All upcoming Biography & Autobiography programs

In August 1943, at the height of World War II, first lady Eleanor Roosevelt traveled more than 25,000 miles throughout the Pacific Theater, visiting military bases, hospitals, and remote outposts where American troops were stationed. Author Shannon McKenna Schmidt chronicles the first lady’s extraordinary five-week journey as she flew in unheated transport planes and bombers, dined in mess halls, and even trekked through the jungle on a simulated training mission. Schmidt also traces Roosevelt’s transformation from a shy society matron into one of the most consequential first ladies in American history.

Marking the 150th anniversary of pivotal 20th-century Spanish composer Manuel de Falla’s birth, speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin combines an illustrated lecture with live piano demonstrations to examine how de Falla forged his unique, seductive voice with such enchanting stage and concert pieces as El amor brujo, La vida breve, and Noches en los jardines de España.

The rivalry between Protestant Elizabeth I of England and Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic, was one of the most dramatic political and religious conflicts of the 16th century. Amy Leonard, a Georgetown University professor of history, examines the real relationship between these two powerful yet diametrically opposed rivals, who never met in person but were linked by family ties, gender, and religious and political intrigue.

Antonio Vivaldi’s music is so beloved today that it’s hard to imagine he was virtually forgotten for nearly two centuries. In his day, the fiery-haired, virtuoso violinist and Catholic priest was celebrated for his striking innovations in Baroque form, but after his death much of the work of the “Red Priest” vanished from performance. A remarkable rediscovery of manuscripts in the 20th century swept his genius back to concert stages worldwide and revealed the astonishing scope of his creativity. Combining an illustrated lecture with live musical demonstrations, concert pianist Rachel Franklin explores Vivaldi’s restless, colorful life, his groundbreaking musical style, and the fascinating story of how his music made one of the greatest comebacks in cultural history.

Gary J. Walters, the longest-serving chief usher in White House history, reflects on extraordinary moments from his 37 years of service, working closely with each first family from Presidents Nixon through George W. Bush. Drawing from his book White House Memories 1970–2007, he offers rare behind-the-scenes insight into major events, including Watergate and Nixon’s final day, Queen Elizabeth II’s Bicentennial visit, the first papal visit, Election Day tensions, presidential transitions, and a detailed account of the White House on September 11, 2001.

Art historian Nancy G. Heller presents a richly illustrated lecture on groundbreaking women artists who have earned major awards, MacArthur “genius” grants, and international recognition. She highlights Simone Leigh’s monumental sculptures of Black women, Julie Mehretu’s layered political abstractions, Wendy Red Star’s witty explorations of Indigenous identity, Cristina Iglesias’s immersive underwater installations, and Amy Sherald’s revitalized portraiture—all showcasing the global breadth and innovation of contemporary women artists. (World Art History Certificate elective, ½ credit)

Le Corbusier—born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret in 1887—was a Swiss-French architect whose radical theories on modernism, housing, and urban planning reshaped 20th-century design. Art historian Jennie Hirsh situates his work within its political and intellectual context, highlighting landmarks such as Villa Savoye, Villa La Roche, the Unité d’Habitation, Ronchamp Chapel, and Tokyo’s National Museum of Western Art. These projects—many now UNESCO sites—demonstrate how his vision transformed how people live in cities. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Sammy Davis Jr. was a prodigy in vaudeville, trailblazer in desegregating Las Vegas, and global superstar who shone in Hollywood and on Broadway. Performer and educator Aaron Reeder examines how Davis’s artistry intersected with questions of race, religion, and identity in 20th-century America and the contradictions of fame that defined his career. Reeder explores Davis’ life and legacy through rare recordings, archival images, and performance excerpts.

Georgia O’Keeffe, a pioneering American modernist, became renowned for her bold paintings of flowers, bones, New York skyscrapers, and the New Mexico desert. Her partnership with photographer Alfred Stieglitz helped shape her artistic identity and public recognition. Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar follows her path from early training to her breakthrough at Gallery 291, her Lake George period, travels to Palo Duro Canyon and Hawaii, and her final move to New Mexico, offering a critical study of her major works and legacy. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)

Artemisia Gentileschi was a pioneering 17th-century Baroque artist, celebrated for her dramatic and emotionally charged paintings that often depict powerful women at the center of action. Overcoming significant personal adversity, she carved out a remarkable place for herself in the male-dominated art world. As she declared, “I’ll show you what a woman can do…you will find the spirit of Caesar in this soul of a woman.” Art historian Elaine Ruffolo explores Gentileschi’s compelling life story, artistic innovations, and enduring legacy in the history of art. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)