James MacGregor Burns

James MacGregor Burns is a Pulitzer Prize-winning Presidential biographer, a pioneer in the study of leadership. Author of more than two dozen books, Burns has devoted his professional life to the study of leadership in American life.

Burns received his doctorate in political science from Harvard, attended the London School of Economics, and taught at Williams College. Burns was a Democratic nominee for the 1st Congressional District of Massachusetts in 1958 and also served as a delegate to four Democratic National Conventions. While in the military, Burns served as combat historian in the Pacific Theater from 1943-1946; he was awarded the Bronze Star and four Battle Stars.