Paul LeClerc is a scholar in French literature, former President of Hunter College, and former President and CEO of the New York Public Library. LeClerc is also a trustee of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as Director of the National Book Foundation, as Director of the Maison Française of Columbia University.
LeClerc was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire. LeClerc's grandparents were French Canadian immigrants.[1] In 1959, LeClerc graduated from Holy Cross High School in Flushing, New York.
LeClerc earned a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross in 1963 and spent a postgraduate year studying at the University of Paris. He later earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in French literature from Columbia University.[1]
In 1988, LeClerc became the President of Hunter College in New York City, New York.[1]
LeClerc served as president of the New York Public Library from December 1, 1993 until July 1, 2011.
LeClerc was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2006.[2]
In 2012, LeClerc became the director of Columbia Global Centers (Paris) for Columbia University. LeClerc is the chairman of Maison Française Advisory Board.[3] [4] [5] [6]
LeClerc's wife is Judith Ginsberg.[1]