Leon Levy Center for Biography

Established with a generous gift from the Leon Levy Foundation in 2007 as a hub for writers, scholars, students, teachers, and readers of biography, the Leon Levy Center for Biography at The Graduate Center builds connections between independent and university-affiliated biographers across disciplines and cultivates important discussions about the art and craft of biography historically and in our time.
The center sponsors a variety of events and public programs, and offers four fellowships annually to fund the research and writing of outstanding biographies and two fellowships to CUNY dissertation students writing biography.
Visit The Leon Levy Center for BiographY Website
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Upcoming Events
Latest News
Jul 25, 2023
Kai Bird on ‘Oppenheimer,’ Based on the Prize-winning Biography He Co-Authored
The Leon Levy Center director discusses what Oppenheimer’s story means for our current political moment and why biography is “the best form of history.”
- GC Stories
May 11, 2023
Biography Conference Convenes Top Writers to Mingle and Share Advice
The event this month, open to the Graduate Center community, features several Graduate Center scholars.
- GC Stories
- Faculty News
- Student News
Apr 12, 2023
The Leon Levy Center Announces 2023-2024 Biography Fellows
Five writers, including a Graduate Center alumnus, receive the distinguished fellowships.
- Press Release
- Alumni News
Dec 1, 2022
Holiday Books: 9 Illuminating Reads from Graduate Center Faculty and Alumni
These memorable books make great gifts.
- GC Stories
- Faculty News
- Alumni News
LLCB Updates
More Like ThisNY Times features Guest Essay by Kai Bird
Read "The Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer" by Kai Bird, director of the Leon Levy Center for Biography, on the NY Times website.
- Media Coverage

M.A. Program in Biography and Memoir
In Fall 2019, The Graduate Center opened a new M.A. Program in Biography and Memoir. Students in the program benefit from the intellectual life of the Leon Levy Center for Biography. Merit scholarships are available.
Learn about the M.A. program