Author. Poet. Philosopher. Socialite. There seemed to be nothing that Tom Wolfe couldn't turn his hand to successfully, and his influence on the New York nightlife scene of the 1960s and 70s can't be overstated. He was truly something of a pioneer. In fact, Wolfe is heralded as the inventor of 'New Journalism'. He helped usher journalism away from the dry, somber reporting style of the past and wrote it as if it was fiction. He told the stories of the people he wrote about instead of merely presenting the facts. In a way, he invented the tabloid.
Wolfe's love of fiction eventually led him to walk away from a very successful journalism career to become a fiction writer full time. The move worked out, with successful titles like 'The Bonfire of the Vanities'. He wasn't born a New Yorker, but he moved there in 1962, and remained there until his death at the age of 88.