History & Biography

Our History & Biography speakers are distinguished for examining some of the world’s most recognizable eras and figures. They are experts on political movements, the lives of historical legends and contemporary personas, and are sought-after speakers at events ranging from landmark anniversaries to niche interest groups and historical societies.

Jim Abbott

Former Major League Pitcher, Olympic Gold Medalist and motivational speaker

Laurence Bergreen

Award-Winning Biographer and Historian

Roy Blount, Jr.

Author of Long Time Leaving, Humorist and Sportswriter

Rick Bragg

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Memoirist

Thomas Cahill

New York Times Bestselling Historian and Lifelong Scholar

Robert A. Caro

Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer

Lynne Cox

Modern-day adventurer, long-distance swimmer and bestselling author

Neal Gabler

Cultural Critic and Two-Time Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize

Philip B. Kunhardt III

Biographer, Presidential Historian and Filmmaker

Pico Iyer

Travel Writer, Essayist and Novelist

Carlotta Walls LaNier

Youngest of the Little Rock Nine, Civil Rights Advocate

Erik Larson

New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning The Devil in the White City

Leonard Marcus

Renowned Author and Children's Book Expert

Robert K. Massie

Internationally renowned historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer

Brad Matsen

Author of Jacques Cousteau: The Sea King and New York Times Bestseller Titanic's Last Secrets

Paula McLain

Novelist, Poet and Book Club Favorite

Simon Sebag Montefiore

Noted historian and international bestselling author of Jerusalem and Young Stalin

Edmund Morris

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Presidential Biographer

Thomas Mullen

Winner of the James Fenimore Cooper Prize and celebrated historical novelist

Josh Neufeld

Award-winning comics journalist and author of A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge

John Richardson

Picasso Expert and Author of the Life of Picasso Series

Jeff Shaara

New York Times bestselling author of historical and military fiction

T.J. Stiles

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Biographer, American Historian and Author of The First Tycoon

Gay Talese

Ground-Breaking Journalist and Renowned Writer

David Thomson

Esteemed Writer, Film Historian and Critic

Tim Weiner

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of the National Book Award-winning Legacy of Ashes

Isabel Wilkerson

Pulitzer Prize Winner and author of the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Warmth of Other Suns

Alan Wolfe

Author of The Future of Liberalism

Lawrence Wright

Author of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning The Looming Tower, Screenwriter and New Yorker Journalist