Helen Lombard

Helen Lombard, born Helen Cassin Carusi and later known as Helen Carusi Vischer (October 25, 1904 – May 11, 1986) was an American journalist, best known for her insider's book of Washington gossip, Washington Waltz.

Background Lombard was a grandchild of Stephen Cassin (here, undated Medal of Lieutenant Stephen Cassin [MET LC-83 2 380-001] in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a hero of the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. Helen Cassin Carusi was born in 1904 or 1905 in Washington, D.C. Her father, Charles Francis Carusi, was chancellor of National University and a member of the Washington, D.C. Board of Education. Her great-grandfather was Stephen Cassin (1783–1857), a United States Navy officer during the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. Lombard attended Holton-Arms School. In 1935, she christened the USS Cassin (DD-372).

In 1951, after marrying Peter Vischer, the two moved to the "Habre de Venture" historic house in Port Tobacco, Maryland and raised thoroughbred horses in Charles County, Maryland. By 1947, she had married Washington columnist Constantine Brown, but they divorced.

Works Lombard published two books: Washington Waltz, which recounted her life as a Washington hostess, and While They Fought, which recounted events during World War II. while the conservative Human Events found it "valuable". While They Fought came out no later than March 1947, when Representative Dondero mentioned it publicly. While They Fought (1947)