Behind the Bastards: Part Two – Robert Maxwell: How Ghislaine Maxwell's Dad Ruined Science

Release Date: May 8, 2025

Introduction

In the second installment of the "Behind the Bastards" series, hosts Robert Evans and Adam Conover delve deep into the tumultuous life of Robert Maxwell, a man whose actions have had lasting repercussions on scientific publishing and beyond. This episode meticulously traces Maxwell's rise from a war hero to a media mogul, highlighting his moral ambiguities and the destructive legacy he left behind.

Early Life and War Period

The story begins in the aftermath of World War II, where Robert Maxwell emerges as a complex figure shaped by his traumatic experiences. Having lost most of his family during the Holocaust, Maxwell grapples with his Jewish heritage while navigating the war-torn landscape of Eastern Europe.

• [04:46] Robert Evans: "He just got nothing but bad news really. He is particularly scarred to hear that his 19-year-old sister Shenya had been arrested in Budapest and likely shot and then tossed into the river."

Maxwell's determination leads him to Berlin, where he assumes the identity of a British officer. His fluency in Russian and combat experience position him uniquely within the British military intelligence framework.

• [06:12] Robert Evans: "He is a war hero. And he is able to take care of his family because, number one, his legal status is super clear."

Post-War Activities and Scientific Publishing

Transitioning from his military role, Maxwell identifies a lucrative but underexplored sector: scientific publishing. Collaborating with Ferdinand Springer, the owner of the world's largest scientific publisher, Maxwell capitalizes on the vast repository of unpublished German scientific literature accumulated during the war.

• [10:14] Unknown Speaker: "And Max, just like a guy, man. The Downfall of the Third Reich and the Holocaust and all that. Really bad for my dog breeding business."

Maxwell's strategic move to secure worldwide distribution rights for German science literature lays the foundation for his future empire, Pergamon Press.

Pergamon Press and Exploitation of Scientific Publishing

Maxwell's ingenuity shines as he revolutionizes scientific publishing. By offering financial incentives to scientists for exclusive publishing rights, Maxwell taps into an unlimited demand fueled by Cold War-era government funding.

• [17:55] Robert Evans: "He starts a company with the goal of shipping Springer's scientific publications over to the UK and finding journals to publish them."

This business model not only ensures rapid dissemination of scientific knowledge but also creates a monopolistic environment where Pergamon Press thrives with astonishing profit margins.

• [36:22] Unknown Speaker: "Like, something along the lines of, hey, really? He's taking some notes."

Maxwell's aggressive expansion strategy leads Pergamon to dominate the scientific publishing landscape, outpacing established giants like Elsevier.

Personal Life and Family Tragedies

Despite his professional successes, Maxwell's personal life is marred by tragedy. The loss of his young daughter to leukemia and his son’s prolonged coma severely strains his marriage and relationship with his children.

• [56:47] Robert Evans: "He and Betty lose their three-year-old daughter to leukemia... This just breaks everyone."

These personal hardships contribute to Maxwell's increasingly erratic behavior and strained familial relationships, painting a picture of a man driven by ambition yet emotionally isolated.

Political Ambitions and the Labour Party

Maxwell's aspirations extend beyond business into the political arena. Identifying as a socialist, he enters the British Labour Party with hopes of ascending to Prime Minister. His tenure is characterized by attempts to modernize the party by undermining traditional union support.

• [58:03] Unknown Speaker: "He identifies as a socialist his entire life."

Despite initial successes, including a seat in Parliament, Maxwell's political maneuvers are met with resistance, ultimately leading to his electoral defeat in 1970.

Rivalry with Rupert Murdoch

Maxwell's ambition brings him into direct competition with media magnate Rupert Murdoch. His unsuccessful bids to acquire major British newspapers like the News of the World and The Sun fuel a longstanding rivalry.

• [68:33] Unknown Speaker: "He considers himself Rupert Murdoch's nemesis."

This rivalry not only highlights Maxwell's relentless pursuit of media dominance but also underscores his inability to maintain sustainable business practices.

Business Downfall and Deception

Maxwell's empire begins to crumble under the weight of unsustainable debt and fraudulent accounting practices. His aggressive acquisitions, such as the purchase of the New York Daily News, exacerbate his financial woes.

• [91:34] Unknown Speaker: "He starts gambling in London casinos... watching James Bond movies while leading takeout."

In a desperate attempt to salvage his faltering businesses, Maxwell resorts to unethical measures, including siphoning funds from pension plans, which devastates numerous employees and retirees.

• [95:21] Unknown Speaker: "He steals nearly half a billion dollars from the pension plan."

These actions culminate in severe investigations that unveil the extent of his financial misconduct.

Death and Legacy

On November 1, 1991, facing insurmountable debts and mounting legal troubles, Robert Maxwell mysteriously dies after falling overboard from his yacht near Tenerife. The circumstances of his death remain shrouded in ambiguity, fueling conspiracy theories about potential foul play.

• [96:03] Robert Evans: "It's perfectly possible either he knew that he was fucked and he wanted to die... or that he had a heart attack because he was super stressed out."

Posthumously, Maxwell's legacy is tarnished by revelations of his financial fraud and the collapse of Pergamon Press, which has left an indelible mark on the scientific community.

• [97:46] Unknown Speaker: "I didn't think I could end with a lower opinion of Gillan Maxwell. I didn't anticipate that."

Maxwell is remembered as a visionary turned villain, whose insatiable ambition not only ruined his own life but also inflicted lasting damage on scientific publishing and countless individuals reliant on his financial stewardship.

Notable Quotes

• [06:12] Robert Evans: "He is a war hero. And he is able to take care of his family because, number one, his legal status is super clear."

• [17:55] Robert Evans: "He starts a company with the goal of shipping Springer's scientific publications over to the UK and finding journals to publish them."

• [36:22] Unknown Speaker: "Like, something along the lines of, hey, really? He's taking some notes."

• [56:47] Robert Evans: "He and Betty lose their three-year-old daughter to leukemia... This just breaks everyone."

• [58:03] Unknown Speaker: "He identifies as a socialist his entire life."

• [68:33] Unknown Speaker: "He considers himself Rupert Murdoch's nemesis."

• [91:34] Unknown Speaker: "He starts gambling in London casinos... watching James Bond movies while leading takeout."

• [95:21] Unknown Speaker: "He steals nearly half a billion dollars from the pension plan."

Conclusion

Robert Maxwell's story is a cautionary tale of how unchecked ambition and unethical practices can lead to personal ruin and widespread harm. "Behind the Bastards" presents a compelling narrative that not only examines Maxwell's intricate involvement in scientific publishing but also underscores the broader implications of his actions on society and the scientific community. Through detailed storytelling and critical analysis, this episode sheds light on the dark side of a man who once appeared to be a war hero turned media tyrant.