Revised 10/25/2018
There are restrictions on the letters of recommendations and sensitive salary information.
15049-a, 15049-b, 2016-0075, 2017-0208
This collection was a gift of Ellis Wisner, Frank Wisner, Graham Wisner, and their sister Elizabeth Hazard to the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia on September 5, 2012 (Condolence letters), February 27, 2013, and 2017.
Series 1. Correspondence files, Series 2. Lifetime Files, Series 3. Condolence letters, Series 4. Accretion 1 and 2, Series 5. Accretion 3
Frank Gardiner Wisner who worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for more than two decades was born in 1909 in Laurel, Mississippi and attended boarding school at Woodberry Forest in Orange, Virginia, after completing high school in Mississippi. He obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia (1934) and became an attorney for Carter, Ledyard and Milburn in New York from 1934 to 1947.
His intelligence career began in 1941 as an Officer of the Navy Censor's Office. From 1941 to 1946, he was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility with the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Office of Strategic Services, and the Strategic Services Unit. He received the Legion of Merit award and the Kings Insignia from the British Empire.
In 1948, Mr. Wisner joined the Central Intelligence Agency, serving as Assistant Director for Policy Coordination until 1951, as Deputy Director (Plans) until 1959, and later as Chief of Station, London.
In those demanding and difficult capacities, often under conditions of great stress, Mr. Wisner demonstrated a wide range of the most admirable qualities and talents, which he gave to the service of his country without stint. His breadth and depth of knowledge, his professional competence, his precise judgement, his utter dedication to duty, his imagination, resourcefulness, integrity and courage won the respect of subordinates, peers, and superiors alike. His natural leadership was founded upon an unusually sensitive understanding of other people, as well as upon his own precept and example. Under his able guidance, an important element of the Agency was developed from meager beginnings and achieved substantial accomplishments.
Mr. Wisner's distinguished career, matched by very few other intelligence officers of any country or any time, contributed greatly to the security of the United States, in keeping with the best traditions of patriotic service and reflected high credit on him and the Central Intelligence Agency. (Taken in part from his citation in being awarded the Distinguished Intelligence Medal).
Wisner's early service career was characterized by his outstanding communication skills and superior management style. He openly shared information with his colleagues and was known for his methodical analysis and clarity of thought. He was responsible for gathering information and building communications between the Rumanians, Soviets, and British. He had a close relationship with Rica Georgescu which gave him access to high officials in the Rumanian government. For a time his close work with the Russians allowed him access to their daily bomb information. He obtained permission from the Rumanian government for the United States to evacuate thousands of allied prisoners of war.
He established a program to influence domestic and foreign media against communism. He collaborated closely with newspaper editors and journalists, giving them important public relations information that promoted patriotism. He also oversaw the finances of the CIA and strongly supported pro-American forces in Iran (1953) and Guatemala (1951).
Wisner was passionate about stopping the spread of Communism, which came from his experiences in Rumania when he watched the Soviets plan to take over Eastern Europe. When the Soviets invaded Hungary in 1956, Wisner was devastated that the U. S. did not come to their aid. After this crushing blow, he struggled with illness, received psychological treatment and significantly reduced his workload, although he was still a consultant for the government, and a station chief in London from 1960 to 1962.
After twenty-one years in the government service (from 1941 to 1962) he retired and directed his interests towards private industry where he felt that he could improve international business interests and promote the education of the public, particularly young people, in their knowledge of history and democracy. He was involved in fund raising for St. Antony's College at Oxford, (with President William Deakin), and The Conservation Foundation. He also studied the growth of several profitable companies, carefully invested in their stock and acted as a consultant to promote diversification and growth of the companies. He made investments in oil, land, farms, timber, and paper.
As an attorney, he gave legal advice to colleagues, literary agents, and businesspersons and was an advisor for authors and publishers of novels about spies, former Nazis or world leaders. He helped to ensure that their manuscripts were historically accurate accounts or at least credible to readers. He was also keen to make sure that national security interests were always protected.
He made himself available to others who were interested in a career in the government. He studied resumes and gave very high recommendations to well- educated young people who showed promise. His letters from colleagues and friends reveal that he was a very kind person that cared about the careers of other people. He helped individuals from all over the world and in all positions in life with obtaining citizenship, visas or employment.
