Elizebeth Friedman

Cryptanalyst who cracked Nazi codes and co-founded modern cryptography, yet remained uncredited for decades.

Elizebeth Friedman (1892–1980) was a trailblazing American cryptologist whose work during WWII decrypted enemy communications, thwarting smuggling rings and espionage. She and her husband William Friedman established the foundation of modern codebreaking.

In the 1920s, Friedman dismantled a network of rum-runners’ codes during Prohibition. Later, her team cracked the ‘Enigma for spies’ used by Nazi agents in South America, leading to the arrest of 33 operatives. Despite her achievements, J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI claimed credit publicly.

Declassified documents in the 21st century finally revealed her contributions. The George C. Marshall Foundation preserves her archives. Her story underscores the hidden role of women in STEM.