Conspiracy of Silence: The Secret Life of Anthony Blunt

by Simon Freeman, Barrie Penrose

Traces the life of Blunt, art historian and Russian spy, explains how he became involved in espionage and discusses his relationship to Kim Philby

Genres: Biography, Russia, History, Espionage, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Robert J · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my great-grandmothers was one of Anthony Blunt's maternal aunts . My family thought of him as a shy but charming man who had deep knowledge of old masters & never knew about his politics or his secret activities , esp in MI5 . The revelation in 1979 of his espionage was shocking .

I gather from the late Monsignor Alfred Gilbey
that he was an open Communist at Cambridge ,
keeping company of the CambridgevApostles' Club ,
but that the University authorities were more concerned about Fascism including the Fascism promoted by Blunt's 3rd cousin Sir Oswald Mosley Bt .

The book mentions my gt-gt-grandparents
& their residence at Petersham , setting a context f Blunt's parents .

[Amira Smith]

A hard read