Robert Caro reflects on childhood as he receives New York Historical’s Historians’ Laureate Medal

NEW YORK AP Receiving an award from one of Manhattan s oldest cultural institutions The New York Historical had Robert Caro thinking about childhood It New York Historical has been a very integral element of my life since I was a little boy Caro commented Wednesday night during his brief remarks as he accepted the first-ever Historians Laureate Medal in the organization s year-old existence A native New Yorker who grew up near what was then called the New-York Historical Society and still lives just blocks away Caro remembered countless visits growing up as he walked around the neighborhood with a favorite aunt Among the various honors I ve been lucky enough to receive this is an award that is very special added Caro whose awards range from the Pulitzer Prize for his epic biography of municipal builder Robert Moses The Power Broker to a National Book Award for the third volume of his celebrated Lyndon Johnson series Master of the Senate And in a way as I stand here before you tonight I have this wonderful feeling that my life has come full circle in a wonderful circle he declared speaking to hundreds gathered for The New York Historical s History Makers Gala Caro who turns next month and is still working on the long-awaited fifth Johnson book has for years been the unofficial laureate of The New York Historical His career is the subject of a permanent exhibition his archives are stored there and a research room is named for him He was introduced at the ceremony by a close friend singer Judy Collins who cited Caro s musical approach to his writing his attention to rhythm and mood That is why particular have reported his books read like great novels and I would say they read like great music she commented Also on Wednesday The New York Historical presented its History Makers Award to the Venezuelan-born conductor Gustavo Dudamel who next year becomes the musical and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic after leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic since Last week he opened the New York Philharmonic s fall season Dudamel interviewed on stage by the philanthropist-businessman David M Rubenstein explained he looked upon moving to New York as an opportunity to open this new chapter and that he had a feeling of connection to the New York orchestra When Rubenstein noted that Dudamel s predecessors at the New York Philharmonic included Gustav Mahler Arturo Toscanini and Leonard Bernstein the -year-old Dudamel acknowledged feeling a little intimidated My God every time that I work there and I m in the dressing room and I see all of these faces of his predecessors I say What am I doing here Source