Historian to discuss birth of espionage in America at two events

Discussion of espionage in the United States today often revolves around the NSA, Edward Snowden, WikiLeaks and the CIA. But in the late 1700s, a tale of espionage and deceitful maneuvering took place that would change the history of the nation and the world. 

The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, in partnership with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, and Foundation, will host “The Fox and the Hound: The Birth of American Spying,” presented by noted author, historian and former U.S. intelligence official Donald Markle. Markle’s keynote presentation, part of the Hauenstein Center’s annual “American Conversations” series, will focus on the constant battle of intelligence between then-General George Washington and British General Charles Cornwallis during the American Revolution. 

Donald Markle

The Fox and the Hound: The Birth of American Spying 

September 15, 7 p.m.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

RSVPs are requested and can be provided here: http://gvsu.edu/s/Gr

The Hauenstein Center will also host a panel presentation with Markle and other experts in honor of Constitution Day titled, “National Security and the Constitution.” The presentation will take place September 16, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Cook-DeWitt Center on Grand Valley’s Allendale Campus.

The panel will feature Markle, along with Gleaves Whitney, Hauenstein Center director, and two experts in national security and intelligence:

— Grand Valley faculty member Jonathan White is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Middle Eastern extremism and religious terrorism. White is author of Terrorism and Homeland Security (2006) and Defending the Homeland (2004). Since 9/11 he has been a frequent advisor to numerous police departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, and U.S. Departments of Justice, State, and Homeland Security. 

— Rebecca McBride is an assistant professor of political science at Calvin College. She previously worked for the U.S. government as a Russian analyst. Her areas of specialization include Russia and the former Soviet Union, the conflict in Chechnya, violent ethnic conflict, and terrorism. McBride’s current work addresses questions surrounding international adoption and the use of network analysis methods to study international politics.

In 2010, Markle donated his collection of reference materials to the Hauenstein Center, creating a renowned collection of code-breaking materials for use by scholars. His book, “The Fox and the Hound: The Birth of American Spying,” will be available for purchase at a book signing at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum following his presentation.

For more information, visit hauensteincenter.org