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:
hosting the annual BIO Conference which presents inspiring speakers, opportunities for networking, and instruction about researching, writing, publishing, and marketing biographical work hosting additional in-person and online events that encourage biographers to learn from and engage with one another publishing a monthly members' newsletter, The Biographer's Craft, which includes news, in-depth features, and advice pertaining to biography supporting aspiring and practicing biographers with prizes and fellowships honoring outstanding biographers, editors, and librarians with awards offering a coaching program in which members receive personalized advice from experienced biographers publishing a quarterly newsletter to inform the media and publishing world about BIO's activities and general news related to biography
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.