Bancroft, Edward

Bancroft, Edward

▪ British spy
born January 9, 1744, Westfield, Massachusetts [U.S.]
died September 8, 1821, Margate, Kent, England

      secretary to the American commissioners in France during the American Revolution who spied for the British.

      Although he had no formal education, Bancroft assumed the title and style of “Doctor.” In 1769 he established his credentials as a scientist with the publication of his “Essay on the Natural History of Guiana.” About 1770 he went to England, where he became friendly with Benjamin Franklin (Franklin, Benjamin) during one of Franklin's early missions to London. Bancroft became an adherent of the American cause and returned to the colonies. As a result of his friendship with Franklin he accompanied Franklin and the two other American commissioners to France in 1776. In France Bancroft was contacted by Paul Wentworth, an American-born loyalist who headed a ring of loyalist spies for the British. By December of that year Bancroft had begun receiving a salary from the British. Between 1777 and 1783 he reported every movement of Franklin and the other Americans to the British, writing his reports in invisible ink and relaying them by means of a dead drop. Bancroft's information included the details of treaties and the movement of ships and troops from France to America. To avoid suspicion Bancroft made several trips to Britain ostensibly to spy on the British; they provided him with harmless or false information and once pretended to arrest him.

      In 1783 Bancroft moved to England, primarily to preserve his British citizenship and the pension due him for his secret service. He continued to correspond with Franklin, who never suspected him. He invented several processes for dyeing textiles and in 1794 wrote a work called “Experimental Researches concerning the Philosophy of Permanent Colors.” He gained international fame as a chemist and was made a fellow of the Royal Society. Not until nearly 70 years after his death did his role as a British spy become public knowledge.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Edward Nathaniel Bancroft — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Edward Nathaniel Bancroft ( * 1772, Londres 18 de septiembre de 1842, Kingston, Jamaica) fue un médico y naturalista inglés. Estudia en el Colegio St John de la Universidad de Cambridge y obtiene su Bachillerato de… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Edward Nathaniel Bancroft — Edward Bancroft Pour les articles homonymes, voir Bancroft. Edward Nathaniel Bancroft est un médecin et un naturaliste britannique, né en 1772 à Londres et mort le 18 septembre 1842 à Kingston en Jamaïque. Il étudie au St John s College à l… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Edward Bancroft — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Bancroft. Edward Nathaniel Bancroft est un médecin et un naturaliste britannique, né en 1772 à Londres et mort le 18 septembre 1842 à Kingston en Jamaïque. Il étudie au St John s College à l Université de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Edward Bancroft — (January 9, 1744 ndash; September 8, 1821) was an American physician and double agent in the American Revolution. Born in Westfield, Massachusetts, he worked as a spy for Benjamin Franklin when he was secretary to the American Commission in Paris …   Wikipedia

  • Bancroft — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Ann Bancroft (* 1955), amerikanische Polarforscherin und Autorin Anne Bancroft (1931–2005), amerikanische Schauspielerin Dave Bancroft (1891–1972), amerikanischer Baseballspieler Edward Bancroft (Chemiker) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bancroft — may refer to:People* Ann Bancroft, an American explorer * Anne Bancroft, an American actress * Billy Bancroft, Welsh international rugby union player and county cricketer * Dave Bancroft, an American baseball player and member of the Baseball… …   Wikipedia

  • Edward Bancroft — ist der Name folgender Personen: Edward Bancroft (Chemiker) (1744–1821), britischer Arzt und Chemiker Edward Bancroft (Naturforscher) (1772–1842), britischer Naturforscher Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer mit… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Edward L. Ayers — (born January 22, 1953) is the current president of the University of Richmond, having served in this capacity since July 1, 2007. Prior to his appointment, he had been on the faculty of the University of Virginia since 1980, most recently as the …   Wikipedia

  • Edward Ord — Edward Otho Cresap Ord Edward Ord Born October 18, 1818(1818 10 18) Cumberland, Maryland …   Wikipedia

  • Edward Fitzgerald Beale — Edward Fitzgerald Ned Beale (February 4, 1822 – April 22, 1893) was a national figure in 19th century America. He was naval officer, military general, explorer, frontiersman, Indian affairs superintendent, California rancher, diplomat, and friend …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”