Biographers International Organization
Biographers International Organization (BIO) is an international, non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization founded to promote the art and craft of biography, and to further the professional interests of its practitioners. The organization was founded in 2010 by a committee of noted biographers, led by James McGrath Morris, who served as BIO's first Executive Director. The president of BIO as of 2019 is Linda Leavell. The executive director as of 2020 is Michael Gately. Each year, the organization presents its highest award, the BIO Award, to an individual who has made notable contributions to advancing the art  and craft of biography. BIO's annual Plutarch Award is given to the best biography of the year - as judged by biographers. Mission. BIO aims to promote the art and craft of biography, cultivate a diverse community of biographers, encourage public interest in biography, and provide educational and fellowship opportunities that support the work of biographers worldwide. BIO fulfills its mission by: History. BIO was granted its corporate charter on May 26, 2010, as a 501 (c) 6. On December 27, 2019, BIO became a 501 (c) 3. BIO grew from the vision of biographer James McGrath Morris, creator and  editor of "The Biographer's Craft" newsletter. In July 2008, Morris wrote an open letter to biographers, from which a grass-roots organization of practicing and apprentice biographers began to emerge. On March 26, 2009, the first formal organizing meeting took place at the Leon Levy Center for Biography at CUNY, and a temporary 15-member founding committee was formed to function as an Interim Board of Directors. In February 2010, the Interim Board announced the formation of an Advisory Council composed of leading and noted biographers and agents. The current Advisory Council includes Debby Applegate, Taylor Branch, Robert Caro , Ron Chernow, Tim Duggan, John A. Farrell, Michael Holroyd, Peniel Joseph, Hermione Lee, Andrew Lownie, Megan Marshall, John Matteson, Jon Meacham, Marion Meade, Candice Millard, James McGrath Morris, Andrew Morton, Arnold Rampersad, Hans Renders, Stacy Schiff, Martin J. Sherwin, Gayfryd Steinberg, Will Swift, William Taubman, Terry Teachout, and Claire Tomalin. BIO convened its first conference in May 2010, at the University of Massachusetts Boston. It has since held its conference annually, at various locations in the United States, including Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles. Awards. Each year, BIO presents several awards to honor biographers, editors, librarians and  archivists, and their work. Publications. "The Biographer's Craft" is a monthly online newsletter that active BIO members receive as part of their membership. "TBC" features original, non-fiction articles of general interest to biographers, writers, and readers of biography. Regular features include interviews with notable biographers, and a listing of biographies sold to publishers, as well as biographies published each month. BIO also publishes a quarterly online newsletter that promotes biography and the organization to members of the publishing community. The current editor of "The Biographer's Craft" is Michael Burgan. Leadership. At the first conference in Boston on  May 15, 2010, Nigel Hamilton was chosen to assume the presidency, succeeding Debby Applegate, who had served as interim president. Charles J. Shields was elected vice president, and eleven others were selected to serve one- to two-year terms on the board. In its first actions, the board selected James McGrath Morris to serve as executive director. Since 2010, BIO's president and vice president have been elected biennially by BIO members. Its Board of Directors are broken into two groups, each of which are also elected biennially. The current Board is composed of 15 members, including the president and  vice president. Membership. BIO offers varying levels of membership, depending on a member's professional status. BIO is open to professional, amateur, and aspiring biographers and documentarians around the world, and also permits membership for readers of biography, students and corporations.