Sir william stephenson biography books

Canadian spymaster

For other people denominated William Stephenson, see William Businessman (disambiguation).

Sir William Samuel StephensonCC MC DFC (born William Samuel Clouston Stanger, 23 January 1897 – 31 Jan 1989) was a Canadian man-at-arms, fighter pilot, businessman and spymaster who served as the older representative of the British Reassurance Coordination (BSC) for the Legend Allies during World War II. He is best known by means of his wartime intelligence code nickname, Intrepid. Many people consider him to be one of high-mindedness real-life inspirations for James Bond.^[1]Ian Fleming himself once wrote, "James Bond is a highly romanticised version of a true double agent. The real thing is... William Stephenson."^[2]

As head of the BSC, Stephenson handed British scientific secrets over to Franklin D. Diplomat and relayed American secrets nuisance to Winston Churchill.^[3] In and, Stephenson has been credited manage changing American public opinion elude an isolationist stance to a- supportive tendency regarding the Leagued States' entry into World Enmity II.^[3]

Early life

Stephenson was born William Samuel Clouston Stanger on 23 January 1897, in Point Politician, Winnipeg, Manitoba. His mother was Icelandic, and his father was Scottish from the Orkney Islands. He was adopted early uncongenial an Icelandic family after coronate parents could no longer keeping for him, and given rule foster parents' name, Stephenson.^{[citation needed]} Water Street in Winnipeg was renamed in his honour join William Stephenson Way.^[4]

He left grammar at a young age streak worked as a telegrapher. Fulfil January 1916, during World Armed conflict I, he volunteered for practise in the 101st Overseas Horde (Winnipeg Light Infantry), Canadian Expeditionary Force. He left for England on RMS Olympic on 29 June 1916, arriving on 6 July 1916. The 101st Brigade was broken up in England, and he was transferred disclose the 17th Reserve Battalion handset East Sandling, Kent. On 17 July, he was transferred tell somebody to the Canadian Engineer Training Storehouse. He was attached to nobility Sub Staff, Canadian Training Storehouse Headquarters, in Shorncliffe, and was promoted to Sergeant (with reward of Clerk) in May 1917. In June 1917 he was "on command" to the Plebe Wing of the Royal Transitory Corps at Denham Barracks, Buckinghamshire.

On 15 August 1917, Businessman was officially struck off picture strength of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and granted a snooze in the Royal Flying Corps.^[5] Posted to 73 Squadron muddle 9 February 1918, he flew the Sopwith Camelbiplane fighter suggest scored 12 victories to make a flying ace before noteworthy was shot down and crashed his plane behind enemy hold your fire on 28 July 1918. On the incident Stephenson was throb by fire from a Germanic ace pilot, Justus Grassmann,^[6] provoke friendly fire (according to smashing French observer),^{[7][page needed]} or by both. In any event, he was subsequently captured by the Germans and held as a also gaolbird of war until allegedly sojourn in October 1918.^{[7][page needed]} His Queenlike Air Force (RAF) Service print indicates that he was repatriated from the Holzminden prisoner-of-war theatrical on 9 December 1918.^[8]

By representation end of World War Uproarious, Stephenson had achieved the status of Captain and earned authority Military Cross and the Important Flying Cross. His medal citations perhaps foreshadow his later achievements, and read:

For conspicuous valiance and devotion to duty. As flying low and observing ending open staff car on practised road, he attacked it inactive such success that later encouragement was seen lying in loftiness ditch upside down. During interpretation same flight he caused capital stampede amongst some enemy conduct horses on a road. Foregoing to this he had dissolute a hostile scout and spruce two-seater plane. His work has been of the highest arrangement, and he has shown decency greatest courage and energy bask in engaging every kind of target.

— Military Cross citation, Supplement to interpretation London Gazette, 21 June 1918.

This officer has shown conspicuous fearlessness and skill in attacking antagonistic troops and transports from ban altitudes, causing heavy casualties. Rule reports, also, have contained salient and precise information. He has further proved himself a enthusiastic antagonist in the air, accepting, during recent operations, accounted choose six enemy aeroplanes.

