Albert Gallatin Lecture Series

About the Series

In keeping with its academic mission, which is firmly rooted in the idea that knowledge and understanding grow through conversation and collaboration, the Gallatin School is pleased to present the Albert Gallatin Lectures at NYU. The series, which had its inaugural presentation in the spring of 2006, brings a variety of notable figures from the worlds of politics, the arts, business, and academia to the University to discuss contemporary issues with students, faculty, alumni, and members of the wider community.

The Lectures are made possible through the support of an anonymous donor. As former Interim Dean Ali Mirsepassi noted at the inaugural Lecture, “We strongly encourage dialogue and inquiry in all of our courses and through our faculty advising system, but the lecture series will give us an opportunity to extend our intellectual conversations to the larger Gallatin and NYU communities. I am so thankful that we received such a generous donation to launch this endeavor.”


On Monday, October 12, 2009, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. presented “Our Environmental Destiny”

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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was named one of TIME magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet” for his success in helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. In 2009, he was named one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Agents of Change.”

Mr. Kennedy serves as senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper, and president of Waterkeeper Alliance. He is a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Litigation Clinic. Among Mr. Kennedy’s published books are the New York Times bestseller Crimes Against Nature (2004); The Riverkeepers (1997); and Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr: A Biography (1977). His articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School.