Robert Loomis
Robert Loomis | |
---|---|
Born | Book editor | August 24, 1926
Spouse | Hilary Mills |
Children | 2 |
Robert Duane Loomis (August 24, 1926 – April 19, 2020) was an American
Many of Loomis's authors had worked with him for decades, including Maya Angelou, who wrote 31 books under his editorship, beginning with her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969).[2] His authors' loyalty to him, and his to them, was almost legendary. Loomis represented "the classic mold of the editor"[5] and according to Random House, he "embodied the ideal of an old-fashioned editor: understated, but uncanny; polite, but persistent".[2] As Angelou said, Loomis "knows what I hope to achieve in all my work. I don't know anybody as fierce, simply fierce, but he's as tender as he's tough."[4] He was well known as a mentor to editors and writers in all areas of the publishing industry.[2]
Other notable authors who have been edited by Loomis include
Loomis and author William Styron had known each other since they were both students at Duke University, where Loomis was Styron's editor at Duke's student magazine. Loomis went on to edit all of Styron's books except Lie Down in Darkness, his first novel.[4][5]
Personal life
Loomis was married to Hilary Mills, who wrote a
References
- ^ Heilpern, John (2011-11-01), "An editor and a Gentleman", Vanity Fair.
- ^ a b c d Italie, Hillel (2011-05-06). "Robert Loomis, Editor of Styron, Angelou, Retires". The Washington Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- ^ Bosman, Julie (2011-05-08), "Nurturer of Authors Is Closing the Book", The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ a b c Arnold, Martin (2001-04-12). "Making books; Familiarity Breeds Content". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ^ a b c d Smith, Dinitia (2007-01-23). "A Career in Letters, 50 Years and Counting". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
- ^ Lesley, Stahl (2004-06-09). "Morris: 'Reagan Still a Mystery'". CBS News.com. Retrieved 2007-11-13.
- ^ "Where the Written Word Reigns". Duke Magazine. 93 (3). May–June 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-11-13.
- ^ Roberts, Sam (April 20, 2020). "Robert Loomis, Old-School Editor of Big-Name Books, Dies at 93". The New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
External links
- Peter Osnos, "Great Book Editors Are Not an Endangered Species", The Atlantic, May 24, 2011.
- Dan Duray, "Bob Loomis Talks Cerf And Turf Ahead Of His Retirement", Observer, May 31, 2011.