James B. Donovan

James Britt Donovan (February 29, 1916 – January 19, 1970) was an American lawyer and United States Navy officer in the Office of Scientific Research and Development and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency), ultimately becoming General Counsel of the OSS, and an international diplomatic negotiator.

James Britt Donovan was born on February 29, 1916, in the Bronx to Harriet (née O'Connor), a piano teacher, and John J. Donovan, a surgeon.

His brother was New York state senator John J. Donovan Jr. Both sides of the family were of Irish descent.

He attended the Catholic All Hallows Institute.

In 1933, he began his studies at Fordham University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1937.

He wanted to become a journalist but his father convinced him to study law at Harvard Law School, beginning in autumn of 1937, where he completed his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1940.

After graduating from law school, Donovan started work at a private lawyer's office.

He was a commander in the Navy during World War II.

In 1941, Donovan married Mary E. McKenna, who was also an Irish American.

In 1942, he became associate general counsel at the Office of Scientific Research and Development.

From 1943 to 1945, he was general counsel at the Office of Strategic Services.

In 1945, he became assistant to Justice Robert H. Jackson at the Nuremberg trials in Germany.

Donovan was the presenter of visual evidence at the trial.

While he prepared for the trials he also worked as an advisor for the documentary feature The Nazi Plan.

In 1950, Donovan became a partner in the New York-based law office of Watters and Donovan, specializing in insurance law.

In 1957, Donovan defended the Soviet spy Rudolf Abel in what was known as the Hollow Nickel Case after many other lawyers refused.

He later brought in Thomas M. Debevoise to assist him.

Abel was convicted at trial, but Donovan was successful in persuading the court not to impose a death sentence.

He appealed Abel's case to the Supreme Court, which in Abel v. United States was rejected by a 5–4 vote.

Donovan's argument was that evidence used against his client had been seized by the FBI in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Chief Justice of the United States Earl Warren praised him and publicly expressed the "gratitude of the entire court" for his taking the case.

Donovan is widely known for negotiating the 1960–1962 exchange of captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers and American student Frederic Pryor for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel, and for negotiating the 1962 release and return of 9,703 prisoners held by Cuba after the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion.

From 1961 to 1963, Donovan was vice president of the New York Board of Education, and from 1963 until 1965, he was the president of the board.

In 1962, Donovan, who was lead negotiator, and CIA lawyer Milan C. Miskovsky negotiated with Soviet mediators to free captured American pilot Francis Gary Powers.

Donovan successfully negotiated for the exchange of Powers, along with American student Frederic Pryor, for the still-imprisoned Rudolf Abel, whom Donovan had defended five years earlier.

In June 1962, Donovan was contacted by Cuban exile Pérez Cisneros, who asked him to support the negotiations to free the 1,113 prisoners of the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion.

Donovan offered pro bono legal service for the Cuban Families Committee of prisoners' relatives.

A few months later, he traveled to Cuba for the first time.

Donovan managed to create confidence with Castro, who was pleased that Donovan's teenage son traveled with him to Cuba.

On December 21, 1962, Castro and Donovan signed an agreement to exchange all 1,113 prisoners for $53 million in food and medicine, sourced from private donations and from companies expecting tax concessions.

Donovan had the idea to exchange the prisoners for medicine after he had found out that the Cuban medicine didn't help him with his own bursitis.

In June 1962, his alma mater Fordham presented Donovan with an honorary degree.

In 1962, he was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in New York but lost in November 1962 to Republican incumbent Jacob K. Javits.

By the end of the negotiations, July 3, 1963, Donovan had secured the release of 9,703 men, women and children from Cuban detention.

Donovan was once again teamed up with CIA lawyer Milan C. Miskovsky on these negotiations.

For his work, Donovan received the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

In 1968, Donovan was appointed president of Pratt Institute.

He died of a heart attack on January 19, 1970, in Brooklyn's Methodist Hospital in New York, after being treated for influenza.

Donovan was portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2015 feature film Bridge of Spies.

This negotiation and preceding events were dramatized by the 2015 historical thriller Bridge of Spies, by Steven Spielberg.