# E. L. Doctorow

> novelist, editor, professor (1931-2015)

**Wikidata**: [Q335232](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q335232)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._L._Doctorow)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/e-l-doctorow

## Summary
E. L. Doctorow (1931–2015) was an American novelist, editor, and professor celebrated for his contributions to American literature. His works, including *Ragtime* (1975), *Billy Bathgate* (1989), and *The March* (2005), are renowned for their historical depth, narrative innovation, and exploration of American identity.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 6, 1931, in New York City, United States
- **Nationality**: American
- **Education**:
  - Kenyon College (BA, 1952)
  - Columbia University (MA, 1954)
- **Known for**: Writing historically rich novels that blend fiction with real events, redefining American literary storytelling
- **Employer(s)**:
  - New Rochelle High School (teacher)
  - The New American Library (editor)
  - Sarah Lawrence College (professor)
  - New York University (professor)
- **Field(s)**: Literature, creative writing, American studies

## Contributions
E. L. Doctorow authored numerous influential novels and essays, including:
- *Ragtime* (1975): A novel blending historical figures with fictional characters, exploring early 20th-century America.
- *Billy Bathgate* (1989): A coming-of-age story set in the gangster era, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award.
- *The March* (2005): A novel depicting General Sherman’s Civil War campaign, winning the PEN/Faulkner Award.
- *The Book of Daniel* (1971): A fictionalized account of the Rosenberg case, critiquing Cold War America.
- *World’s Fair* (1985): A semi-autobiographical novel capturing 1930s New York, winning the National Book Award.

His works are noted for their historical accuracy, narrative experimentation, and social commentary.

## FAQs
**What is E. L. Doctorow best known for?**
E. L. Doctorow is best known for his novel *Ragtime* (1975), which blends historical figures like Harry Houdini and J.P. Morgan with fictional characters to explore themes of race, class, and American identity.

**Where did E. L. Doctorow study?**
Doctorow earned his BA from Kenyon College (1952) and his MA from Columbia University (1954), where he studied under literary figures like Lionel Trilling.

**What awards did E. L. Doctorow receive?**
He received the National Book Award (*World’s Fair*, 1985), the PEN/Faulkner Award (*The March*, 2005), the National Humanities Medal (1998), and a Guggenheim Fellowship (1969).

**What themes did Doctorow explore in his writing?**
His works often examine American history, identity, and social justice, using fictional narratives to reinterpret real events like the Civil War (*The March*) and the Rosenberg executions (*The Book of Daniel*).

**Did Doctorow teach or hold academic positions?**
Yes, he taught at Sarah Lawrence College and New York University, influencing generations of writers.

## Why They Matter
E. L. Doctorow redefined historical fiction by seamlessly integrating real events with imaginative storytelling, influencing contemporary literature. His works challenge readers to reconsider American history through diverse perspectives, bridging the gap between past and present. Without his contributions, modern historical fiction might lack its current depth and narrative ambition.

## Notable For
- Authoring *Ragtime* (1975), a landmark in American literature
- Winning the National Book Award (*World’s Fair*, 1985)
- Receiving the PEN/Faulkner Award (*The March*, 2005)
- Being awarded the National Humanities Medal (1998)
- Teaching at prestigious institutions like NYU and Sarah Lawrence College
- Blending historical figures with fictional narratives in novels like *Billy Bathgate*
- Influencing contemporary writers with his experimental storytelling techniques

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Edgar Lawrence Doctorow was born on January 6, 1931, in New York City to second-generation Russian Jewish immigrants. He grew up in the Bronx and attended the Bronx High School of Science. He earned his BA from Kenyon College in 1952, where he studied under poet John Crowe Ransom, and later completed his MA at Columbia University in 1954.

### Literary Career
Doctorow began his career as a script reader for Columbia Pictures and later worked as an editor at The New American Library. His debut novel, *Welcome to Hard Times* (1960), set the tone for his exploration of American myths and history. His breakthrough came with *The Book of Daniel* (1971), a fictionalized retelling of the Rosenberg case, which established his reputation as a bold, politically engaged writer.

### Major Works
- *Ragtime* (1975): His most famous novel, blending historical figures like Emma Goldman and Henry Ford with fictional characters to critique early 20th-century America.
- *Billy Bathgate* (1989): A novel about a young boy’s involvement with Dutch Schultz’s gang, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award.
- *The March* (2005): A novel following General Sherman’s Civil War campaign, winning the PEN/Faulkner Award.
- *World’s Fair* (1985): A semi-autobiographical novel about a boy’s experiences at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, winning the National Book Award.

### Teaching and Influence
Doctorow taught creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College and New York University, mentoring future writers. His innovative approach to historical fiction influenced authors like Don DeLillo and Philip Roth.

### Awards and Recognition
- National Book Award (*World’s Fair*, 1985)
- PEN/Faulkner Award (*The March*, 2005)
- National Humanities Medal (1998)
- Guggenheim Fellowship (1969)
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

### Legacy
Doctorow’s work is celebrated for its historical depth, narrative experimentation, and social critique. His novels remain widely read and studied, cementing his place as a central figure in American literature. He died on July 21, 2015, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of literary innovation.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Find a Grave
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25038339)
5. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/front-row/american-authors/)
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. [The Waterworks : E. L. Doctorow's Gnostic Detective Story](http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/tsl/summary/v045/45.4diemert.html)
8. [No new trial for Drabinsky, Gottlieb](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/no-new-trial-for-drabinsky-gottlieb/article2164011/)
9. The Fine Art Archive
10. [Celebrity Icons](http://chronita.com/celebrity_icons/D/)
11. [Review of E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime](http://brothersjudd.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/reviews.detail/book_id/953)
12. [Review of E.L. Doctorow's Welcome to Hard Times](http://brothersjudd.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/reviews.detail/book_id/567)
13. NNDB
14. [Featured Author: E. L. Doctorow. The New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/03/05/specials/doctorow.html)
15. [Bookcritics Awards 2005](https://www.bookcritics.org/past-awards/2005/)
16. [Bookcritics Awards 1975](https://www.bookcritics.org/past-awards/1975/)
17. [Bookcritics Awards 1989](https://www.bookcritics.org/past-awards/1989/)
18. International Standard Name Identifier
19. Virtual International Authority File
20. CiNii Research
21. MusicBrainz
22. [Guide to the E. L. Doctorow Papers 1931-2015 MSS 056](http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/fales/doctorow/admininfo.html)
23. [Merkedager : fødselsdager, stiftelsesdatoer, begivenheter](http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008060900023#5)
24. IMDb
25. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/lists/496/000063307/)
26. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
27. SNAC
28. Internet Broadway Database
29. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
30. Babelio
31. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
32. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
33. Proleksis Encyclopedia
34. Munzinger Personen
35. [Source](http://aoib.dk/ritzau/prisvindende-forfatter-med-eksperimenterende-pen-er-dod)
36. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
37. [Source](https://nebulas.sfwa.org/nominees/e-l-doctorow/)
38. [Source](https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/authors/e-l-doctorow)
39. CONOR.SI
40. Autoritats UB
41. Goodreads
42. LIBRIS. 2012
43. E. L. Doctorow | LibraryThing. LibraryThing
44. The Movie Database