File:Konrad Bercovici (1881-1961) obituary by the Associated Press.jpg

Konrad Bercovici. Chronicler Of Gypsy Lore, Ex-Newsman. New York (AP) Konrad Bercovic, 80, writer, musician and chronicler of gypsy lore, died at his home yesterday. A noted newspaper and magazine writer, Bercovici also worked as a writer in Hollywood. Born in Romania of gypsy parents, Bercovici wrote some 40 books, many of them about gypsies. The Story of the Gypsies is considered the standard work on the subject. He also wrote about Romania's King Carol, "That Royal Lover", and "Savage Prodigal", a biography of the poet Rimbaud. Bercovici was educated in France, and studied the organ under Vidor, who also instructed Albert Schweitzer. He became a member of the Montparnasse group founded by Anatole France. Coming to the United States in 1904, he worked for the old Morning World as sports and feature writer, and later wrote for the Post, Sun and several magazines. As a foreign correspondent for the World, he interviewed figures like Attaturk, Clemenceau, Briand, Goering and Goebbels. He was one of the first established writers to cover the Spanish Revolution from the Loyalist view, and he remained a bitter and articulate opponent of fascism. Bercovici visited Hollywood several times, writing scripts for movies, and in 1933 he edited "Best Short Stories of the World" for the Star Book series. Edward O'Brien included Bercovici's "Chitza and Other Romances of Gypsy Blood" in the "Best Short Stories" of 1920. In 1947 his suit for $6,430,000 against Charlie Chaplin, charging that the motion picture actor had stolen ideas from Bercovici for the film "The Great Dictator", was settled for payment of $93,000. The settlement gave Chaplin world motion-picture rights to "Old Chicago", a scenario based on the Haymarket Riot, and to "The Cry of the World", formerly published by Bercovici as "Tinka". His works included "Alexander The Great", and "The Crusaders", "The Exodus." Surviving are two sons. Corky and Rion (who was originally named Hyperion); two daughters, Rada and Mirel, with whom he had lived here; two brothers, three sisters and two grandchildren.

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