Peter Henry Rossi has spent his academic career studying prison reform, urban discontent, social programs, and most notably, the homeless in America. He was born in New York City on December 27, 1921, to Peter M. and Elizabeth Porcelli Rossi. In 1943, he received a B.S. degree from City College (now City College of the City University of New York, or CUNY). During World War II, his education was put on hold while he served in the U.S.Army, reaching the rating of technical sergeant before his discharge in 1945. His first marriage, to Norma Westen in 1942, ended in divorce, and in 1951, he married Alice Schaerr. They have three children, Peter, Kristin, and Nina.

Rossi continued his education at Columbia University in New York City where he earned a Ph.D. and was also an instructor in sociology and a research associate, 1950-1951. From there, he joined the faculty at...