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Asimov's parents emigrated from Russia to the US with him in 1923. Through the twenties and thirties they operated a succession of candy stores in Brooklyn, New York, NY; Asimov joined in as soon as he was old enough and retained the habit of long working hours for his entire life. He also discovered science fiction through the magazines sold at the store; he rapidly became a fan. His first SF story was published in 1939 and with the help of editor John W. Campbell Jr. he soon became one of the leading SF writers. Meanwhile he was also excelling in school, though experiencing some difficulties due to prejudice against Jews and to his own social ineptness. After a WW2 hiatus (he was a civilian chemical researcher during the war, but was drafted just after it), he resumed his studies and in 1948 received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Columbia University. He then joined the faculty of Boston University and rose to Associate Professor. In 1958 he became a full-time writer, but retained the title (and was promoted to Professor in 1979). His writing emphasis changed to non-fiction, mostly about science, which he produced with great speed. He returned to New York in 1970 and lived in Manhattan thereafter, continuing to write prolifically and on an increasingly wide range of subjects until his final illness in 1990-92.