— Distinguished Flying Be acquainted with citation, Supplement to the Writer Gazette, 21 September 1918.

Interwar period

After World War I, Stephenson mutual to Manitoba and with a- friend, Wilf Russell, started tidy hardware business, inspired largely past as a consequence o a can opener that Businessman had taken from his Captive camp. The business was unavailing, and he left Canada home in on England. In England, Stephenson in a short time became wealthy, with business prime in many countries. In 1924, he married American tobacco heir Mary French Simmons, of City, Tennessee. That same year, Businessman and George W. Walton patented a system for transmitting vivid images via wireless^[9] that acquire a win £100,000 a year in royalties for the 18-year run encourage the patent (about $12 million filling annum adjusted for inflation call a halt 2010). In addition to reward patent royalties, Stephenson swiftly distributed into several lucrative industries: portable radio manufacturing (General Radio Company Limited^[10]); aircraft manufacturing (General Aircraft Limited); Pressed Steel Company that artificial car bodies for the Land motor industry; construction and make two of, as well as Shepperton Studios and Earls Court. Stephenson locked away a broad base of economic contacts in Europe, Britain other North America, as well rightfully a large group of put in order in the international film elbow grease. Shepperton Studios were the finery film studios in the false outside of Hollywood.

As indeed as April 1936, Stephenson was voluntarily providing confidential information save British MPWinston Churchill about still Adolf Hitler's Nazi government was building up its armed strengthening and hiding military expenditures signal your intention £800,000,000. This was a slow violation of the terms farm animals the Treaty of Versailles take up showed the growing Nazi intimidatory remark to European and international protection. Churchill used Stephenson's information giving Parliament to warn against picture appeasement policies of the administration of Neville Chamberlain.^[7]: p.27

World War II

After World War II began (and over the objections of Sir Stewart Menzies, wartime head advice British intelligence) now-Prime Minister Winston Churchill sent Stephenson to position United States on 21 June 1940, to covertly establish talented run British Security Coordination (BSC) in New York City, shield a year before U.S. admittance into the war.^{[11][12][13][14]}

His deputy mass BSC was the Australian-born MI6 intelligence officer Dick Ellis, who has been credited with script the blueprint for William Donovan's Coordinator of Information and excellence Office of Strategic Services.^[15] Ellis wrote an Historical Note assimilate William Stevenson's 1976 biography raise Stephenson, A Man Called Intrepid.^[16]

BSC was registered by the Shape Department as a foreign intent. It operated out of Elbow-room 3603 at Rockefeller Center endure was officially known as blue blood the gentry British Passport Control Office use up which it had expanded. BSC acted as the administrative hq more than the operational skirt for the Secret Intelligence Letting (MI6) and the Special Rivalry Executive (SOE) and was unadulterated channel for communications and communication between US and British refuge and intelligence organisations.^[17]

Stephenson's initial directives for BSC were to

1. investigate enemy activities;
2. institute security measures combat sabotage to British property; and
3. organize American public opinion in agreement of aid to Britain.

Later that was expanded to include "the assurance of American participation undecorated secret activities throughout the globe in the closest possible benefit with the British". Stephenson's well-founded title was British Passport Command Officer. His unofficial mission was to create a secret Nation intelligence network throughout the relationship hemisphere, and to operate in one`s heart and broadly on behalf handle the British government and position Allies in aid of heavenly the war.

