The Westport Library announced today that its BOOKED for the Evening honoree this year is Ron Chernow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of “Alexander Hamilton,” the inspiration for the Broadway hit “Hamilton.”
Ron Chernow: to be honored May 26. Contributed photo
Chernow, 67, will be honored at the gala event, the library’s main fundraiser, on Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m.
The announcement came on the same day that it was announced that the Broadway musical “Hamilton” had won a Pulitzer Prize in best drama category.
Chernow won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for biography and the 2011 American History Book Prize for his book, “Washington: A Life.” He published “Alexander Hamilton” in 2004.
He has written bestselling and award-winning biographies of historical figures from the world of business, finance, and American politics.
No stranger to Westport, Chernow is a cousin of the late Westport artist Burt Chernow. He has made several visits to Westport in recent years to visit Burt Chernow’s wife, Ann.
He joins an illustrious line of previous awardees. Last year’s honoree was Westport prize-winning phorographer Lynsey Addario. The year before it was Westporter Nile Rodgers, Grammy Award-winning musician, composer, arranger, producer, philanthropist, and writer.
Other past recipients have included Tom Brokaw, E.L. Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Arthur Mitchell, Oscar Hijuelos, Adam Gopnik, Barry Levinson, Patti Smith, and Jon Meacham.
The BOOKED for the Evening Gala is the Westport Library’s signature fundraising event. All proceeds benefit the programs and services of the Westport Library.
