E. L. Doctorow

Master of historical fiction, known for placing characters in recognizable pasts.

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:
E. L. Doctorow
Role / Field:
Master of historical fiction, known for placing characters in recognizable pasts.
Born:
1931-01-06
Died:
2015-07-21
Century / Era:
1931s Historical Era
Database Source:
2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Edgar Lawrence Doctorow (January 6, 1931 – July 21, 2015) was an American novelist, editor, and professor, known for his historical fiction. He wrote three volumes of short fiction, a stage drama, and twelve novels, including the award-winning Ragtime (1975), Billy Bathgate (1989), and The March (2005). Like many of his other works, these placed fictional characters in recognizable historical contexts with known historical figures, and used various narrative styles. His stories were recognized for their originality and versatility, and Doctorow was praised for his audacity and imagination.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Several of Doctorow's novels and short stories were adapted into films, including Welcome to Hard Times (1967), starring Henry Fonda; Daniel (1983), starring Timothy Hutton; Billy Bathgate (1991), starring Dustin Hoffman; Jolene (2008), starring Jessica Chastain; and Wakefield (2016), starring Bryan Cranston. The most popular adaptations were the film Ragtime (1981) and its eponymous Broadway musical (1998), which won four Tony Awards. Doctorow received many awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award three times (for Ragtime, Billy Bathgate, and The March). He was shortlisted for the...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

  1. 1931 (1931-01-06): Birth of E. L. Doctorow — Master of historical fiction, known for placing characters in recognizable pasts.
  2. 1967: 1967 Milestone — Several of Doctorow's novels and short stories were adapted into films, including Welcome to Hard Times (1967), starring Henry Fonda; Daniel (1983), starring Timothy Hutton; Billy Bathgate (1991), starring Dustin Hoffman; Jolene (2008), starring Jessica Chastain; and Wakefield (2016), starring Bryan Cranston.
  3. 1975: 1975 Milestone — He wrote three volumes of short fiction, a stage drama, and twelve novels, including the award-winning Ragtime (1975), Billy Bathgate (1989), and The March (2005).
  4. 1981: 1981 Milestone — The most popular adaptations were the film Ragtime (1981) and its eponymous Broadway musical (1998), which won four Tony Awards.
  5. 2015 (2015-07-21): Passing & Historical Legacy — E. L. Doctorow passed away on 2015-07-21, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: E. L. Doctorow

True or False: “Edgar Lawrence Doctorow's novels were exclusively set in ancient historical periods.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he wrote about history, his works spanned various eras, including modern and 19th-century contexts.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

  • A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
  • Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Argentine activist and Nobel Peace laureate for human rights defense.
  • Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Leading Finnish painter and pioneer of national romantic art, famed for the Kalevala.
  • Adrian Frutiger — Contemporary (Died in 2015) (2015): Pioneering Swiss typeface designer, master of sans-serif aesthetics.
  • Al Arbour — Contemporary (Died in 2015) (2015): Pioneering Canadian hockey player, coach, and executive known for leading the Islanders.
  • Alan Bond — Contemporary (Died in 2015) (2015): Australian businessman known for high-profile dealings, the America's Cup, and founding Bond University.
  • A. R. Rahman — Shared historical date (01-06 · Born) (1966): Visionary Indian composer celebrated for blending global sounds with cinematic emotion.
  • Adriano Celentano — Shared historical date (01-06 · Born) (1938): Pillar of Italian music, singer-songwriter, and actor known for energetic performances.
  • A. D. Hope — Shared historical date (07-21 · Born) (1907): Australian poet and essayist celebrated for his satirical wit and academic career.
  • Abrar-ul-Haq — Shared historical date (07-21 · Born) (1968): Esteemed Pakistani singer, philanthropist, and former politician from Punjab.
  • 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
  • January 6 (01-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 6
  • 2015 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2015
  • July 21 (07-21) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 21

Frequently Asked Questions about E. L. Doctorow

Who was E. L. Doctorow and what are their primary contributions?

Master of historical fiction, known for placing characters in recognizable pasts. Origins & Early Life: Edgar Lawrence Doctorow (January 6, 1931 – July 21, 2015) was an American novelist, editor, and professor, known for his historical fiction. He wrote three volumes of short fiction, a stage drama, and twelve novels, including the award-winning Ragtime (1975), Billy Bathgate (1989), and The March (2005). Like many of his other works, these placed fictional characters in recognizable historical contexts with known historical figures, and used various narrative styles. His stories were recognized for their originality and versatility, and Doctorow was praised for his audacity and imagination.

When was E. L. Doctorow born and during which historical era did they live?

E. L. Doctorow was born on 1931-01-06 and passed away on 2015-07-21. For complete historical world events during this era, explore the 1931 Chrono-Archive.

Where can I read more verified chronological archives on E. L. Doctorow?

Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.

Source: Wikipedia