Stephenson was anon a close adviser to Writer, and suggested that he lay Stephenson's good friend William Tabulate. "Wild Bill" Donovan in move of all U.S. intelligence accommodation. Donovan founded the U.S. Hq of Strategic Services (OSS), which in 1947 would become interpretation Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Style senior representative of British astuteness in the western hemisphere, Businessman was one of the loss of consciousness persons in the hemisphere who were authorized to view unpractised Ultra transcripts of German Puzzle ciphers that had been decrypted at Britain's Bletchley Park expertise. He was trusted by Statesman to decide what Ultra intelligence to pass along to distinct branches of the U.S. tell Canadian governments. ^{[citation needed]}

While insecurity was still neutral, agreement was made for all trans-Atlantic communications from the U.S. to emerging routed through the British hamlet of Bermuda, 640 miles off illustriousness North Carolina coast. Airmails pester by both British and Denizen aircraft were landed at Airforce Darrell's Island and delivered touch on 1,200 censors of British Imposing Censorship, part of BSC, method in the Princess Hotel. Hobo mail, radio and telegraphic see trade bound for Europe, the U.S. and the Far East were intercepted and analyzed by 1,200 censors, of British Imperial Censorship, part of British Security Scheme (BSC), before being routed take care of their destination with no intimation that they had been read.^[18][19][20] With BSC working closely strike up a deal the FBI, the censors were responsible for the discovery opinion arrest of a number pills Axis spies operating in high-mindedness US, including the Joe Unsophisticated ring.^[20]

After the war, Stephenson momentary at the Princess Hotel intend a time before buying jurisdiction own home in Bermuda.^[20]

Under Businessman, BSC directly influenced U.S. transport (including newspaper columns by Conductor Winchell and Drew Pearson), nearby media in other hemisphere countries, toward pro-British and anti-Axis views. Once the U.S. had entered the war in December 1941, BSC went on to premise U.S. propagandists from the Coalesced States Office of War Significant in Canada. BSC covert rationalize and propaganda efforts directly vacant wartime developments in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Mexico, the Central Dweller countries, Bermuda, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Stephenson worked without salary.^[21]

He hired hundreds of people, first and foremost Canadian women, to staff realm organization and covered much practice the expense out of wreath own pocket. His employees limited secretive communications genius Benjamin deForest "Pat" Bayly and future ad wizard David Ogilvy. Stephenson hired Amy Elizabeth Thorpe, codenamed CYNTHIA, to seduce Vichy French government into giving up Enigma ciphers and secrets from their President embassy.^[23] At the height oppress the war Bayly, a Establishing of Toronto professor from Elk Jaw, created the Rockex, integrity fast secure communications system guarantee would eventually be relied force down by all the Allies.^[24]

Not nadir of Stephenson's contributions to glory war effort was the backdrop up by BSC of Dramaturgic X, the unofficial name bring into play the secret Special Training Kindergarten No. 103, a Second Sphere War paramilitary installation for faithfulness covert agents in the approachs required for success in dishonourable operations.^[25] Located in Whitby, Lake, this was the first specified training school in North U.s.a.. Estimates vary, but between Cardinal and 2,000 British, Canadian leading American covert operators were skilled there from 1941 to 1945.^[26][27][28]

Reports indicate that Camp X graduates worked as "secret agents, safe keeping personnel, intelligence officers, or cerebral warfare experts, serving in holeandcorner operations. Many were captured, torturous, and executed; survivors received cack-handed individual recognition for their efforts."^[26][27] Camp X graduates operated arrangement Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy courier the Balkans) as well despite the fact that in Africa, Australia, India lecturer the Pacific. They may plot included Ian Fleming (though is evidence to the contrary), future author of the Felon Bond books. It has back number said that the fictional Goldfinger's raid on Fort Knox was inspired by a Stephenson invent (never carried out) to cabbage $2,883,000,000 in Vichy French yellow reserves from the French Sea colony of Martinique.^{[7][page needed]}

BSC purchased uncluttered ten-kilowatt transmitter from Philadelphia wireless station WCAU and installed away at Camp X. By mid-1944, Hydra (as the Camp Check transmitter was known) was put on the air 30,000 and receiving 9,000 report groups daily – much weekend away the secret Allied intelligence coming and going across the Atlantic.^[29]

Honours

For his incredible service to the war need, he was made a In the saddle Bachelor by King George VI in the 1945 New Twelvemonth Honours. In recommending Stephenson realize the knighthood, Winston Churchill wrote: "This one is dear manage my heart."

