Rudolf abel biography

(1903-1971)

Who Was Rudolf Abel?

Rudolf Abel was born William Fisher in England in 1903. Operating as a Soviet spy in New York City, he was imprisoned for espionage following a high-profile trial in 1957.

In 1962, he was released to the Soviet Union in exchange for captured U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers.

Rudolf abel biography

The longtime intelligence operative died in Moscow in 1971, his story later revived in the 2015 movie Bridge of Spies.

Early Years and Career

Rudolf Abel was born William August Fisher on July 11, 1903, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

His parents Heinrich and Lyubov were Bolshevik supporters from Russia, and young Fisher helped his father by distributing "Hands Off Russia" literature during World War I.

Following his family's return to Russia in 1921, Fisher joined the Komsomol, the Communist Party youth organization, and worked as a translator.

He eventually became fluent in several languages and developed a love for radio communications. After c