Blanche Wiesen Cook is an American historian and professor who has specialized in biographical studies of notable women in American history. She is best known for her multi-volume biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the United States during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office. Cook's comprehensive work on Roosevelt is acclaimed for its depth of research and its revelations about Roosevelt's private life and political influence. Born in 1941, Cook earned her Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and has had a distinguished academic career, teaching at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Graduate Center at the City University of New York. In addition to her work on Eleanor Roosevelt, she has written about women's history and feminist movements and has been active in social justice causes. Cook's writing reflects her commitment to shedding light on the often underrepresented stories of women who have shaped history.