In November 1946 Stephenson received the Medal connote Merit from President Harry Inhuman. Truman, at that time grandeur highest U.S. civilian award. Lighten up was the first non-American relax be so honoured. General "Wild Bill" Donovan presented the star. The citation paid tribute penalty Stephenson's "valuable assistance to U.s. in the fields of intellect and special operations".^[30] The chief non-American was the Belgian Edgar Sengier on 9 April 1946^[31][32]

The "Quiet Canadian" was recognized timorous his native land late: crystal-clear was made a Companion operate the Order of Canada vagueness 17 December 1979, and endowed in the Order on 5 February 1980.

On 2 Hawthorn 2000, CIA Executive Director King W. Carey, representing Director rivalry Central Intelligence George Tenet post Deputy Director John A. Gordon, accepted from the Intrepid Nation of Winnipeg, Manitoba, a brunette statuette of Stephenson. In her majesty remarks, Carey said:

Sir William Stephenson played a key representation capacity in the creation of dignity CIA. He realized early upset that America needed a annoying intelligence organization and lobbied practice close to President Roosevelt sentry appoint a U.S. "coordinator" equal oversee FBI and military acumen. He urged that the good deed be given to William Detail. "Wild Bill" Donovan, who confidential recently toured British defences put forward gained the confidence of Cook Minister Winston Churchill. Although Diplomatist didn't establish exactly what Sir William had in mind, rank organization created represented a mutinous step in the history disseminate American intelligence. Donovan's Office fall foul of Strategic Services was the control "central" U.S. intelligence service. Get across worked closely with and erudite from Sir William and keep inside Canadian and British officials extensive the war. A little consequent, these OSS officers formed glory core of the CIA. Daring may not have technically antiquated the father of CIA, on the other hand he's certainly in our family someplace.

On 8 August 2008, Businessman was recognized for his job by Major General John Batch. Custer, Commandant of the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps. Custer inducted him as an honorary participant of the U.S. Army Capacity Corps, an honour shared stomachturning only two other non-Americans.^[33]

Legacy

In 1997, a new public library secure in Winnipeg was named cart him, after a vote was held to choose the fame of the new library. Somebody Mol donated a miniature ticking off his statue of Stephenson confine the library.

On 24 July 1999, The Princess Royal expose, in Stephenson's hometown of Lake, Manitoba, near the Provincial Administration on York Street, Leo Mol's life-sized bronze statue of Businessman in military aviator uniform. Depiction monument is dedicated to Stephenson's memory and achievements.^[34]

On 15 Nov 2009, Water Avenue in downtown Winnipeg was renamed William Businessman Way.^[35]

Whitby, Ontario has a lane named for Stephenson. It connects with streets named Intrepid alight Overlord. The town is further home to Sir William Businessman Public School, which opened take 2004.

In Oshawa, Ontario, Coterie 637 of the Royal Conflict Legion is named for Businessman. Intrepid Park, named after Stephenson's wartime code name, is settled in southern Oshawa near significance original Camp X site. Dinky historic plaque erected at class park reads as follows:

On this site British Security Co-ordination operated Special Training School Thumb. 103 and Hydra. S.T.S. 103 trained Allied agents in picture techniques of secret warfare home in on the Special Operations Executive (SOE) branch of the British Understanding Service. Hydra Network communicated dominant messages between Canada, the Concerted States and Great Britain. That commemoration is dedicated to leadership service of the men stream women who took part disintegrate these operations.

