Celestial Timepiece

Such a devastating loss!  I am trying to imagine our intellectual/ literary life without Bob Silvers, and it is a grim prospect.

Bob had been my dear, kind, patient, thoughtful, witty and gentlemanly editor for years since the death of Barbara Epstein, as wholly committed to editing the remarkable New York Review of Books as Barbara had been, as exacting, perceptive, and tireless.  Perhaps even more than Barbara, Bob had the inspired editor’s intuition for which books might be an ideal if unexpected match for which reviewers. He was an editor of great gifts, which may mean great generosity; an editor of genius who presents to the world a community of his particular gathering, brought together through him, given a common cause through his singular and inimitable vision.

More remembrances at The New Yorker

Photo by Annie Schlechter