schools, including Boys High, and at Columbia University.

As a kid, I grew up in Windsor Terrace (17th Street between 9th & 10th avenues) and I went through a phase of writing fan letters to collect autographs. I always loved writing and admired Asimov's remarkable prolificacy. I still can recall my excitement, receiving a meticulously typed USPS postcard from the Great One that said "Thank you for your letter. Once, many years ago, I lived in your neighborhood.. .. "