Joyce Milton (1946–2003) was an American author and journalist renowned for her works on historical and political subjects, particularly espionage and Cold War themes. She graduated from Antioch College in 1968 and received a master's degree in history from Columbia University in 1970.

She gained prominence through her collaboration with historian Ronald Radosh, to whom she was married from 1970 to 1976, on the influential book 'The Rosenberg File' (1983), which examined the case of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg using newly declassified documents to argue their guilt in atomic espionage. This work sparked significant debate and controversy, challenging earlier narratives of the Rosenbergs as innocent victims of McCarthyism. Milton's meticulous research and analytical approach established her as a key figure in revisionist histories of American communism and intelligence.

Beyond 'The Rosenberg File', Milton authored several other books, including 'The Yellow Kids: Foreign Correspondents in the Heyday of Yellow Journalism' (1989), which explored the origins of sensationalist reporting in the late 19th century, and 'Tramp: The Life of Charlie Chaplin' (1996), a biography of the iconic filmmaker. She also wrote numerous children's historical non-fiction books, contributing extensively to series like "The Story of..." covering various historical events and landmarks.

Her writing often delved into the intersections of media, politics, and culture, reflecting her background in journalism. Milton contributed articles to major publications such as The New York Times and The Nation, and her career bridged academic rigor with accessible narrative style.