Ken Burns

documentary filmmaker, Florentine Films

Kenneth Lauren Burns is an American director and producer of documentary films known for his style of making use of archival footage and photographs. Among his most notable productions are *The Civil War* (1990), *Baseball* (1994), *Jazz* (2001) and *The War* (2007). Burns's documentaries have been nominated for two Academy Awards (*Brooklyn Bridge* in 1982 and *The Statue of Liberty* in 1986) and have won seven Emmy Awards. Burns was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and went on to graduate from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He earned his BA degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1975, and went on to be one of the co-founders of Florentine Films. The recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees, Burns is a sought-after public speaker, appearing at colleges, civic organizations, and business groups throughout the country.