E. L. Doctorow

E. L. Doctorow (Edgar Lawrence Doctorow) was an American novelist and editor, born in 1931 and died in 2015. He grew up in New York City and studied at Kenyon College and Columbia University. Doctorow worked in publishing before turning to fiction, and he became known for novels that blend historical settings with imaginative storytelling. His breakthrough book *Ragtime* (1975) helped establish his reputation, and later works included *Billy Bathgate* (1989). Over his career he also wrote essays and taught writing. Doctorow’s work is noted for its engagement with American history, politics, and the shaping of public memory.