James B. Donovan

James Donovan
Born
James Britt Donovan[1]

(1916-02-29)February 29, 1916
DiedJanuary 19, 1970(1970-01-19) (aged 53)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
EducationFordham University, B.A. 1937
Harvard Law School, LL.B. 1940
Occupation(s)Military officer, lawyer, educator
Known forNegotiating the 1962 exchange of Francis Gary Powers & Frederic Pryor for Rudolf Abel
Spouse
Mary McKenna
(m. 1941)
Children4
Military career
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1943–1945
RankCommander

James Britt Donovan (February 29, 1916 – January 19, 1970)[2][3] was an American lawyer and United States Navy officer in the Office of Scientific Research and Development and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency), ultimately becoming General Counsel of the OSS, and an international diplomatic negotiator.[4]

Donovan is widely known for negotiating the 1960–1962 exchange of captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers and American student Frederic Pryor for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel, and for negotiating the 1962 release and return of 9,703 prisoners held by Cuba after the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion.[5][6] Donovan was portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2015 feature film Bridge of Spies.

  1. ^ Philip J. Bigger (2006). Negotiator: The Life and Career of James B. Donovan. Lehigh University Press. p. 244. ISBN 978-0-934223-85-0.
  2. ^ Donovan, James B. Archived 2014-06-17 at archive.today, socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu, access date 5 June 2015
  3. ^ Dr. James B. Donovan, 53, Dies, New York Times, January 20, 1970, access date June 5, 2015
  4. ^ Stellabotte, Ryan (16 October 2015). "Metadiplomat: The Real-Life Story of Bridge of Spies Hero James B. Donovan". Fordham News.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference NEGOTIATOR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference NATION was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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