668 Book and Dagger - The Scholars and Librarians Who Became Spies and Fought the Nazis (with Elyse Graham) | Jane Austen Turns 250
Jan 9, 2025
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Elyse Graham, a historian and professor at Stony Brook University, dives into the surprising world of spies in World War II, revealing how librarians and scholars became vital intelligence assets. As she discusses her book, she explores their elite training, covert operations, and the innovative espionage techniques they employed. Additionally, the conversation celebrates Jane Austen's 250th birthday, highlighting upcoming festivities and humorous fan activities that link her timeless work to modern celebrations.
The episode highlights how academics and librarians unexpectedly transformed into spies during WWII, contributing crucial intelligence efforts for the Allies.
Elyse Graham discusses the profound impact of Jane Austen's upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations, emphasizing her enduring influence on literature and culture.
The narrative reveals how the intelligence practices developed during WWII laid the groundwork for modern strategies employed by intelligence agencies today.
Deep dives
Celebrating Jane Austen's Legacy
Jane Austen's 250th birthday is set to be a significant event in 2025, inspiring various literary celebrations and challenges. Readers are encouraged to engage with all six of her novels as part of the efforts led by organizations like Canterbury Classics. There are plans for activities such as needlework, picnics, and Regency romance shopping, highlighting Austen's enduring impact on literature and culture. The excitement surrounding this anniversary paves the way for new books and discussions about Austen's contributions to the literary world.
The Espionage of Bookish Types
The episode explores an intriguing historical niche where scholars and librarians transformed into spies during World War II. As the United States lacked an official intelligence service, figures like General William Donovan sought out experts from academia to gather essential information. These individuals, often the least expected as spies, utilized their research skills to collect intelligence and document vulnerabilities. The episode presents a captivating narrative about how seemingly ordinary book lovers contributed to significant wartime efforts.
The Role of Literature in Intelligence
Historian Elise Graham sheds light on how the OSS, the forerunner of the CIA, relied on scholars with expertise in literature and humanities to strengthen its analysis and research capabilities. Scholars used their abilities to interpret texts and extract valuable information crucial for wartime strategies. This initiative highlighted a novel approach to intelligence, where understanding of cultural nuances and historical contexts provided essential insights. The development of intelligence practices during this era laid the foundation for modern strategies employed by intelligence agencies today.
Notable Spies in Academia
Elise Graham discusses several figures from her book, such as Joseph Curtis and Adele Khyber, who exemplified the unexpected journeys of academics turned spies. Curtis, a literature professor, was sent to Istanbul under the guise of collecting books, only to turn into a key player in counter-espionage efforts. Khyber, with expertise in archival research, successfully navigated the challenging environments of occupied Europe to capture vital documents for the Allies. Their stories illustrate how skills honed in academic settings proved invaluable in the world of espionage.
The Lasting Impact on Academia
The experiences of these academics during the war significantly influenced American higher education after 1945. Their involvement in intelligence work ushered in new fields such as area studies, emphasizing the importance of language and cultural expertise. Many former spies returned to academia, shaping curricula and enhancing programs that prepared future generations for global engagement. This historical connection between intelligence and education continues to resonate, underscoring the critical role of libraries and scholarly research in national security.
When the U.S. joined the war in the 1940s, it had a problem: its military had virtually no intelligence service. Enter the librarians! In this episode, Jacke talks to Elyse Graham about her work Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II, which tells the story of the efforts to recruit academics and train them for espionage. PLUS a look at some of the upcoming festivities being planned for Jane Austen's 250th birthday.