Famous British Spies

Major John André was a British Army officer who played a key role in Britain's intelligence operations during the American War of Independence. He negotiated with turncoat Benedict Arnold to secure control of the American fort at West Point, New York for the British. André's capture and subsequent execution for espionage by the Continental Army following a series of mishaps during his return to British lines from a meeting with Arnold left a lasting impact on both sides of the conflict.

Oleg Antonovich Gordievsky is a former KGB colonel who worked as a KGB resident-designate and bureau chief in London. He operated as a double agent, providing intelligence to the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) from 1974 to 1985. After being recalled to Moscow and facing suspicion, he was exfiltrated from the Soviet Union in July 1985 through Operation Pimlico. In absentia, the Soviet Union sentenced him to death following his defection.

Violette Szabo was a British-French Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent during World War II. She bravely served in occupied France on two missions, ultimately being captured by the German army. Despite enduring interrogation and torture, she maintained her resilience and commitment to her mission. Her unwavering dedication led to her being posthumously awarded the George Cross for her heroic actions. Szabo's sacrifice and bravery in the face of extreme adversity have left a lasting legacy in the annals of wartime espionage.

Donald Maclean was a British diplomat and Soviet double agent who played a key role in the Cambridge Five spy ring. Recruited as a student, he rose through the ranks in the civil service, serving in various roles including Third Secretary in Paris, First Secretary in London and Washington, D.C., and head of the American Department in the Foreign Office. He defected to Moscow in 1951 with Soviet assistance, where he continued to work on British policy and relations with NATO until his death in 1983.

Maria Krystyna Janina Skarbek, OBE, GM, known as Christine Granville, was a Polish agent of the British Special Operations Executive during World War II. She was the first female British agent in the field and the longest-serving among Britain's wartime women agents. Skarbek's resourcefulness and success influenced the SOE to recruit more women agents in Nazi-occupied countries. Her most famous exploit involved securing the release of SOE agents from a German prison through daring tactics. Skarbek was known for her bravery, intelligence, and effectiveness in espionage missions.

John Edmund Gardner was an English novelist renowned for his contributions to the spy and thriller genres. He gained fame for his James Bond continuation novels, as well as for his series featuring Boysie Oakes and Professor Moriarty. Gardner, a former Royal Marine commando, briefly pursued a career as an Anglican priest before transitioning to writing. With over fifty works of fiction to his name, including original James Bond novels and novel adaptations of Bond films, Gardner left a lasting impact on the literary world.

Kim Philby was a British intelligence officer who worked as a spy for the Soviet Union. He was a member of the Cambridge Five spy ring, providing secret information to the Soviets during World War II and the Cold War. Philby was recruited by Soviet intelligence in 1934 and later worked for MI6. He passed significant intelligence to the Soviets, including involvement in the Albanian Subversion. Philby's career included roles in Washington and Beirut, but he ultimately defected to Moscow after being exposed as a Soviet agent in 1963.

Peter Maurice Wright was a principal scientific officer for MI5, the British counter-intelligence agency. He gained international fame through his book Spycatcher, co-written with Paul Greengrass, which sold over two million copies. The book was a mix of memoir and exposé, highlighting institutional failures within MI5. Wright was known for his counterespionage work, influenced by James Jesus Angleton, the former counter-intelligence chief of the US Central Intelligence Agency. Wright's professional life was marked by his dedication to investigating and exposing security breaches within intelligence agencies.

William John Christopher Vassall was a British civil servant who worked for the government from 1954 to 1962. He was involved in espionage activities for the Soviet Union during this time and provided crucial details regarding naval technology. Vassall's actions led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment for eighteen years, although he was released after serving ten years. His espionage scandal caused embarrassment to the Macmillan government, but it was overshadowed by the more sensational Profumo affair.

John Cairncross was a British civil servant who transitioned into an intelligence officer and spy during World War II. Acting as a Soviet double agent, he provided the Soviet Union with critical Tunny decryptions that influenced the outcome of the Battle of Kursk. He was suspected to be a member of the infamous Cambridge Five spy ring. In addition to his espionage activities, Cairncross was known for his skills as a translator, literary scholar, and writer of non-fiction.

