Isaac Asimov's first visit to Britain
June 1974
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[For the 50th anniversary of this visit in June 2024, I wrote a blog post containing further recollections of the occasion as well as two more pictures. Here's the link: Isaac Asimov in Britain, June 1974.]
Isaac Asimov, probably the most famous of all the Astounding authors, visited Britain
in June 1974. Your webmaster remembers the date well, because I was sitting my GCE O-level examinations
at the time! The Good Doctor came to my home town of Birmingham on Thursday 13th June, when I had a Chemistry paper
in the morning but fortunately had the afternoon free. I saw the great man first in Hudson's bookshop
and then in Roger Peyton's Andromeda shop (where I secured a number of autographs), and then in the evening
I attended a memorable public lecture by Asimov at the Holiday Inn (hosted by Dr Jack Cohen, who has
gone on to a moderate degree of fame as an author in his own right).
The full itinerary for Asimov's historic visit is given below. |
Wednesday 5th June
Arrive Southampton on the SS "France".
Monday 10th June
11.00 for 11.30 am: Press Conference aboard the "Old Caledonia", Waterloo Pier, Victoria Embankment, London WC2. By invitation only.
2.00-5.00 pm: Press and Radio interviews.
8.30 pm: Reception to install Dr Asimov as an Honorary Vice President of International Mensa. For Mensa members and their guests.
Tuesday 11th June
1.00 pm: Lunch-time Lecture to students of the Science Faculty, in the Lecture Theatre, King's College, University of London, Strand, London WC2.
2.30 pm: Press and Television interviews.
6.00 pm: Private Reception at Doubleday's, 1 00 Wigmore Street, London W1. By invitation only.
11.30 pm -12.30 am: Guest on Capitol Radio's phone-in programme "Sarah and Friends".
Wednesday l2th June
2.00-3.00 pm: Public Book Signing Session at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, London WC2
3.00-5.00 pm: Visits to main London bookshops.
6.30-8.30 pm: Book Trade Reception by Granada Publishing (Panther Paperbacks) at 36 Golden Square, London W1. By invitation only.
9.00-11.00 pm: Guest of Honour at the last SF meeting at the "Globe", Hatton Garden, London EC1. All sci-fi fans welcome.
Thursday 13th June
2.00-5.00 pm: Birmingham Book Signing Sessions - (2.00-2.45 pm) W.H. Smith & Son, 29 Union Street, Birmingham 2; (2.45-3.30 pm) Hudson's Bookshop, Lower Temple Street, Birmingham 2; (3.30-4.00 pm) Midland Educational Bookshop, Corporation Street, Birmingham 2; (4.00-5.00 pm) Andromeda Bookshop, 57 Summer Row, Birmingham 3.
8.00 pm: Public Lecture to the Birmingham Science Fiction Group at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Suffolk Street, Birmingham.
Friday 14th June
2.00-6.00 pm: Recording of BBC-1 "Parkinson" TV show.
8.00 pm: Public Lecture organised jointly by British Mensa and the Science Fiction Foundation at the Commonwealth Hall, Craven Street, London WC2.
Sunday l6th June
Departure at midday on the"QE2".
