Welcome to American National Biography Online
The life of a nation is told by the lives of its people
- Over 19,000 biographies of significant, influential or notorious figures from American history written by prominent scholars
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What's new
What's new: November 2019
This update features seven new biographies, with a focus on innovators in art and architecture. It includes Pietro Belluschi, designer of the Pan Am Building; Michael Graves, designer of the Portland Building; industrial designer Elsie Krummeck; fashion designer Mainbocher; early American art dealer Thomas Appleton; African American painter Archibald Motley; and the pathbreaking and controversial artist, writer, and filmmaker David Wojnarowicz.
Featured
David Wojnarowicz
David Wojnarowiz (1922–2014) was one of the most important American artists of the twentieth century and a leading queer voice of his generation. In many ways he epitomized the art and culture scene of 1980s New York City. An East Village fixture, his art was exhibited in popular galleries including Gracie Mansion and Civilian Warfare, as well as the 1985 Whitney Biennial. After being diagnosed as HIV-positive, he directed this art more explicitly toward activism and sexuality.
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