Anthony Blunt

Born in Bournemouth, England in 1907, the son of an English clergyman.

Moved to Paris with his family in 1911. Returned to England where he graduated from Cambridge University in 1932. Became a Fellow at Trinity College and recruited numerous students into his espionage activities, including Kim Philby, David MacLean and Guy Burgess, with whom Blunt was sexually involved (Blunt, Philby, MacLean and Burgess were four members of the Cambridge Five, England's most notorious spy ring).

Served in the British Army during World War II, stationed in France. Returned to France after the Nazi occupation of France and worked as a counterintelligence officer under MI5. From 1940 to 1945, conveyed documents and top secret information to Soviet handlers. Left MI5 at the end of the war and began developing his career in the area of art history. Became one of the foremost authorities in the field, receiving numerous awards and titles, most notably a Fellow of the British Academy, a professor of Art History at the University of London and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1956.

Is believed by many to have tipped off Kim Philby about the impending arrest of Donald MacLean which lead MacLean and Burgess to flee to the Soviet Union. Was accused of being a spy for the Soviet Union in 1964 by Arthur Martin. Evidence was supplied by an American, Michael Whitney, who claimed that Blunt had recruited him as a KGB agent in the 1930's. Admitted to being the "Fourth Man." Bargained for his freedom by promising to reveal all of his activities and knowledge about espionage activities by the Soviet Union. British officials decided to keep his involvement quiet in order to prevent a scandal from erupted regarding a knight of Britain.

Publicly exposed after the British press investigated his possible involvement in espionage. After the book "The Climate of Treason" by Andrew Boyle was published, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was questioned as to the identity of the "Fourth Man." Thatcher identified Blunt by name, during a session of Parliament. Was stripped of his knighthood, titles and prestigious positions. Lived out the rest of his life quietly in disgrace and died in 1983.