He worked under several presidents, Harry S. Truman, David Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson. He also worked very closely with other C.I.A. Directors including Allen W. Dulles, John McCone, and Richard Helms (who was initially Deputy to Wisner), as well as other well-known individuals in intelligence, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ambassadors, diplomats, scholars, and journalists in the major American newspapers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post.
He was also passionate about hunting and he travelled across the country and to Spain several times a year to attend shooting parties while discussing the problems of the world with his close friends. In addition to his love for hunting, he had been a star athlete in track and was eligible for the 1936 Olympics. In October of 1965, he succumbed to the illness that made him escalate between high and low mood swings, by taking his own life. Many of his friends wrote that he was a hero who gave his life for his country.
MSS 15049, Frank Gardiner Wisner Papers, Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
This collection of Frank Gardiner Wisner papers (1909-1997; 10.5 cubic feet) consists of business and personal papers of Frank Gardiner Wisner, who was a Director in the Central Intelligence Agency in the 1950's. Included is an autographed letter signed by John Edgar Hoover and a photocopy of a letter signed by Harry S. Truman.
Correspondence files, 1937-1965, with business, government, media, and personal contacts, which are arranged alphabetically by the correspondent's last name or by the subject matter of the correspondence. The folder descriptions may list many correspondents but are not exclusive. There is also correspondence in the Series 4. Accretions 1 and 2.
The correspondence in the collection relates to ventures in which Wisner was acting as a consultant and an attorney to promote and protect companies in diversifying their interests and making investments for himself and his family. Incorporated into the business correspondence are many letters with agents, diplomats, scholars, and journalists that contain brief references to high-level government officials and important world events. The contents are often cryptic and do not mention specifics e.g. "I agree with what you said the other day" or "with the 3rd sentence of your last paragraph."
Correspondents include or mention C. I. A. Directors, State Department officials, and agents, Allen W. Dulles, John McCone, John Bross, Richard Helms, William Raborn, William J. Donovan, William J. Casey, Charles "Chip" Bohlen, David and Evangeline Bruce, Llewelyn "Tommy" Thompson, Adolph A. Berle, Clark Clifford, W. Averill Harriman, Paul Nitze, Bronson Tweedy, Richard M. Bissell, Jr., Burton Y. Berry, Walt Whitman Rostow, Desmond Fitzgerald, Brigadier General Lauris Norstadt, General Charles Pearre Cabell, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Archibald "Archie" Alexander, Clare Boothe Luce, Gerry Miller, James Jesus Angleton, C. Tracy Barnes, Charles Thayer, Gilbert Highet, Julius "Junky" Fleischman, H. A. R. "Kim" Philby, Oleg Penkovsky, Richard Sorge, and Sam Papich, as well as F. B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover.
Apawamis Club, Julian Amery, Sherman Adams, T. Ault, French Ambassador to the United States Herve Alphand (review of Allen W. Dulles' book "The Craft of Intelligence"), Mme. Nicole Alphand, Hoye Ammidon, W. Barney Arthur, Dillon Anderson, Edward J. Applewhite, A. G. Atwater, Mrs. Dean "Alice" Acheson, and the Atomic Energy Commission (an invitation for Wisner to witness an atomic test explosion.)
The papers came in with general correspondence under the letters A or B etc.. and also had folders for specific names.
Apawamis Club, Julian Amery, Sherman Adams, T. Ault, French Ambassador to the United States Herve Alphand (review of Allen W. Dulles' book "The Craft of Intelligence"), Mme. Nicole Alphand, Hoye Ammidon, W. Barney Arthur, Dillon Anderson, Edward J. Applewhite, A. G. Atwater, Mrs. Dean "Alice" Acheson, and the Atomic Energy Commission (an invitation for Wisner to witness an atomic test explosion.)
Duck hunting, concern about Italy becoming vulnerable to communism, interest by Charles Adams in the Scope Company, and sorrow about the assassination of President Kennedy.
Planning meetings to brief John Cabot Lodge, United States Ambassador to Spain
Wisner seeks approval to represent Aletti's business transactions in Senegal.
