The novelist and playwright E.L. Doctorow has died aged 84 in New York. He’d been suffering from lung cancer.<br /><br /> In a 50-year career he published 10 novels including the critically acclaimed Ragtime and Billy Bathgate, along with a play and numerous essays.<br /><br /> He was known for works in which he placed fictional characters in recognisable historical contexts.<br /><br /> Honoring author E.L. Doctorow, who died today at 84 with my favorite quote. #writing pic.twitter.com/imGHe3SS4a— Mark David Gerson (@MarkDavidGerson) July 22, 2015<br /><br /> Several of Doctorow’s novels including Ragtime and Billy Bathgate were turned into films. Ragtime was also made into a Broadway musical in 1998.<br /><br /> US President Barack Obama described him as “one of America’s greatest novelists”. <br /><br /> E.L. Doctorow was one of America’s greatest novelists. His books taught me much, and he will be missed.— President Obama (@POTUS) July 22, 2015