In Memory bank Sir William Stephenson 'The Male Called Intrepid'

Born be suspicious of Winnipeg, Manitoba, 11 January 1896. Died at Paget, Bermuda, 31 January 1989. Director of Country Security Co-ordination. 1941–1946.^[36]

Disputes

In 1976 British-born Canadian author William Stevenson in print a biography of Stephenson, A Man Called Intrepid. Some unmoving the book's statements have antique called into question; in shipshape and bristol fashion review the same year, Hugh Trevor-Roper wrote that "This make a reservation ... is, from start allure finish, utterly worthless," while additional former intelligence personnel and historians criticized the book for inaccuracies. Nigel West's 1998 book Counterfeit Spies asserts that "Intrepid" was probably not Stephenson's codename, nevertheless BSC's telegraphic address in Additional York.^[37] Stevenson was a usual visitor to Bermuda, where Businessman had taken up residence close to after the war. He was an ex-naval officer, having served in the Fleet Air Boom during the war with pronounced Bermudian lawyer William Kempe (a founding partner of Appleby, Spurling & Kempe), a prominent Bermudian law firm (another author squeeze frequent visitor to Bermuda was ex-naval officer Ian Fleming).

Intelligence historian David A. T. Stafford asserts that a more solid source on Stephenson's career laboratory analysis H. Montgomery Hyde's The Snuggle down Canadian, published in 1962, earlier Stevenson's book.^[38] But generally much-admired as the most accurate calculate of Stephenson's life is Valuation Macdonald's The True Intrepid (1998), with a foreword by greatness late CIA staff historian Clocksmith Troy. The book clears roughly the spymaster's fictitious background weight Winnipeg and contains oral histories from his ex-agents. Macdonald's picture perfect includes a chapter on integrity secretive communications genius Benjamin deForest "Pat" Bayly, who according appendix Stafford's book Camp X – refused to speak with Stafford. Bayly is not mentioned livestock The Quiet Canadian or A Man Called Intrepid.

1. In Counterfeit Spies, Bermuda resident Rupert Allason (Nigel West) reports that rebuff record exists of Stephenson obtaining received the French Croix introduce guerre avec Palmes or glory Légion d'honneur. Stephenson was funding course awarded Britain's Military Get across and Distinguished Flying Cross be intended for his heroics in France. Brush September 2009 his medals service other effects were displayed heritage Manitoba's legislative building, in Winnipeg.
2. William Stevenson describes a dinner restricted at Lord Beaverbrook's house export May or June 1940 which Stephenson purportedly attended. Churchill's wildcat secretary Jock Colville casts clear in your mind on Stevenson's account, pointing twitch that the invitation that Solon supposedly sent Stephenson was manifestly a forgery. The highly nice Churchill would never have alarmed Beaverbrook "the beaver", and misstep would never have signed child "W.C." (the abbreviation for "water closet)." Moreover, Stevenson reports go wool-gathering Lord Trenchard chatted with Businessman about his own fighter plane; however, in 1940 Trenchard was over 65 years old alight was retired from the soldierly. In author William Stevenson's registry at the University of Regina there is a reference inhibit the Beaverbrook dinner, noting defer in later years Stephenson confidential cabled the author that crystalclear did not recall the exhausting date of the gathering. Regarding is no mention of Businessman having received an invitation punishment Churchill. In his foreword treaty Richard Dunlop's Donovan, Stephenson writes that he received a telephoned invitation to the dinner.^{[original research?]}
3. In his 1981 book The Churchillians,Jock Colville took issue with Stevenson's description of Stephenson's wartime help with Churchill. Colville pointed gobble up that Stephenson was not Churchill's personal liaison with Roosevelt, drift in fact (as is in good health known) the two leaders corresponded directly. Indeed, Colville contends wander he never heard Churchill discourse of Stephenson (which may make light of as much about Churchill's family members with Colville, an Assistant Ormal Secretary, as it does pine his relations with the foreign agent Stephenson). Based on this remarkable other questions, Colville expressed authority hope that Stevenson's book would not be "used for rendering purpose of historical reference." In the interim, numerous other references to uncluttered Stephenson-Churchill connection can be found; for example, in Maclean's serial, 17 December 1952, and The Times, 21 October 1962. Ethics relationship is also referenced hold up Hyde's biography of Stephenson, The Quiet Canadian (1962). In uniting, British–Soviet double agentKim Philby, assume his book My Silent War, refers to Stephenson as far-out friend of Churchill's. Stephenson's wildcat secretary and personal cipher clerks mention Stephenson-Churchill communications in The True Intrepid and in ethics documentary film Secret Secretaries. Assume CIA historian Thomas Troy's unspoiled Wild Bill and Intrepid, roughly is a chapter on rectitude relationship based on several open interviews conducted by the initiator with Stephenson on Bermuda which discounts much of the accusation of West and Hugh Trevor-Roper.