Archibald "Archie" Alexander retires as President of the Board of the Free Europe Committee, appointment of John Richardson, Jr. as the new president, and Alexander accepts a new position as Assistant Director for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Mention of Adlai Stevenson, Cord Meyer, Gordon Gray, and C. Tracy [Barnes]
Wisner helps Alim with his citizenship and protects his employment status when Alim became ill.
Alsop criticism of the New Leader attack on Robert Oppenheimer, untrustworthiness of Harvey Matusow, Wisner encourages Alsop to write about the improvements in South Vietnam and a piece on Britain, Libya and the Middle East. Selling of Alsop's book about archaeology, "From the Silent Earth," Tom Wolfe's criticism of Norman Mailer's book, and Wisner very upset about Morris West's novel, "The Ambassador." (Of interest is that Fritz Nolting, the ambassador of Vietnam in 1961 who supported Diem, was a classmate of Frank Wisner at the University of Virginia). Mention of David and Evangeline Bruce, and Isaiah [Berlin] being nervous about giving his talk.
Wisner wants to know Alsop's opinion of Sol Stein's book on "Harvey Matusow's 'False Witness.'" Mention of a serious leak of classified information, suggestions for Alsop's article, "Hogwash," Wisner criticism of The New York Times for not reporting on Senator Fulbright's comments about Cuba, Wisner wants Samuel Pope Brewer to write an article for The Washington Post on Brazil (suggestion that Adolf Berle would write the article), and mention of Carlos Lacerda. Also includes letters with Arthur Krock.
Angleton enjoys friendship with Gordon Gray, Wisner working with Angleton and [Charles J. V. Murphy] on a speech for [Tom H.] and Wisner recommendation of Angleton for membership in the 1925 F Street Club. Angleton mentions his orchid business.
Tribute for Richard Helms (listing of the agency duties of Richard Helms and his nickname, "Honeybucket Dick"), and a proposal that they invite Woodberry Forest schoolmate, and famous songwriter, John Mercer to compose a song for the occasion.
George H. Bookbinder, Edwin De T. Bechtel Esq., (Jack Maher, and Rumanians that Wisner helped including Stefan Dugaesesci, and Dinu Alim), mention of Draza Mihailovic, Charles D. G Breckinridge, Bellevue Medical Center Fund, Andrew H. Berding, David and Evangeline Bruce, William S. Boyd, Charles F. Bound (about Richard Millett), T. Munford Boyd (about Jack Rorimor), Chester Bowles, Pierre Boursicot, Richard M. Bissell, John A. Bross, George E. Brewer, Jr., (nuclear weapons-Soviet Union), J. C. Herbert Bryant (track teammate of Wisner at the University of Virginia), Burton Y. Berry (also a letter to Berry from Chauncey McCormick about the foreign service and art), Bricker Amendment, Walton W. Butterworth (about Arthur Mallet), C. Tracy Barnes, Edward W. Barrett, Joseph Bryan III (visiting and writing about communism in Europe), Mrs. Staige (Lydia) D. Blackford, Stringfellow "Winkie" Barr, Adolph Berle, Robert Blake (passports for Mr. and Mrs. Flood), Thomas M. Bancroft, Eugene Black, John Bruce Lockhart (about Wisner's son, Frank George Wisner II at Rugby School in England), and John Batjer.
Herbert Block (Wisner outraged at the secret trials and executions of Imre Nagy and Pal Maleter during the Hungarian revolution and wants Block to draw cartoons about Kruschnev covered in blood and guilt), David K. Bruce, Joseph and Katherine Bryan III, Norborne Berkeley (nominations for UVA presidency), John Block, Katharine D. Bond, Jack Miller, Samuel R. Milbank, Oakley Brooks, Thomas D. Bourne, J. C. Herbert Bryant, Ellis O. Briggs, Pearl Breckinridge, Thomas Bell, Harry Sears, Alex Brown & Sons, George Gardiner Green (about J. C. Herbert Bryant's Purvis Estate for sale) and Robert Baker. Wisner letter to David Bruce (Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Wisner accepted the job of Chief of the C.I.A.'s London Station).
