The Culper Spy Ring was a group that operated from 1778 to 1780. They were organized by Benjamin Tallmadge who was General George Washington’s intelligence chief. This spy ring was so secret that not even Washington himself knew who the spies were. Two of these spies are now known to be Abraham Woodhull (code name: Samuel Culper Sr.) and Robert Townsend (code name: Samuel Culper Jr.). But one spy was never known beyond the code Agent 355.
While the name of Agent 355 is not known, there are a few things that are known about them. One of the biggest facts that is known is that Agent 355 was a woman. Due to her correspondence, it is widely believed that she was socially prominent and likely lived in New York City.
There are several things that are not fact but have been speculated about pretty heavily. Agent 355 may have had contact with both Major John Andre and Benedict Arnold. There are also several women who may have been Agent 355. Anna Strong was Woodhull’s neighbor and a very strong candidate. Sarah Horton Townsend and Elizabeth Burgin were also strong choices. But there is no positive evidence for any of them and Agent 355’s identity will most likely never be known.
In the end it does not matter if we do not know who this remarkable woman was. Her impact on history is not one that will ever be forgotten. We still see her impact in pop culture today, regardless of whether people understand who Agent 355 actually was.
These roles in pop culture include:
- Y: The Last Man (Vertigo Comics)
- Assassins Creed 3
- Turn: Washington’s Spies (TV series)
- 355 (Universal Pictures film)
Common code numbers from Tallmadge’s code book influenced this agent’s code name as 355 was his code for lady. And just because I find this entire subject fascinating, I am including the original code book image and its translation below.
The translation for the code can be found at the bottom of this website in pdf form: https://www.mountvernon.org/education/primary-sources-2/article/culper-spy-ring-code/
It is fascinating how a woman with no known identity still influences our world and will likely continue to influence our world into the future.
This is beyond interesting!!! I love reading about historical events, so so cool. Thank you.
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Thank you for reading! I am glad you enjoyed it! I love doing these posts!
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Very interesting and fascinating how the spy was a woman. I guess never will ever know the real truth on her identity.
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I know! It’s a shame that we won’t know who she was but amazing that they were able to keep it from everyone including Washington.
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I am not a history fan, but this is so interesting!!!
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Thank you! I hated history in school but realized that there was so much more to history than names and dates.
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It’s great that you are able to share this interesting piece of history.
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Thank you! I was thrilled researching this. I enjoyed it so much!
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I absolutely enjoyed this post out of our history. Not many people know this. I’ve watched one of the series and enjoyed a ton!
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Thank you! I appreciate that you enjoyed it and hope that it helps others learn to enjoy our history as well.
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It’s quite interesting that there is a lot to know about our history and this was quite an interesting read for me since I don’t usually like history.
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Thank you! It means a lot that you feel that way because that was my goal with this blog.
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Interesting that I’d never heard this story before! That was a fascinating read!
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Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed it!
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I am loving that the spy was a woman! Wow we need to read more stories like this in history.
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Nice story..! And it’s more exciting cuz the spy is a woman. I am more thrilled when it goes that way. So empowering.
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Well this was real interesting. A part of history i never heard of
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