The Most Famous American Spy, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the spy you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 6, 2024 07:02
Stories of spycraft and espionage have captivated audiences for generations, often blurring the lines between legend and reality. Ranking the most celebrated American spies can offer clarity and insight into the impact of these shadowy figures on historical and modern geopolitics. It serves as a guide through the intricate tales of deceit, bravery, and intellect.
By participating in this ranking, users are able to voice their opinions on who they believe truly made a mark in the world of espionage. Each vote helps shape a clearer collective perspective on these enigmatic individuals, providing a richer understanding of their roles and legacies. This interactive experience allows users to engage with history in a dynamic and meaningful way.
Who Is the Most Famous American Spy?
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112votes
staff, Federal Bureau of Investigation · Public domainAldrich Ames is a former CIA officer who was convicted of spying for the Soviet Union and Russia. He betrayed the identities of numerous CIA agents, resulting in at least 10 deaths.Aldrich Ames in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous CIA agent
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous traitor
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227votesRobert Hanssen - another former FBI agent who spied for the Soviet Union and Russia. He provided classified information for over 20 years and was ultimately caught in 2001.Robert Hanssen in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous traitor
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous snitch
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37votes
U.S. Navy · Public domainJonathan Pollard is a former US Navy analyst who was convicted of spying for Israel in the 1980s. He provided classified information on US intelligence operations to Israel, resulting in one of the worst intelligence breaches in US history. -
414votes
The National Archives UK · Public domainKlaus Fuchs
Klaus FuchsKlaus Fuchs is a German-born physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II. He was later revealed to have been a spy for the Soviet Union, passing on valuable information about the atomic bomb.Klaus Fuchs was a German-born physicist and Soviet spy who played a crucial role in passing atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union during the Manhattan Project.- Nationality: German
- Occupation: Physicist
- Affiliation: Soviet Union
- Espionage Operation: Soviet atomic bomb spy ring
- Targeted Information: Atomic bomb secrets
Klaus Fuchs in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous nuclear engineer
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522votesJulius and Ethel Rosenberg is a married couple who were convicted of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union in the early 1950s. They were executed in 1953, becoming the first civilians to be executed for espionage in US history.Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous traitor
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63votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainGeorge Blake is a British spy who worked for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He provided valuable information to the KGB for over a decade before defecting to the Soviet Union in 1963. -
73votes
Richard Sorge
Richard SorgeRichard Sorge is a German spy who worked for the Soviet Union during World War II. He operated as a journalist in Japan and provided critical intelligence on Japan's plans to attack the Soviet Union.Richard Sorge was a Soviet intelligence officer who operated undercover as a journalist in both Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan during World War II. He is considered one of the most successful spies in history.- Nationality: German/Soviet
- Aliases: Ramsay
- Cover Occupation: Journalist
- Espionage Operations: Germany and Japan
- Affiliation: Soviet Union
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82votesSydney Reilly is a British spy who operated in the early 20th century. He was known as the "Ace of Spies" and was involved in numerous espionage operations, including attempts to overthrow the Bolshevik government in Russia.
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910votesWilliam Donovan - the founder of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA. Donovan was involved in numerous espionage operations during World War II and is often credited with laying the groundwork for modern American intelligence operations.William Donovan in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous CIA agent
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105votesEdward Snowden is a former NSA contractor who leaked classified information about US surveillance programs in 2013. Snowden's actions sparked a worldwide debate about privacy and government surveillance.Edward Snowden in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous CIA agent
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Ranking factors for famous spy
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Level of impactThe extent to which the spy's activities and intelligence gathering impacted national security and foreign relations.
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PopularityThe extent to which the spy's identity and actions became well known to the public, either through media coverage or historical records.
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Covert abilitiesThe spy's ability to operate and gather intelligence undetected by foreign adversaries or intelligence agencies.
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Historical significanceThe extent to which the spy's activities were historically significant and contributed to the shaping of American intelligence-gathering strategies.
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Level of riskThe amount of risk and danger the spy put themselves in order to gather intelligence.
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Duration of serviceThe length of time the spy served the American intelligence community and the volume of intelligence they gathered over that time.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous American spy. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Agent is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1565 views
- 105 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Agent once every 24 hours. The rank of each Agent is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous american spy
Background Information: Who is the Most Famous American Spy?
Throughout history, the world of espionage has been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. From James Bond to Ethan Hunt, the public has always been fascinated by the secret lives of spies. However, in the real world, the identities of most spies are kept under wraps, making it difficult to discern who the most famous ones are.
When it comes to American spies, there are a few notable names that immediately come to mind. One of the most famous is Aldrich Ames, who served as a CIA officer during the 1980s and early 1990s. He was ultimately caught and convicted of spying for the Soviet Union, and is widely regarded as one of the most damaging spies in American history.
Another well-known American spy is Robert Hanssen, who worked for the FBI and sold secrets to the Soviet Union and later Russia from 1979 to 2001. He was caught and convicted in 2001, and is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
Of course, these are just a few examples of the many American spies who have operated throughout history. From the Revolutionary War to the Cold War and beyond, the world of espionage has been a fascinating and complex one, full of intrigue, danger, and high-stakes secrets.
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