E. L. Doctorow

Edgar Lawrence Doctorow (born January 6, 1931, New York, New York) is the author of several critically acclaimed novels that blend history and social criticism. Currently, he holds the Glucksman Chair in American Letters at New York University.

Related Topics:
January 6 - 1931 - New York, New York - Novel - History - Social criticism - New York University

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Doctorow was raised in Bronx, New York, by second-generation parents of Russian descent. At Bronx High School of Science, he excelled in art making and voraciously read. He continued his education at Kenyon College where he studied with John Crowe Ransom. After graduating in 1952, he was drafted into the army and assigned to Germany. He began his career as a reader at Columbia Pictures, moved on to become an editor for New American Library in the early 1960s and worked as chief editor at Dial Press from 1964 to 1969. Although he had written books for years, until the publication of The Book of Daniel in 1971 he obtained notoriety. His next book, Ragtime was a superb commercial and critical success.

Related Topics:
Bronx - New York - Russian - Kenyon College - John Crowe Ransom - Army - Germany - Columbia Pictures - New American Library - 1960s - Dial Press - The Book of Daniel - Ragtime

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Known for being politically outspoken, critics assailed him for delivering a commencement address critical of President George W. Bush at Hofstra University on May 23, 2004.

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George W. Bush - Hofstra University

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