Shakespeare, Ciphers, and Spies

11/02/22 • 24 min

In this episode, Odd Salon Fellow Eva Galperin brings us a love story with code breaking, featuring Shakespeare, espionage, eccentric millionaires, and the greatest cryptographer you’ve never heard of.
Elizebeth Friedman began her career as we all wish we could: by accepting the somewhat dubious invitation of an eccentric millionaire. She went on to lead an extraordinary life filled with code breaking in two world wars, busting smugglers, and debunking false codes. Along the way she found her soulmate.

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Join us as a Member or on Patreon
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Introducing the Odd Salon Podcast

We are excited to introduce the Odd Salon podcast: Stories from the odd corners of history, science, art, and adventure.
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Next Episode

From Shipwreck to Masterpiece

In this episode, Odd Salon Fellow Kelly Jensen takes us on an ill-fated sea voyage that would go on to inspire one of literature’s greatest works.

In 1820, two thousand miles into the Pacific Ocean, the whaleship Essex was attacked and sunk by an angry whale. Twenty survivors packed into three tiny boats and headed for land. Their horrifying, ill-starred journey would inspire Herman Melville to write Moby Dick (though he left out the cannibalism).

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The Odd Salon Podcast - Shakespeare, Ciphers, and Spies

Transcript

Hi, my name is Eva Galperin and before I begin, I want you to know that this is a love story.

The year is 1916. We're in front of the Newberry Library in Chicago, where 24 year old Elizebeth Smith is being swooped up by a limousine belonging to a man who has just asked her, "Will you come to Riverbank and spend the night with me?"

Elizebeth is five foot three, youthful, and slight. The man is broad, middle aged, and looms over her. This eccentric, rich, and let's face it kind of