The Cambridge Spies continue to fascinate - but one of them, John Cairncross, has always been more of an enigma than the others. He worked alone and was driven by his hostility to Fascism rather than the promotion of Communism. During his war-time work at Bletchley Park, he passed documents to the Soviets which went on to influence the Battle of Kursk.
In this Talks at Google event, historian Geoff Andrews introduces his new book, "Agent Moliere: The Life of John Caincross, the Fifth Man of the Cambridge Spy Circle", the first full account of Cairncross’ spying and of his subsequent confession and dramatic public exposure. With access to the Cairncross papers, and following discussions with Cairncross’ friends, relatives and former colleagues, a complex individual emerges - a scholar as well as a spy, whose motivations have often been misunderstood. After his resignation from the Civil Service, Cairncross moved to Italy and rebuilt his life as a foreign correspondent, editor and university professor. This gave him new circles and friendships - which included the writer Graham Greene - while he always lived with the fear that his earlier espionage would come to light.
Get the book here: goo.gle/32k54VR.