The business of Intelligence is one of the oldest professions in the world. Throughout history it has attracted a unique and diverse group of selfless individuals willing to take repeated risks for this Country, often without ever being recognized or acknowledged for their contributions. Read about the women who chose this profession or were chosen by it. Additional reference materials are cited for further research.

U.S. Revolutionary War
Ann Bates
British Spy
Revolutionary War



U.S. Civil War
Mary Elizabeth Bowser
Union Spy
U.S. Civil War
Belle Boyd
Confederate Spy
U.S. Civil War
Pauline Cushman
Union Spy
U.S. Civil War
Emma S. Edmonds
Union Spy
U.S. Civil War
Rose O'Neal Greenhow
Confederate Spy
U.S. Civil War
Nancy Hart
Confederate Spy
U.S. Civil War
Harriet Tubman
Union Spy
U.S. Civil War
Loreta Velazquez
Confederate Spy
U.S. Civil War
Elizabeth Van Lew
Union Spy
U.S. Civil War



World War I
Edith Cavell
Allied Spy
World War I
Mata Hari
German Spy
World War I



World War II
Virginia Hall
Allied Spy
World War II
Jacqueline Nearne
Allied Spy
World War II
Odette Sansom
Allied Spy
World War II
"Sonia"
Soviet Spy
World War II
Violette Szabo
Allied Spy
World War II



Cold War Era (1947-2000)

Judith Coplon
Soviet Spy
Cold War Era
Maria Knuth
Soviet Spy
Cold War Era