Richard Powell was a life-long Philadelphian until he retired with his wife to Fort Myers, Florida. As a graduate of Princeton University (1930), Powell joined the Evening Record as a reporter. In 1940, he moved to Public Relations at N.W. Ayer & Son. After three years in the Army during World War II, Powell returned to his PR position, rising to Vice President before his retirement in 1958, to become a full time writer. He is the author of many mysteries and political satires.