Sidney Reilly
Lieutenant Sidney George Reilly, MC (c. 24 March 1873 – 5 November 1925), famously known as the Ace of Spies, was a Jewish Russian-born adventurer and secret agent employed by Scotland Yard, the British Secret Service Bureau and later the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). He is alleged to have spied for at least four nations. His notoriety during the 1920s was created in part by his friend, British diplomat and journalist Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart, who publicized their thwarted operation to overthrow the Bolshevik regime in 1918.
After Reilly's death, the London Evening Standard published in May 1931 a Master Spy serial imparting his exploits. Later, Ian Fleming would use Reilly as a model for James Bond. Today, many historians consider Reilly to be the first 20th-century super-spy. Much of what is thought to be known about him could be false, as Reilly was a master of deception, and most of his life is shrouded in legend.
Read more about Sidney Reilly: Origins and Youth, Early Life, In London: 1890s, Tsarist Russia and The Far East, D'Arcy Affair, Frankfurt International Air Show, Stealing Weapon Plans, World War I Activity, Ambassadors' Plot, Career With British Intelligence, Death
Famous quotes containing the words sidney and/or reilly:
“Thus, great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes,
Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite:
“Fool,” said my Muse to me, “look in thy heart and write!””
—Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)
“Oh, you cold-blooded English. You’ll be the death of me.”
—Norman Reilly Raine (1895–1971)