Stock investments with G. Edward Brooking, Jr., Joseph Bryan (Jefferson Standard and Southern Industries), John H. Bush (European breweries), Hillyer Brown (Middle East and oil wells), Thomas Winfield Blackwell (Annual Report on Gulf Coast Drilling), Eugene R. Black Sr., (discussion of the Middle East), and George E. Brewer (Conservation Foundation). Other correspondents include Richard M. Bissell, Jr., (Joseph Alsop article praising Bissell, and news of Wisner's resignation from the C.I.A. 1962), C. Tracy Barnes, Samuel Pope Brewer (Brewer's ex-wife Eleanor in Russia with H. A. R. "Kim" Philby), Alastair Balfour (grouse shooting properties), Thomas W. Braden (former colleague at the C.I. A. and fund raiser for St. Antony, Oxford), W. T. M. "Thomas" Beale (Minister of Economic Affairs), Michael and Lady Pamela Berry (retirement of Allen W. Dulles and Wisner suggests an interview for them with Dulles), Wisner's new position as Special Assistant to John McCone, Director of the C.I.A., Allen W. Dulles (Wisner criticism of The Times and Lou Herren), British Nursing Associations, John A. Bross (Deputy to the Director of the C.I.A.), David and Evangeline Bruce, and Robert Baker (Wisner praise for President Kennedy's appointments of Walter Rostow, Charles Bohlen, and hope that David Bruce would become Ambassador to the United Kingdom following John Hay Whitney.)
Stock investments and business ventures with Joseph M. Bryan (oil well investments and hunting trip in Spain), Colonel Ronald Bassett (partridge shooting), Alastair Balfour, Esq. (shooting properties), Cecil E. Barnett (oil drilling), Walter L. Ball (geologist for Central Oil Company), H. C. Bailey (oil interests), Robert W. Boyd (Weyerhaeuser stock), G. Edward Brooking, Jr. (Weyerhaeuser, Amoskeag, Fanny Farmer, and Reynolds Tobacco Stock), Howard Brush (Great Northern Paper Stock), George E. Brewer (Conservation Foundation and letter about Dr. Albert Schweitzer), Eugene R. Black Sr., (Conservation Board, the Ford Foundation, and Bill Deakin), John and Mary Charlotte Baker (well wishes and Wisner's review of "The Year of the Rat"), Thomas W. Braden (about "The Invisible Government"), Henry Brandon ("The Year of the Rat" and review included), Ellen Burling (critique of "Prince Eugene of Savoy"), William and Mary Bundy ("Prince Eugene of Savoy"), Richard M. Bissell, Jr. (future plans with the United Nuclear Corporation), Sam Pope Brewer (divorce and custody of his daughter, and Bill Deakin), Lady Pamela Berry, David K. Bruce, George Brown (Labour Party leader in Great Britain and his discussion about Cuba), Thomas M. Bancroft, Adolf A. Berle (comments from Senator Fulbright on Cuba, and mention of Governor Carlos Lacerda on "Meet The Press"), Ambassador Manlio Brosio (congratulations on his appointment to Secretary General of NATO), Mrs. Francis Poe Brawley (St. Timothy's School Reunion), Edward M. Bernstein (Report on the Italian situation), Ella Poe Burling (Wisner's review of "The Craft of Intelligence" by Allen Dulles), J. C. Herbert Bryant, and John Walker.
Topics include Charles Bohlen, Georgy Malenkov, Nikita Krushchev, and discussions about power struggles in the Russian government. Photocopies from the Library of Congress of correspondence between Isaiah Berlin and Joseph Alsop with comments about Russian terrorism. Parts of Berlin's manuscript for Alsop and Francis Haskell. (1972-1978)
2 photographs and m Mostly handwritten notes by Wisner
Folder headings: Brazil, George Brown,Sasha Bruce, William J. Casey, and children (of Frank Wisner)
Adolph A. Berle correspondence about the new Brazilian government including praise for General Carlos Lacerda. Also mentioned are Humberto Castelo Branco, Joao Goulart, Charles F. Adams, Douglas Dillon, Stewart Alsop, and articles and clippings about Brazil's new government. Wisner is concerned about Senator Fulbright's statement regarding Cuba. Other references to Fulbright initiatives are mentioned under Correspondence-Arthur Krock and Cuba; See also Correspondence-F, and Correspondence-H
Correspondence: William Deakin (St. Antonys), family (Chisholm, Knowles, Wisner, and Fanny Farmer Candy Shops
Correspondence: Financial, Elizabeth "Tish" Freeman, Freeport Sulphur Company. There is correspondence from The Reverend Billy Graham who made a bet with Wisner on the outcome of the Princeton-Harvard football game.
