Isaac Asimov's Future History series of novels runs from the 1980s to (if I've worked it out right) 25621AD. Primarily follows the implications for human history of the actions of one man (Elijah Bailey), the 'life' of a robot (Daneel Olivaw) and the development of Psychohistory. On a grander note it describes several waves of human colonization of the galaxy the rise and fall of a Galactic Empire and the struggle to prevent a great dark age. The Saga is split into the following series:

Robots and Earth

Empire's Rise

Foundations

A timeline of the series can be found here.