Lieutenant-Colonel George Reginald Starr, code name Hilaire, was a British mining engineer and a key figure in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II. As the leader of the Wheelwright network in France, he orchestrated numerous successful sabotage operations, rescued important resistance leaders and allied airmen, and played a crucial role in the liberation of southwestern France from German occupation. Highly regarded within the SOE, Starr was considered one of the top agents in France, though his wartime record was marred by controversies, including allegations of permitting torture.

Duncan Scott-Ford was a British merchant seaman during the Second World War. He faced accusations of treachery for allegedly providing information to an enemy agent, leading to his execution by hanging. His actions were seen as a betrayal to his country and a breach of trust during a critical time of conflict. Scott-Ford's case serves as a sobering reminder of the severe consequences that can result from compromising national security and undermining wartime efforts.

Alan Nunn May was a British physicist involved in atomic research during World War II. He was a confessed Soviet spy, supplying classified information to the Soviet Union. May's espionage activities led to significant breaches in security, impacting British and American atomic research efforts. Despite his contributions to the scientific community, his actions as a spy tarnished his professional reputation and resulted in his conviction for espionage. May's case serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of betraying one's country for personal gain.

Eileen Mary "Didi" Nearne MBE, Croix de Guerre was a courageous member of the UK's Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II. Serving as a radio operator under the codename "Rose," she played a vital role in conducting espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in occupied France. Nearne allied herself with resistance groups, providing them with weapons and equipment parachuted in from England. Despite being captured by the Germans and imprisoned in Ravensbrück concentration camp, she displayed remarkable resilience and determination, ultimately surviving the war.

Edward Bancroft was an American physician and chemist who served as secretary to the American commission in Paris during the American Revolutionary War. He became a double agent, secretly working for both the United States and Great Britain. Bancroft's role as a spy allowed him to gather valuable intelligence for both sides, despite the risks involved. His professional life was marked by deception and intrigue, as he navigated the complex political landscape of the Revolutionary War era to further his own interests and objectives.

Laurence Oliphant was a diverse professional figure, serving as a Member of Parliament in the UK, while also excelling as an author, traveller, diplomat, British intelligence agent, Christian mystic, and Christian Zionist. His satirical novel, Piccadilly, gained attention during his lifetime, but he is perhaps better remembered for his visionary plan to establish Jewish farming communities in the Holy Land through his work, The Land of Gilead. Oliphant's multi-faceted career showcased his intellectual versatility and passion for various pursuits.

Theodore Schurch was a British soldier whose professional life was marked by service during the Second World War. He was executed under the Treachery Act 1940, making him the last person in Britain to be executed for a non-murder offense. Schurch's actions during the war led to his controversial trial and subsequent sentencing. His military career and the circumstances surrounding his execution have been subjects of historical interest and debate, shedding light on the complexities of wartime justice and morality.

John Honeyman was an American spy and British informant during the American Revolutionary War. He played a pivotal role in spreading disinformation and gathering intelligence for George Washington, contributing significantly to the success of the Battle of Trenton. Honeyman's professional life was characterized by his undercover work, strategic deception, and ability to extract crucial information from the enemy. His skills as a spy were instrumental in supporting Washington's military strategies and ultimately aiding in the American victory against the British forces.

Basil Thomson was a British colonial administrator, prison governor, and head of Metropolitan Police CID during World War I. He played a crucial role in arresting wartime spies and was involved in prosecuting Mata Hari, Sir Roger Casement, and various Irish and Indian nationalists. However, his controversial equating of Jews with Bolshevism drew accusations of anti-semitism. Additionally, Thomson was a successful novelist, showcasing his diverse talents beyond his law enforcement and administrative roles.

Thomas Dangerfield was an English conspirator known for his involvement in the infamous Popish Plot. He gained notoriety as one of the main informers during this period of political turmoil. Dangerfield's professional life was marked by his reputation as a resourceful and clever rogue, as evidenced in the literary novel "Don Tomazo, or The Juvenile Rambles of Thomas Dangerfield," which is believed to have been authored by Dangerfield himself. His role as an informer and his portrayal in literature cemented his legacy as a figure of intrigue and controversy.