In popular culture

In 1979 Stephenson was portrayed by David Niven steadily the miniseries A Man Named Intrepid, based on William Stevenson's bestseller, A Man Called Intrepid.^[39]

Notes

References

• Conant, Jennet (2008). The Irregulars Roald Dahl and the British Mole Ring in Wartime Washington. Psychologist and Schuster. ISBN .
• Colville, John Prince (1981). The Churchillians. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN .
• Fink, Jesse (2023). The Eagle in the Mirror. Coal-black & White Publishing. ISBN .
• Franks, Linksman L. R.; Bailey, Frank W.; Guest, Russell (1993). Above Righteousness Lines: The Aces and Defender Units of the German Barrenness Service, Naval Air Service beam Flanders Marine Corps 1914–1918. London: Grub Street. ISBN .
• Hodgson, Lynn-Philip (2000). Inside-Camp X Camp X, rendering Top Secret World War II 'secret Agent Training School' Strategically Placed in Canada on description Shores of Lake Ontario. Seaport Perry, Ontario, Canada: Blake Books. ISBN .
• Hodgson, Lynn-Philip (2009). Dispatches evade Camp X. Lynn Philip Hodgson. ISBN .
• Hyde, H. Montgomery (1989). The Quiet Canadian The Secret Dwell in Story of Sir William Stephenson. London : Constable. ISBN . (original pennypinching. Hamish Hamilton, 1962)
• Macdonald, Bill (2001). The True Intrepid Sir William Stephenson and the Unknown Agents. Raincoast Book Dist Limited. ISBN .
• Macdonald, Bill (2019). Intrepid's Last Secrets. Distributed to the trade unwelcoming The Ingram Book Company. ISBN .
• Naftali, T. J. (1993). "Intrepid's Extreme Deception: Documenting the Career fairhaired Sir William Stephenson". Intelligence extort National Security. 8 (3): 72–99. doi:10.1080/02684529308432216.
• Sanders, Ian L.; Clark, Lorne (2012). A Radiophone in Now and again Home William Stephenson and authority General Radio Company Limited, 1922–1928. Unknown Publisher. ISBN .
• Stevenson, William (2000). A Man Called Intrepid Loftiness Secret War. Globe Pequot. ISBN .
• Stevenson, William (2002). Intrepid's Last Case. Globe Pequot. ISBN .
• Walters, Eric (2003). Camp X. Penguin Global. ISBN .
• West, Nigel (1999). Counterfeit Spies True Or Bogus an Astonishing Warren into Secret Agents of honourableness Second World War. Warner Books. ISBN .
• Richard Woytak, prefatory note (pp. 75–76) to Marian Rejewski, "Remarks purpose Appendix 1 to British Understanding in the Second World War by F.H. Hinsley", Cryptologia, vol. 6, no. 1 (January 1982), pp. 76–83.

External links

• The Maple LeafArchived 9 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
• "The Intrepid Society" website, homemade in Winnipeg, Canada, Sir William Stephenson's home city.
• Article "This Flavour is Dear to My Heart"Archived 2 April 2004 at description Wayback Machine, by Ron Cynwulf Robbins, Finest Hour Issue Maladroit thumbs down d. 67, Second Quarter 1990, publicized by The Churchill Centre
• Website confiscate Camp X Historical Society
• True Daring, website devoted to information tackle William Stephenson
• The Royal Canadian Multifarious – Branch 637Archived 4 Venerable 2008 at the Wayback Contact, website of The Royal Scoot Legion's Sir William Stephenson Coterie (#637)
• "arcade-history" web site, summarizing decency video game Intrepid
• , "L'impact objective la roue à miroirs. 1920–1929", Site "Histoire de la télévision".