Correspondence: Katharine Graham River Club, Gordon & Bowman Gray, Great Northern Paper Company, Nick Henderson ("Prince Eugen of Savoy"), Herbert Hoover, Italy, Itek, and Vane Ivanovic.
Correspondence: John Hopkins University, Arthur Krock (Cuba), Marion Oates Leiter, Clare Boothe Luce, Helen MacInnes (Highet), and James Morgan (McLaurin Farm)
Correspondence: Arthur Mallet, Middle East Crisis, Julian Muller, Frederick A. Praeger, Inc., Raytheon Company, and Rumania.
Correspondence: Harry Sears, Southern Industry, Southern Timber Oil Investment Corporation, and Edward L. Stokes.
Correspondence: Cyrus L. Suzberger (Harpers and [Vladimir] Dedijer), travel, Alfred C. Ulmer, University of Virginia, and F. K. Weyerhaeuser Company.
Correspondence: Wigglesworth (Press ethics), Burke Williamson, Woodberry Forest, and Mladin Zarubica's "The Year of the Rat", with reviews by Frank Gardiner Wisner and related materials on the subject of hunting former Nazi's and specifically the search for Martin Bormann, including a memorandum for Desmond Fitzgerald. Other correspondents include Julian Muller, Helen MacInnes, Henry Brandon, Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, Howard Hunt, Doris Thompson, Joseph Kraft, and John Ellis Knowles.
Lifetime files of Frank Gardiner Wisner including personal papers and business papers. Of interest are manuscript pages from "Secret Powers: International Espionage Before, During, and After the First World War" by Walther Nicolai (Chief of the Intelligence Service of the German High Command)
There are also personal papers including awards, genealogy, Polly Wisner wedding album, manuscript by Walter Nicolai (translated by Gilbert Highet), newspaper clippings, photographs, speech by William J. Donovan, spy investigations (Wennerstroem case and Richard Sorge, United States Navy and Office of Strategic Services, USS Roosevelt, and other miscellaneous papers.
Printed brochures and articles
Condolence letters to the family from around the world, conveying deep sadness and admiration, with many testaments of Wisner's kindness, wit, humility, courage, devotion and leadership. Included is a CD.
Acknowledgement list included.
Condolence letters, list of donations, and guestbook from funeral. There are also condolences on a CD in Series 4 New accretion.
Accretion 1 and 2 (0075 and 2017-0208) of correspondence, personal papers, military papers (Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation reports), photographs, and University of Virginia related materials are in both additions. Of particular note are letters from Richard Helms, Arpad Goncz, and others offering support for Wisner's work in Romania. There is also an account of Frank Wisner's time in the OSS in Eastern Europe during the War, and an interview with Katharine Graham and Wisner's wife, Polly. Also the very first acquisition for this collection is in this series (awards, list of donations to the Law library, photographs and newspaper clippings)
Correspondence from Alexander Chisholm, William P. Bundy, David Ginsburg, Andrew W. Duncan, William J. Casey, Richard Helms, George Kenner,ARpad Goncz; condolences on a CD; Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation reports, interviews, essays, Richard Helms speech, personal papers, and University of Virginia certificates.
Frank Gardiner Wisner photograph albums (honeymooon); and on a mission to Vienna Austria with Averill Harriman.
OSS Mission in Rumania, Katharine Graham interview with Polly Wisner; photographs of the Grahams, Alsops, Bohlens, Joyce families, Allen W. Dulles, and Tracy Barnes, and photograph book. Two folders from original collection of Wisner (awards and personal papers). There is also a photocopy of a letter signed by President Harry S. Truman in Box 20 under recommendations.
This collection is open for research.
This collection was a gift from Ellis Wisner to the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on July 7, 2021.
Frank Gardiner Wisner who worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for more than two decades was born in 1909 in Laurel, Mississippi and attended boarding school at Woodberry Forest in Orange, Virginia, after completing high school in Mississippi. He obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia (1934) and became an attorney for Carter, Ledyard and Milburn in New York from 1934 to 1947.
His intelligence career began in 1941 as an Officer of the Navy Censor's Office. From 1941 to 1946, he was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility with the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Office of Strategic Services, and the Strategic Services Unit. He received the Legion of Merit award and the Kings Insignia from the British Empire.
