E.L. Doctorow receives inaugural Kenyon Review Award for Literary Achievement

Celebrating one of the most distinguished careers in contemporary American letters, the Kenyon Review honored E.L. Doctorow '52 with the first Kenyon Review Award for Literary Achievement on Tuesday, November 12, in New York City at the restaurant Daniel. The Kenyon Review recognized Doctorow's work for its serious philosophical probings, its stylistic subtlety and inventiveness, and its imaginative treatment of historical figures.

The award ceremony was attended by such literary luminaries as Paris Review editor George Plimpton, essayist Roger Rosenblatt, and journalist and activist Jonathan Schell. One of the evening's highlights was a surprise video tribute made by Paul Newman '49.

Guests attending the Doctorow celebration paid $1,000 each, with proceeds going to the Review's endowment. The evening also included a live auction. The event raised more than $160,000

Matthew A. Winkler '77, chair of the Review's board of trustees and the editor-in-chief of Bloomberg News, presented the award. Bloomberg, the parent company of Bloomberg News, was the principal sponsor of the event, with special additional support from Zachys.

Doctorow is the author of Ragtime, perhaps his most popular novel. It was adapted into a film and a four-time Tony Award-winning stage musical. His other novels include The Book of Daniel, Welcome to Hard Times, Billy Bathgate, Loon Lake, The Waterworks, World's Fair, and, in 2000, City of God.

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