(August 3, 1926 – September 30, 2011) Kennedy’s most recent books, When Art Worked: The New Deal, Art, and Democracy (Rizzoli Publishers), 1934: A New Deal for Artists (Smithsonian American Art Museum), and John F. Kennedy: The Making of His Inaugural Address (Levenger Press) were released in 02009. His 01989 book Greek Revival America has just been re-issued by Rizzoli, and his first, Minnesota Houses (01967), was reissued in February 02006. He was the Director of the U.S. National Park Service from 01993 to 01997 and Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History from 01979 to 01992. From 01969 to 01979 he was the Vice President for Finance and Vice President for the Arts at the Ford Foundation. During the 01960's he was the Chairman of the Executive Committee and Director of Northwestern National Bank of St. Paul, Minnesota, and then Vice President of Finance for the University of Minnesota. In the 01950's Kennedy was a trial attorney in the Civil Division of the Department of Justice as Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General, then successively Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Housing Education & Welfare, and the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Kennedy attended the University of Minnesota Law School (LLD) and got his B.A. from Yale in the 01950's. He was in the U.S. Navy in the 01940's.

Roger Kennedy's other books include: Wildfire and Americans: How to Save Lives, Property, and Your Tax Dollars (02006), American Churches (01982), Architecture, Men, Women and Money (01986), Orders from France (01991), Rediscovering America (01992), Mission (01993), Hidden Cities (01994), Burr, Hamilton, and Jefferson (01998), Mr. Jefferson's Lost Cause (02002), Men on a Moving Frontier (01969) Living on the Edge (co-edited with Austin Troy) (02008). Roger Kennedy’s articles have appeared in Harpers, the Atlantic, Smithsonian, New York Times, Readers Digest, Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Winterthur Quarterly, Law and Contemporary Problems, New Republic, and the Harvard Business Review.

Roger passed away on September 30, 02011 at home with his family near Washington DC. He is missed by all who knew him.