The Henri Peyre French Institute was founded by distinguished Professor Mary Ann Caws and Professor Emeritus John W. Kneller in 1980 to honor the internationally acclaimed scholar Henri Peyre, critic and author of over 44 books, who is particularly notable for his significant work in introducing French modern literature to an American audience. The Institute recognizes this work and his service as a Distinguished Professor and Executive Officer of the Ph.D Program in French at the Graduate Center, City University of New York.