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Bad Gays
Episode 6: Sir Antony Blunt
Apr 23, 2019
Join the hosts as they profile Sir Antony Blunt, an art historian with intriguing connections between sexuality and espionage. Discover the double life and espionage activities of Blunt, the consequences he faced after his identity was revealed, and his complicated life and regret. Also, explore the historical link between espionage and homosexuality during the Cold War era.
43:43
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Quick takeaways
- Homosexuality played a significant role in the world of espionage, as both a potential asset and security threat.
- Living a double life as a homosexual individual equipped Anthony Blunt with the necessary skills for operating as a spy within the British establishment.
Deep dives
Anthony Blunt: A Double Life
Anthony Blunt, an art historian and writer, lived a double life as a member of the Cambridge Apostles and a spy for the NKVD, later known as the KGB. Born into a well-off family in 1907, Blunt grew up fascinated with French art and culture due to his upbringing in Paris. He became part of the British establishment and achieved success as an art historian, even curating a groundbreaking exhibition at the Louvre. However, his communist beliefs and connections with fellow Cambridge Apostles led him down the path of espionage for the Soviet Union. Blunt, along with other members of the Cambridge Five, passed significant information to the USSR during World War II, including advance warnings of Operation Barbarossa and Japanese military plans. Blunt managed to avoid prosecution and maintained his prestigious public positions until journalist Andrew Boyle revealed his identity in 1979. He died in 1983, living a life shrouded in controversy.
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Discover
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