Blog Posts by Subject: Biography

If you are feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, read the story of someone else who has been there.

Alicia Perez, Communications Pre-Professional at the Schomburg Center, reflects on the lasting influence of activist Paul Robeson on his birthday.

Today’s episode features a letter from Jamaican-American Harlem renaissance era poet and writer Claude McKay to NAACP leader and civil rights activist, Walter White.

Live from the Reading Room: Correspondence is a podcast series that aims to share interesting and engaging letters written by or to key historical figures from the African Diaspora.

PIC is a collection of biographical data for over 115,000 photographers, studios, manufacturers, dealers, and others involved in the production of photographs.

Today’s episode features a note from Harlem Renaissance writer Nella Larsen to an unidentified friend—“Eddie”—regarding a social gathering preceding the wedding of Yolande Du Bois and Countee Cullen.

March is Women’s History Month! Here are some databases that can help with your assignments and projects:

Today’s episode features a love letter from Trinidadian social theorist, historian and political activist C.L.R. James (1901-1989) to his wife and confidant the actress, model, writer and activist Constance Webb (1918-2005).

A love letter from musician and composer Nathan Woodard to his wife and creative collaborator Alice Childress.

Today’s episode features a memorable love note from leading Harlem Renaissance painter, illustrator, and graphic artist Aaron Douglas to his wife and life partner Alta Sawyer Douglas, an esteemed educator and Harlemite.

Today’s letter features correspondence between Arturo Alfonso Schomburg and Langston Hughes. In the excerpt below, Schomburg speaks with Hughes regarding acquisitions for The Division of Negro Literature, History and Prints—the forerunner to today’s Schomburg Center.

A musical heritage of the Jewish community...uncovering psychological tricks of a hustler...racial inequality and a call to action...revisiting Folk City, New York...Woody Allen—a life...the intersection of word geeks and grammar police...criminal negligence in the U.S. armed forces...exploring Gramercy Park and Union Square...transformation of urban gardens...New York’s first and oldest charter school... beauty, culture and the fascination of Cuba...

Are you looking for a good nonfiction read to download? Every month the Mid-Manhattan Library presents a series of Author @ the Library lectures featuring recent nonfiction books on a wide range of subjects, and many of these titles are available to borrow as e-books.

Last year, the Mid-Manhattan Library hosted distinguished scholars and authors at the Author @ The Library series. Some of the topics presented included photography, education, science and technology, New York City, performing and visual arts, politics and government, religion and sports.

傳記,是描述有名或無名人物的生平,和他們的精神世界.以下十三本書,囊括政治,社會,和歷史上的大大小小人物.有驚心動魄的經歷,也有哀怨感人的情節.都說真實故事比起電影情節跟本是不遑多讓.這十數本傳記只是紐約公立圖書館中文傳記館藏的冰山一角.只要走到任何一個圖書館,試試你的運氣，相信 你一定可以找得到你喜歡閱讀的傳記.透過一頁頁文字, 讓你傲遊在主角們的內心世界裏.

The term Black Humor was coined in the 1960s by critics who regarded him as a founder, and although Friedman admits that he was never fond of the term, it is true that he helped pioneer this darker comic tone that was grimmer than conventional satire.

If you'd like to understand why more wild animals are venturing into urban environments; to discover how the great impressionist Monet ate; to examine the Polaroid-Kodak patent war; to celebrate the music and poetry of Leonard Cohen; to learn how to beat fatigue; to explore the economic consequences of climate change; to relive a harrowing but heroic moment in Armenian history; to argue against suicide; or learn how to cope with the narcissists in your life, please join us this month!

Perhaps as much has been written about Hemingway as was written by him.

If the mention of social media, art, birding, presidential politics, houseplants and Sinatra are enough to get your attention, this month's programs at Mid-Manhattan Library are sure to interest you.