Robert Caro Honored at New-York Historical Society as ‘The Power Broker’ Turns 50

Renowned historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert A. Caro was recently honored at a dinner tribute hosted by the New-York Historical Society, where portions of his archives, including material from his groundbreaking book The Power Broker, were displayed. The event marked 50 years since the publication of The Power Broker, a monumental biography of New York City planner Robert Moses.

Caro, now 88, reflected on his journey as a writer during the event, expressing how having his archives housed at the New-York Historical Society was a “dream come true.” The society has launched an exhibit dedicated to his work, including a special focus on the research and creation of The Power Broker. This Pulitzer Prize-winning book, first published in 1974, is widely regarded as essential reading for anyone interested in politics, urban planning, or the history of New York City.

Caro revealed that his original manuscript was significantly longer, with around 300,000 words cut from the final edition, including chapters on activist Jane Jacobs and displaced Bronx residents. While much of the material has been lost or remains hidden, the exhibit sheds light on Caro’s meticulous research process.

The book has since become a touchstone in American nonfiction, influencing readers including former President Barack Obama, who awarded Caro the National Humanities Medal in 2010. As Caro continues to work on the final volume of his multi-part biography of Lyndon B. Johnson, his legacy as one of America’s greatest biographers remains firmly intact.