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Legendary New Yorker Writer Calvin Tomkins Dies at 100

3/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Calvin Tomkins, a celebrated writer for The New Yorker since 1958 and known as "Tad," died at age 100.
He was recognized for his Profiles of modern artists, including Marcel Duchamp and Cindy Sherman.
His work spanned nearly seventy years, capturing the essence of creative minds.
Tomkins published The Lives of Artists, a six-volume collection inspired by Giorgio Vasari's Lives.

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Story summary

Calvin Tomkins, a celebrated writer for The New Yorker since 1958 and known as "Tad," died at age 100.
He was recognized for his Profiles of modern artists, including Marcel Duchamp and Cindy Sherman.
His work spanned nearly seventy years, capturing the essence of creative minds.
Tomkins published The Lives of Artists, a six-volume collection inspired by Giorgio Vasari's Lives.