Biography
Rudolf Abel — spy with roots in the USSR
Rudolf Abel (born William August Fisher) was a Soviet intelligence officer who worked as an illegal in the United States from 1948 until his arrest by the FBI in 1957. Sentenced to thirty years, he was exchanged for the U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers on the Glienicke Bridge on 10 February 1962. Mark Rylance played him in Bridge of Spies (2015).
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Newcastle upon Tyne (born); Moscow from 1921
Born on 11 July 1903 in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, to Heinrich Fisher, of German origin, and Lyubov Fisher, of Russian descent. The family moved to Moscow in 1921, and he later served in Soviet intelligence.
Family Tree
Subject
Rudolf Abel🇺🇸 USA
↑
Self (formed there)
Heinrich Fisher
Lyubov Fisher
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Origin
Newcastle upon Tyne (born); Moscow from 1921🇷🇺 USSR
Historical context
Soviet Union (USSR) · 1922–1991
Newcastle upon Tyne (born); Moscow from 1921. At the time, this region was one of the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union.
Map: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Soviet illegal intelligence officer in the United States (1948–1957)
02
Cover as a photographer and artist in New York
03
Arrested by the FBI (1957) and sentenced to 30 years
04
Exchanged for Francis Gary Powers on the Glienicke Bridge (10 February 1962)
05
Portrayed by Mark Rylance in Bridge of Spies (2015)
Sources