Episode Summary: "Book and Dagger - The Scholars and Librarians Who Became Spies and Fought the Nazis"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The History of Literature
• Host/Author: Jacke Wilson / The Podglomerate
• Episode: 668 - Book and Dagger - The Scholars and Librarians Who Became Spies and Fought the Nazis (with Elyse Graham) | Jane Austen Turns 250
• Release Date: January 9, 2025

Introduction: Celebrating Jane Austen's 250th Birthday

Jack Wilson opens the episode by celebrating the landmark 250th anniversary of Jane Austen. He reflects on the significance of such a milestone, likening it to the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio, which brought about a surge in publications and scholarly attention. Wilson anticipates a similar wave of new books and scholarly discussions surrounding Austen's legacy in the coming year.

Jack Wilson [00:39]: "Hello. Jane Austen turns 250 years old this year. Happy birthday Queen."

He highlights initiatives like Canterbury Classics' reading challenge, urging Jane Austen enthusiasts to read all six of her major works in honor of the celebration. Activities such as needlework, non-fiction reading on Jane, and shopping for Regency romances are also mentioned as part of the festivities.

Transition to Espionage: From Literature to Spies

Wilson smoothly transitions from literature to the episode's main topic: the fascinating history of scholars and librarians who became spies during World War II. He poses the intriguing question:

Jack Wilson [00:39]: "And what happened when some of the most bookish people on the planet entered a world of espionage? Could that be you? Someday, dear listener."

This sets the stage for an in-depth discussion with the episode's guest, Elyse Graham, a historian and professor at Stony Brook University.

Guest Introduction: Elise Graham and Her Book

Elyse Graham joins the podcast to discuss her new book, Book and Dagger - The Scholars and Librarians Who Became Unlikely Spies of World War II. With an illustrious academic background from Princeton, Yale, and MIT, Graham delves into how intellectuals were pivotal in laying the foundations of modern intelligence.

Elise Graham [13:38]: "Mr. Roosevelt called me to Washington and asked me to draft a plan for a new intelligence service. 'Cut to fit global war,' you will."

Graham explains how, in the absence of an established intelligence framework, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tasked General William Donovan with creating an intelligence service from scratch. Donovan's innovative approach involved recruiting professors, archivists, and librarians, individuals whose expertise in literature and research made them ideal for espionage roles.

Transforming Academics into Spies

Amelia Posanza, representing Lavender Public Relations, contributes to the discussion by elaborating on the OSS's (Office of Strategic Services) recruitment strategies. She emphasizes that intellectuals were chosen not for traditional spy skills but for their ability to analyze and extract information from texts and documents.

Amelia Posanza [14:24]: "Donovan, being a lawyer, knew that the first thing that you have to do when you make a decision is to go to the literature, do the reading. So he found people in libraries, in classrooms, in universities, who were used to going to the literature, to doing the reading."

Graham and Posanza discuss how these "library rats" were not only effective in their espionage roles but also instrumental in shaping modern intelligence practices. Instead of relying solely on military-trained operatives, the OSS tapped into the rich knowledge base of the academic world.

Case Studies: Scholars Turned Spies

Joseph Curtis: From Yale Professor to OSS Agent

Joseph Curtis serves as a primary example of this transformation. A literature professor specializing in Renaissance literature at Yale, Curtis was recruited to the OSS under the guise of collecting books for the Yale library. His mission, however, extended beyond mere collection; he was tasked with gathering strategic documents crucial for the war effort.

Amelia Posanza [16:17]: "Ball bearings were used to manufacture fighter planes and tanks and gun carriages and all the moving parts of Hitler's war machine."

Curtis's operations in Istanbul, a neutral ground during the war, involved not just information gathering but also counter-espionage. Despite initial setbacks, including a compromised cover, Curtis excelled in his role, eventually leading the double cross operations that turned enemy spies to the Allied cause.

Sherman Kent: The Profane Historian

Another notable figure is Sherman Kent, a history professor at Yale who became the head of Research and Analysis (R&A) for Europe and Africa in the OSS. Kent bridged the gap between the academic world and the military, advocating for the critical insights that scholars could offer.

Amelia Posanza [38:17]: "Kent, even though he was himself a tweed wearing professor, could have been a drill sergeant. He was brilliant, but he was always looking for a fight."

Kent's aggressive demeanor and deep understanding of historical contexts made him an effective liaison between scholars and military strategists, ensuring that the intellectual assets were effectively utilized.

Adele Kyber: The Master Archivist

Adele Kyber, a PhD in Latin from the University of Chicago, epitomizes the archivist-turned-spy archetype. Tasked with covert operations in Stockholm, Kyber collected and microfilmed a vast array of sensitive documents, including industry directories and underground resistance literature.

Amelia Posanza [44:37]: "She charmed him, and she got permission to see the needed book."

Kyber's exceptional ability to navigate and exploit archival resources without raising suspicion was pivotal in acquiring intelligence that was otherwise inaccessible.

Impact on Modern Intelligence and Higher Education

The collaboration between scholars and the OSS during World War II had lasting effects on both intelligence operations and American higher education. Post-war, many of these intellectuals continued their work within the newly formed CIA, contributing to fields like area studies and open-source intelligence.

Amelia Posanza [48:26]: "They developed new fields, such as area studies... It is, it remains true today that a lot of intelligence gets accidentally revealed, for example, on Instagram, in the background of somebody's picture."

Graham points out that the methodologies developed by these academic spies laid the groundwork for contemporary intelligence practices, emphasizing the importance of open-source information and the integration of subject matter expertise.

Reflections and Modern Implications

Graham reflects on the enduring relevance of her research, drawing parallels between the embattled state of libraries today and their historical significance in national security.

Elise Graham [49:44]: "It's something that's integral to national security. And we learned that at a great cost 80 years ago during the war."

She prompts listeners to consider the vital role that intellectual institutions play beyond education, highlighting their strategic importance in times of conflict.

Conclusion: The Unlikely Heroes of Literature and Espionage

Jack Wilson wraps up the episode by thanking Elyse Graham for her insightful contributions and teasing upcoming episodes that delve into topics like Herman Melville and Shakespeare's tragic art.

Jack Wilson [57:06]: "We'll be back next week. Speaking of Amelia Posanza, you might recall her love for Herman Melville. Well, we have an episode all about Herman Melville on the calendar..."

The episode successfully intertwines the celebration of literary giants like Jane Austen with the lesser-known but equally compelling stories of academics who shaped the course of history through espionage.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack Wilson [00:39]: "Hello. Jane Austen turns 250 years old this year. Happy birthday Queen."
• Elise Graham [13:38]: "Mr. Roosevelt called me to Washington and asked me to draft a plan for a new intelligence service. 'Cut to fit global war,' you will."
• Amelia Posanza [14:24]: "Donovan, being a lawyer, knew that the first thing that you have to do when you make a decision is to go to the literature, do the reading."
• Amelia Posanza [38:17]: "Kent, even though he was himself a tweed wearing professor, could have been a drill sergeant."
• Amelia Posanza [44:37]: "She charmed him, and she got permission to see the needed book."
• Amelia Posanza [48:26]: "They developed new fields, such as area studies... It is, it remains true today that a lot of intelligence gets accidentally revealed, for example, on Instagram..."
• Elise Graham [49:44]: "It's something that's integral to national security. And we learned that at a great cost 80 years ago during the war."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the rich discussions and insights from Episode 668 of The History of Literature, providing listeners with a detailed overview of how literary scholars became pivotal figures in espionage during World War II.