Author. He graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 1952 and then served in the Navy, performing duty aboard a minesweeper and at the NATO offices in Naples, Italy. In 1955 he joined the staff of Governor Averell Harriman and served until the end of Harriman's term in December, 1958. In 1960 he joined the US Information Agency, and he served in Argentina, Brazil and Washington D.C. From 1963 to 1966 he was Executive Assistant to New York's Health Commissioner, and from 1966 to 1977 he was Chief Speechwriter for Nelson Rockefeller during Rockefeller's governorship and term as Vice President. In the late 1970s Persico became an author of history and biography. His works included biographies of Rockefeller and Edward R. Murrow, co-authorship of Colin Powell's autobiography, and a biography of CIA Director William Casey. His history of the Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals was adapted for a well-received television mini-series. He also appeared on the Public Broadcasting Service and History Channel as a commentator on World War I, World War II and other historical topics.
Author. He graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 1952 and then served in the Navy, performing duty aboard a minesweeper and at the NATO offices in Naples, Italy. In 1955 he joined the staff of Governor Averell Harriman and served until the end of Harriman's term in December, 1958. In 1960 he joined the US Information Agency, and he served in Argentina, Brazil and Washington D.C. From 1963 to 1966 he was Executive Assistant to New York's Health Commissioner, and from 1966 to 1977 he was Chief Speechwriter for Nelson Rockefeller during Rockefeller's governorship and term as Vice President. In the late 1970s Persico became an author of history and biography. His works included biographies of Rockefeller and Edward R. Murrow, co-authorship of Colin Powell's autobiography, and a biography of CIA Director William Casey. His history of the Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals was adapted for a well-received television mini-series. He also appeared on the Public Broadcasting Service and History Channel as a commentator on World War I, World War II and other historical topics.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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