James Jesus Angleton, who served as the enigmatic chief of counterintelligence for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1954 to 1975, dedicated the vast majority of his professional life to the clandestine world of espionage. Author Walter Kirn succinctly captured this singular devotion in a recent social media post, stating, "Angleton had no other job," highlighting the all-consuming nature of the former spymaster's career. Angleton's tenure was marked by an intense, often controversial, pursuit of Soviet moles within the agency, a period that profoundly shaped the CIA's internal dynamics during the Cold War.
Born in 1917, Angleton's early life included a foray into literature, where he founded the avant-garde literary magazine Furioso at Yale University. However, his path quickly shifted to intelligence, beginning with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II, the precursor to the CIA. Upon the CIA's establishment, Angleton transitioned into the new agency, becoming a foundational figure and eventually assuming leadership of its counterintelligence operations.
For two decades, Angleton was at the heart of the CIA's efforts to identify and neutralize foreign intelligence threats, particularly from the Soviet Union. His unwavering focus led to the infamous "Molehunt," an extensive internal investigation driven by his deep suspicion of Soviet infiltration. This period saw numerous careers within the CIA derailed by unproven accusations, often based on circumstantial evidence and the testimonies of defectors like Anatoliy Golitsyn.
Angleton's methods and unyielding pursuit of internal threats, while intended to safeguard national security, ultimately led to significant internal strife and a weakening of the agency's capabilities, particularly concerning Soviet intelligence. He earned the moniker "the Ghost" due to his reclusive nature and intense dedication, rarely seen outside his high-security office. This insular existence further underscored the perception of his life being entirely consumed by his intelligence work.
His influential but controversial career concluded in December 1974, when he was forced into retirement amidst the fallout from his mole hunt and broader scrutiny of CIA activities. Despite his official departure, some reports suggest Angleton maintained a connection with the agency into 1975. His legacy remains a subject of debate, symbolizing both the critical importance of counterintelligence and the potential for its unchecked pursuit to cause internal damage.