Robert Gottlieb, a renowned literary editor, passed away on August 14, 2022, at the age of 92. He was known for his collaborations with some of the most celebrated authors of our time, including Toni Morrison and Robert Caro.
Gottlieb was born in New York City in 1931 and attended Columbia University, where he studied English literature. He began his career in publishing at Simon & Schuster in 1955, where he worked as an editor for ten years before moving to Knopf.
At Knopf, Gottlieb became known for his meticulous editing style and his ability to work closely with authors to bring out the best in their writing. He worked with a wide range of writers, from literary giants like John Cheever and Joseph Heller to popular authors like Nora Ephron and Michael Crichton.
One of Gottlieb’s most notable collaborations was with Toni Morrison, whom he worked with on several of her most acclaimed novels, including “Beloved” and “Song of Solomon.” Morrison once said of Gottlieb, “He’s the best editor in the world. He understands what I’m trying to do and helps me do it better.”
Gottlieb also worked closely with Robert Caro on his monumental biography of Lyndon B. Johnson. The two men worked together for more than 40 years, with Gottlieb providing invaluable guidance and support throughout the writing process.
In addition to his work as an editor, Gottlieb was also a prolific writer. He wrote several books, including a memoir about his time at Knopf called “Avid Reader” and a biography of Sarah Bernhardt.
Gottlieb’s contributions to the world of literature were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1990 and received a lifetime achievement award from the National Book Critics Circle in 2015.
Gottlieb’s passing is a great loss to the literary community. His legacy as an editor and writer will continue to inspire and influence generations of readers and writers to come.
