title: Paul LeClerc
text: # Paul LeClerc
  
  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.
  
  ## Early life and education
  
  LeClerc was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire. LeClerc's grandparents were French Canadian immigrants. 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. He later earned a Ph.D. in French literature from Columbia University.
  
  ## Career
  
  In 1988, LeClerc became the President of Hunter College in New York City, New York.
  
  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.
  
  In 2012, LeClerc became the director of Columbia Global Centers (Paris) for
  
  Columbia University. LeClerc is the chairman of Maison Française Advisory Board.
  
  ## Personal life
  
  LeClerc's wife is Judith Ginsberg.
  
  