Biographers International Organization

Whether doing their own research, using the perspective of those close to their subjects, relying on existing print biographies, or combining elements of all three, biographical filmmakers can take a variety of tacks as they craft cinematic portraits of a person’s life. Their biggest decision, of course, is whether to go the documentary route or create a biopic, with the potential interest in the subject—and available funding—influencing the choice. While the Hollywood treatment of a… Read More »

By Billy Tooma The Black Eagle of Harlem is a study in biography and forgotten history. Col. Hubert Fauntleroy Julian—aviator, soldier of fortune, and arms dealer—led a life of high adventure, finding himself at the center and periphery of major world events. Julian drew headlines wherever he went, generated a fair share of controversy, but most importantly he fought against racial attitudes and shattered countless stereotypes. He flew before Charles Lindbergh, traveled to Ethiopia before… Read More »

Whether doing their own research, using the perspective of those close to their subjects, relying on existing print biographies, or combining elements of all three, biographical filmmakers can take a variety of tacks as they craft cinematic portraits of a person’s life. Their biggest decision, of course, is whether to go the documentary route or create a biopic, with the potential interest in the subject—and available funding—influencing the choice. While the Hollywood treatment of a… Read More »

Here are the finalists for the 2017 Plutarch Award, honoring the best biography published in 2016, listed in alphabetical order by title. The winner will be announced on May 20 at the Eighth Annual BIO Conference at Emerson College in Boston. BIO PLUTARCH AWARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS, 2017: Cathy Curtis Deirdre David John Farrell (Chair) Anne C. Heller Linda Leavell John Matteson Hans Renders David O. Stewart Will Swift Amanda Vaill… Read More »

Ruth Franklin won the 2017 Plutarch Award for Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life. Members of Biographers International Organization selected the winning book, which was announced at the Eighth Annual BIO Conference on May 20 at Emerson College in Boston. The Shirley Jackson bio had previously won several other honors, most notably the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography. Offering her thanks for the award, Franklin said, “It’s really humbling to receive… Read More »

By James McGrath Morris This year the Pulitzer Prize for “a distinguished and appropriately documented biography or autobiography by an American author” was awarded to an author who wrote neither a biography nor an autobiography. In fact, neither did the two finalists in this category. The prizewinner and the finalists all wrote memoirs. The prize was awarded to The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between by Hisham Matar. The two finalists were In … Read More »

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BIO Board member Cathy Curtis asked Candice Millard, winner of the 2017 BIO Award, to respond to a list of questions about her experiences as a biographer. Her thoughtful emailed replies appear below. You won’t want to miss Millard’s keynote speech at this year’s BIO Conference, on May 20 in Boston. Cathy Curtis: What prompted you to start writing biographies? Candice Millard: I have always been interested in biography. In fact, one of… Read More »