Robert S. Allen
Robert S. Allen | |
---|---|
Born | Herman Greenberg July 14, 1900 Latonia, Kentucky, U.S. |
Died | February 23, 1981 Washington, D.C., U.S | (aged 80)
Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
Education | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
Occupations |
|
Spouses | |
Military career | |
Nickname(s) | Bob |
Allegiance | Croix de guerre |
Robert Sharon Allen (July 14, 1900 — February 23, 1981) was an American journalist, Washington bureau chief for The Christian Science Monitor, and military officer.
Background
Robert Sharon Allen was born on July 14, 1900, in Latonia, Kentucky, to Harry and Lizzie (Elizabeth) Greenberg. Allen's given name was Herman Greenberg. He changed his name and lied about his age in order to join the military on September 6, 1916. His father officially changed his name to match his son's in 1918, saying that there was a German "taint" to the last part of his name and he desired a real American name.[1] After that time all the family except his brother Isador used the name.
Allen married fellow journalist Ruth Finney in 1929, and they remained married until her death in 1979.[2] He later married Adeline Sunday (1921–2017), his former secretary.[3]
Career
Allen joined the army, lying about his age in order to do so,[4] and served in the cavalry during the Pancho Villa Expedition of 1916–17 and in France during World War I.[2]
After the war, he graduated from the
In 1931, Allen was the Washington bureau chief for the Christian Science Monitor. Because the magazine would not publish content critical of
In 1933, Allen worked as a Soviet agent (Sh/147) for $100 a month.[6] According to John Earl Haynes, Harvey Klehr and Alexander Vassiliev in their 2009 book Spies: The Rise and Fall of the KGB in America,[4][7] this was legal for Allen to do, being prior to the passage of the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act, and his motivation is unknown.
In 1933, Allen was a fully recruited and undoubtedly witting Soviet agent. Under the assigned cover name of "George Parker," he covertly exchanged privileged information for money. He provided the Soviets with intelligence about Japanese military fortifications; news about potential appointments in the incoming Roosevelt administration; and information about the US government's plans for diplomatic recognition of the Soviet Union.
In 1937, during the
He served on
In 1947, he edited the book Our Fair City,
According to documents released by the CIA in 2007, Allen was the subject of a wiretap operation, Project Mockingbird. Associated Press reported:
"Under pressure from Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy" in 1962, CIA director John McCone "agreed to tap the telephones of columnists Robert S. Allen and Paul Scott in an effort to identify their sources for classified information which was appearing in their columns," says a memo[13] a decade later to the agency's director."[14]
Death
Allen died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Georgetown on February 23, 1981, at age 80. He also had cancer at the time of his death, and the effects of the disease had forced him to retire the year prior.[2][15]
References
- ^ "Greenberg Now Is Allen". The Cincinnati Enquirer. August 27, 1918. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Eisen, Jack (February 25, 1981). "Robert S. Allen, Colorful Newsman in Washington". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Adeline Rosemary Sunday Allen". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ ISBN 9780300164381. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- ^ "Political Notes: Merry-Go-Round". Time. September 14, 1931. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
- ISBN 9781633884779. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- ^ Ricks, Thomas E. (December 1, 2010). "Patton's Third Army deputy intel officer briefly was on the KGB's payroll". Foreign Policy. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
- ^ Pearson, Drew; Allen, Robert S. (1937). The Nine Old Men. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran & Co.
- ^ "UFS Comic Strip Renamed". Stripper's Guide. January 13, 1940. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ISBN 9780813169125.
- ISBN 9780405058516.
- ISBN 9786900019731.
- ^ "Family Jewels" (PDF). CIA FOIA. CIA. June 26, 2007.
- ^ "Some examples of CIA Misconduct". USA Today. Associated Press. June 27, 2007. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ "Robert S. Allen, Political Columnist". The New York Times. February 25, 1981.