How do I book Ken Burns to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ken Burns for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ken Burns, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ken Burns or any other speaker of your choice.

What are the speaker fees for Ken Burns

Speaking fees for Ken Burns, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ken Burns are $50,000 - $100,000 for live events and $50,000 - $100,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ken Burns, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Ken Burns speak about?

Ken Burns is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Baseball, Business, College, Commencement, Creativity, Democrat, Disruptive Thinking, History, Innovation, Inspirational, Literary, Motivational, Music, Political, Television & Film, Thought Leadership

Who is Ken Burns's agent?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Ken Burns for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ken Burns for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker's or celebrity's engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event's completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Ken Burns or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you're looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you're in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Ken Burns | Speaking Fee

Ken Burns Biography

Ken Burns, a prolific and influential figure in the realm of documentary filmmaking, has dedicated nearly five decades to crafting compelling narratives that delve into the tapestry of American history. Born on July 29, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, Burns embarked on his cinematic journey with the Academy Award-nominated "Brooklyn Bridge" in 1981, laying the foundation for a remarkable career that would redefine the genre.

Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and evocative storytelling, Burns has been called America's biographer. He has directed and produced a plethora of acclaimed historical documentaries that resonate deeply with audiences on subjects ranging from baseball to the Jackie Robinson to the Vietnam War. His magnum opus, "The Civil War," stands as a testament to his mastery, earning accolades and admiration from critics and viewers alike. A December 2002 poll by Real Screen Magazine hailed it as the second most influential documentary of all time, cementing Burns' status alongside legendary filmmaker Robert Flaherty.

Throughout his career, Burns has not only chronicled pivotal moments in American history but has also reshaped the landscape of documentary filmmaking. His innovative approach transcends mere narration, offering audiences a profound insight into the complexities of the past and its enduring relevance to the present. Burns' documentaries have earned two Academy Award nominations and have won several Emmy Awards, among other honors.

Critics and historians alike attest to the unparalleled influence of Burns' work, with the late Stephen Ambrose remarking that more Americans glean their understanding of history from Burns' films than any other source. Through his lens, Burns has not only chronicled the chronicles of the nation but has also fundamentally altered the way we perceive and engage with our collective heritage. In his latest work on Leonardo da Vinci, Burns' first non-American subject, the filmmaker peels back myths around one of the world’s greatest artists.

As he continues to captivate audiences with his poignant narratives and timeless storytelling, Burns remains a towering figure in the world of documentary filmmaking, leaving an indelible mark on the medium and shaping our understanding of the past for generations to come.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Ken Burns and other top speakers and celebrities.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 03/12/2025.

Ken Burns Speaking Topics

Old Ghosts and Ancient Tones (Country Music)

This powerful, moving speech digs deep into the history and meaning of country music. It’s all here: its greatest stars and the words and music that touch on universal human experiences.
A History of the World (The Vietnam War)

Burns tries to make sense of the most important and most consequential event in American History since World War II. Here competing viewpoints and perspectives are balanced to give us a chance to finally come to terms with this important conflict.

The Rising Road (The Roosevelts: An Intimate History)

A detailed and intimate look at three hugely influential, but deeply flawed and wounded people, who are Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt—their lives, but also their times.

A Treasure House of Nature’s Superlatives (The National Parks: America’s Best Idea)

Burns discusses the great gift of our national parks. Here both “the immensity and the intimacy of time” merge, as we appreciate what the parks have added to our collective and individual spirit. (Begins with 13-minute clip • intro to the film.)

Sharing the American Experience (The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz)

Ken Burns reminds the audience of the timeless lessons of history, and the enduring greatness and importance of the United States in the course of human events. Incorporating The Civil War, Baseball and Jazz, Burns engages and celebrates what we share in common.

Mystic Chords of Memory (The Civil War)

The Civil War continues to be the most important event in American history. In this eloquent address, Burns paints both an intimate and bird’s-eye view of the searing events of the years 1861 through 1865 and the war’s profound relevance to us today.

Ken Burns Videos

Ken Burns, H'24 Keynote Address to Brandeis University's 2024 ...

Ken Burns H'24 delivered the keynote address to the 2024 undergraduate class during the 73rd Commencement Exercises.
Ken Burns, Tom Brokaw Talk About 'Mayo Clinic' Documentary

Renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and NBC's Tom Brokaw drop by to discuss Burns' newest documentary, “The Mayo Clinic: Faith, ...
Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking | Official Trailer

Learn more about Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking: www. masterclass.com/kb In Ken Burns's MasterClass, the documentary ...

See All Videos »

Ken Burns Books

The Dust Bowl: An Illustrated History
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
The War: An Intimate History, 1941-1945
Baseball: An Illustrated History, including The Tenth Inning
Jazz: A History of America's Music
Mark Twain: An Illustrated Biography

Speaker Lists Featuring Ken Burns

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FAQs on booking Ken Burns

How do I book Ken Burns to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ken Burns for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ken Burns, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ken Burns or any other speaker of your choice.
What are the speaker fees for Ken Burns

Speaking fees for Ken Burns, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ken Burns are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ken Burns, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Ken Burns speak about?

Ken Burns is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Baseball, Business, College, Commencement, Creativity, Democrat, Disruptive Thinking, History, Innovation, Inspirational, Literary, Motivational, Music, Political, Television & Film, Thought Leadership.
Where does Ken Burns travel from?

Ken Burns generally travels from Walpole, NH, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
Who is Ken Burns’s agent?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Ken Burns for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ken Burns for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Ken Burns or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Ken Burns is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Old Ghosts and Ancient Tones (Country Music), A History of the World (The Vietnam War), The Rising Road (The Roosevelts: An Intimate History), A Treasure House of Nature’s Superlatives (The National Parks: America’s Best Idea), Sharing the American Experience (The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz) and Mystic Chords of Memory (The Civil War). The estimated speaking fee range to book Ken Burns for your event is $50,000 - $100,000. Ken Burns generally travels from Walpole, NH, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Van Jones, Kal Penn, Sean Astin, Jon Meacham and Dr. Michio Kaku. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ken Burns for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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