Isaac Asimov is popular for his science fiction books, such as the Foundation and Robot series. But he also wrote hundreds of mysteries, short stories, science guides, essays, and even a book on humor. Asimov even worked as a consultant on Star Trek. But how many books did Asimov write in his lifetime?
Isaac Asimov authored over 500 books. In 1950, he released his debut novel, and he died in 1992. In a span of 42 years, he was able to write an average of one book every month.
Who is Isaac Asimov?
Isaac Asimov was a biochemistry professor at Boston University and an American writer. Along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke, Asimov was regarded as one of the Big Three science fiction writers throughout his lifetime.
He was a prolific writer, having written or edited over 500 books. He also wrote almost 90,000 letters and postcards, according to estimates. Asimov is best recognized for his hard science fiction, but he also authored mysteries, fantasy, and nonfiction.
The Foundation series is his most well-known work. In 1966, the first three books in the series won the Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series.
The Galactic Empire and the Robot series are two of his other notable works. The Galactic Empire novels are set in the same imaginary universe as the Foundation series but in a much older period. He then linked this far future to the Robot stories in Foundation and Earth, establishing a cohesive future history for his writings.
Asimov also published over 380 short stories, including the social science fiction novelette Nightfall, which the Science Fiction Writers of America named the Best Short Science Fiction Story of All Time in 1964. Under the pen name Paul French, Asimov wrote the Lucky Starr series of juvenile science-fiction novels.
Most of his popular scientific works take a historical approach to explaining issues, reaching back as far as possible to when the science in question was at its most basic. Guide to Science, the three-volume series Understanding Physics, and Asimov’s Chronology of Science and Discovery are just a few examples. He also wrote about chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, history, biblical exegesis, and literary criticism, among other scientific and non-scientific subjects.
He was the president of the American Humanist Association. The Asteroid Asimov, A crater on Mars, a Brooklyn elementary school, Honda’s humanoid robot, ASIMO, and four literary awards have all been named after him. (Source: Biblio)
Isaac Asimov’s Illness and Death
Asimov suffered a heart attack in 1977. He had triple bypass surgery at NYU Medical Center in December 1983, during which he caught HIV from a blood transfusion. His HIV status was kept hidden for fear of anti-AIDS prejudice spreading to his family.
He died on April 6, 1992, in Manhattan and was cremated. Heart and kidney failure was listed as the causes of death. Janet Asimov, his widow, agreed that ten years after her husband’s death that the HIV narrative should be told. She did so in her copy of his autobiography, It’s Been a Good Life. (Source: Biblio)