1923-
National Security Adviser, 1969-1975;
Secretary of State, 1973-1976

A Flamboyant Figure.

Widely acknowledged as the most influential foreign-policy figure in the 1970s, Henry Kissinger's career in diplomacy was marked by surprising initiatives, sudden announcements, and secret negotiations. His high visibility made him a celebrity; before he married Nancy Maginnes in 1974 he had a reputation as a playboy, followed by both the press and the paparazzi. His flamboyance often led to tensions between him and the two presidents he served, but his presence provided vital continuity between the Nixon and Ford administrations.

A Scholarly Background.

Born in Furth, Germany, on 27 May 1923, Kissinger and his parents fled the Nazis and immigrated to New York City in 1938. He earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees from Harvard and stayed on there as a political scientist and member of the Center for International Affairs. An early book, Nuclear Weapons...