(The OSS would be heavily populated by lawyers during its existence. By 1941, Donovan, a graduate of Columbia Law School, had a highly successful career predating the first war as a lawyer in private practice in government service. Donovan was a highly decorated hero of the First World War and was awarded the Medal of Honor, among several other orders and medals. He chose General William “Wild Bill” Donovan to be the leader of the Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI) established on July 11, 1941. It was not ideal.īy the start of World War II, President Roosevelt realized the need for some sort of coordination for the gathering of intelligence. This was the arrangement with which the United States muddled through the First World War. In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), founded in 1909, became involved in counterespionage. In fact, these departments were often in fierce competition with each other. By the beginning of the twentieth century, the United States had a handful of departments within the Navy, the Army, and the State Department that gathered intelligence but there was no coordination among these departments. Unfortunately, many of these spies were brave amateurs who were caught. George Washington understood the need for intelligence and had spy networks. Photo courtesy of the National Archives, Identifier 540066.Īmerica employed spies dating back to the American War of Independence. Area T, Harrington Airdrome, England, circa 1944. Top image: Jedburghs in front of B-24 just before night takeoff. That accelerated the Cold War, contributing to crises that could have ended the world. Espionage carried out by Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and Klaus Fuchs in which atomic secrets were passed to the Soviet Union contributed to that nation developing atomic weapons. Many are hailed as heroes in the country they were loyal to. Some have been very good at the trade, but a few were also quite inept and are famous simply because of their very public trials.
Many are ideologists, though some simply do it for the money and have few morals or core beliefs. The men and women of the spy world learn subterfuge and other methods and tools of the trade. There is documentation that ancient Greeks and Romans used espionage, too. Famed military strategist Sun Tzu wrote in “The Art of War” around 500 BC: “One who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements.” And in the Old Testament, Joshua sent two spies into Jericho before conquering Canaan. We are likely not aware of many real successful spies, especially in more recent times, as their existence and deeds are kept in secrecy.Ĭlick here for 27 of history’s most famous spiesĮspionage has its roots in ancient times. These are also not necessarily the most successful spies, but among the most famous ones - largely because they were caught. Alas, the only reason we know of many spies is because they were captured and often executed.Ģ4/7 Tempo’s list of famous spies throughout history is by no means exhaustive.
īut the reality is far more nuanced and complex - and far less glamorous.
#Famous secret agents tv#
We attach romantic and idealized notions to being a spy, influenced by TV shows, books, and movies such as those featuring British agent James Bond - and these are all Bond movies ranked from worst to best. The world of espionage is shrouded in mystery.
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