In 1948, Mr. Wisner joined the Central Intelligence Agency, serving as Assistant Director for Policy Coordination until 1951, as Deputy Director (Plans) until 1959, and later as Chief of Station, London.
In those demanding and difficult capacities, often under conditions of great stress, Mr. Wisner demonstrated a wide range of the most admirable qualities and talents, which he gave to the service of his country without stint. His breadth and depth of knowledge, his professional competence, his precise judgement, his utter dedication to duty, his imagination, resourcefulness, integrity and courage won the respect of subordinates, peers, and superiors alike. His natural leadership was founded upon an unusually sensitive understanding of other people, as well as upon his own precept and example. Under his able guidance, an important element of the Agency was developed from meager beginnings and achieved substantial accomplishments.
Mr. Wisner's distinguished career, matched by very few other intelligence officers of any country or any time, contributed greatly to the security of the United States, in keeping with the best traditions of patriotic service and reflected high credit on him and the Central Intelligence Agency. (Taken in part from his citation in being awarded the Distinguished Intelligence Medal).
Wisner's early service career was characterized by his outstanding communication skills and superior management style. He openly shared information with his colleagues and was known for his methodical analysis and clarity of thought. He was responsible for gathering information and building communications between the Rumanians, Soviets, and British. He had a close relationship with Rica Georgescu which gave him access to high officials in the Rumanian government. For a time his close work with the Russians allowed him access to their daily bomb information. He obtained permission from the Rumanian government for the United States to evacuate thousands of allied prisoners of war.
He established a program to influence domestic and foreign media against communism. He collaborated closely with newspaper editors and journalists, giving them important public relations information that promoted patriotism. He also oversaw the finances of the CIA and strongly supported pro-American forces in Iran (1953) and Guatemala (1951).
Wisner was passionate about stopping the spread of Communism, which came from his experiences in Rumania when he watched the Soviets plan to take over Eastern Europe. When the Soviets invaded Hungary in 1956, Wisner was devastated that the U. S. did not come to their aid. After this crushing blow, he struggled with illness, received psychological treatment and significantly reduced his workload, although he was still a consultant for the government, and a station chief in London from 1960 to 1962.
After twenty-one years in the government service (from 1941 to 1962) he retired and directed his interests towards private industry where he felt that he could improve international business interests and promote the education of the public, particularly young people, in their knowledge of history and democracy. He was involved in fund raising for St. Antony's College at Oxford, (with President William Deakin), and The Conservation Foundation. He also studied the growth of several profitable companies, carefully invested in their stock and acted as a consultant to promote diversification and growth of the companies. He made investments in oil, land, farms, timber, and paper.
As an attorney, he gave legal advice to colleagues, literary agents, and businesspersons and was an advisor for authors and publishers of novels about spies, former Nazis or world leaders. He helped to ensure that their manuscripts were historically accurate accounts or at least credible to readers. He was also keen to make sure that national security interests were always protected.
He made himself available to others who were interested in a career in the government. He studied resumes and gave very high recommendations to well- educated young people who showed promise. His letters from colleagues and friends reveal that he was a very kind person that cared about the careers of other people. He helped individuals from all over the world and in all positions in life with obtaining citizenship, visas or employment.
He worked under several presidents, Harry S. Truman, David Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson. He also worked very closely with other C.I.A. Directors including Allen W. Dulles, John McCone, and Richard Helms (who was initially Deputy to Wisner), as well as other well-known individuals in intelligence, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ambassadors, diplomats, scholars, and journalists in the major American newspapers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post.
He was also passionate about hunting and he travelled across the country and to Spain several times a year to attend shooting parties while discussing the problems of the world with his close friends. In addition to his love for hunting, he had been a star athlete in track and was eligible for the 1936 Olympics. In October of 1965, he succumbed to the illness that made him escalate between high and low mood swings, by taking his own life. Many of his friends wrote that he was a hero who gave his life for his country.
MSS 15049, Frank Gardiner Wisner papers, Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.
Correspondence of Frank Gardiner Wisner including condolence letters from Sir Isaiah Berlin, and commemorative addresses about him, Wisner Memorial Fund, documents about his death, narrative of hepaptitis, and photograph.