Stacy Schiff

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff has consistently brought historical figures to life with deep insight and meticulous research. Her extensive body of work includes notable titles such as "Véra (Mrs. Vladimir Nabokov)", which won her the Pulitzer Prize, and "Saint-Exupéry: A Biography", a finalist for the same award. Her book "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America" not only secured the George Washington Book Prize but also inspired an Apple TV series starring Michael Douglas. Other significant works include "The Witches: Salem, 1692", praised for its thrilling narrative by The New York Times, and "Cleopatra: A Life", a New York Times Bestseller and winner of the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for biography.

In her gripping portrayal of Cleopatra in "Cleopatra: A Life", Schiff explores the life of one of history’s most fascinating figures. Cleopatra was noted not only for her political acumen and ability to maintain an empire in a male-dominated era but also for her linguistic capabilities and role as a single mother to four children. The biography was widely acclaimed and recognized in numerous 'best of the year' lists, highlighting Schiff's ability to recontextualize historical narratives in a modern framework.

In addition to her literary accomplishments, Schiff has been honored with fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her commitment to historical narratives was further recognized through accolades such as the 2019 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award and her induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2019. She was also named a 2011 Library Lion by the New York Public Library and received the prestigious title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture in 2018. Schiff’s contributions to literature and history are also reflected through her writings in major publications such as The New Yorker, the Washington Post, and the New York Times where she has served as a guest columnist.