Elizebeth Smith Friedman (1892–1980) was an American cryptanalyst and pioneer in the field of cryptography. Her work, often overshadowed by her husband William F. Friedman’s contributions, was instrumental in codebreaking during the early to mid-20th century. Here is a detailed biography of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, highlighting key events in her life:
Early Life and Education:
- Birth and Family: Elizebeth Smith was born on August 26, 1892, in Huntington, Indiana, USA. She grew up in a Quaker family.
- Education: Elizebeth attended Hillsdale College in Michigan, where she studied English literature, languages, and Shakespearean literature.
Beginnings in Cryptography:
- Riverbank Laboratories: In 1916, Elizebeth started working at Riverbank Laboratories, a research facility in Illinois. This is where she first became involved in cryptanalysis under the supervision of George Fabyan.
- World War I Codebreaking: During World War I, Elizebeth worked on breaking codes used by German agents operating in the Americas.
Marriage to William F. Friedman:
- Marriage: Elizebeth married William F. Friedman in 1917. The Friedmans became a prominent couple in the field of cryptography.
- Collaboration: Elizebeth and William collaborated on various cryptographic projects throughout their marriage, although her contributions were sometimes less publicly acknowledged.
Prohibition and Codebreaking:
- The Volstead Act (1920): During Prohibition, Elizebeth worked for the U.S. Coast Guard, breaking codes used by rum-runners and smugglers attempting to bring alcohol into the United States.
- Rum Row Codebreaking: Elizebeth’s work on Rum Row, the area off the U.S. East Coast where smugglers operated, led to successful prosecutions and significantly disrupted illegal alcohol trade.
Work for the Government:
- Treasury Department: Elizebeth worked for the Treasury Department during the 1920s and 1930s, focusing on breaking codes related to smuggling, tax evasion, and other criminal activities.
- Black Chamber Closure (1929): With the closure of the Cipher Bureau (known as the Black Chamber) in 1929, Elizebeth and her husband transitioned to civilian work.
World War II and Military Service:
- World War II Service: During World War II, Elizebeth worked for various government agencies, including the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the Coast Guard, focusing on Axis spy codes.
- B-1, B-2, and B-3: Elizebeth led the B-1, B-2, and B-3 sections of the U.S. Navy’s cryptographic unit, where she directed efforts to decrypt German and Japanese codes.
Later Career and Recognition:
- Retirement: Elizebeth retired from government service in 1946 but remained active in the field, writing books and articles on cryptography.
- Publications: She authored several influential books, including “Shakespearean Ciphers Examined” (1957), which challenged theories about hidden codes in Shakespeare’s works.
Death and Legacy:
- Death: Elizebeth Smith Friedman passed away on October 31, 1980, in Plainfield, New Jersey.
- Recognition: In later years, Elizebeth received recognition for her contributions to cryptography. Her achievements and the significance of her work have gained more attention in recent decades.
- Honors: Elizebeth was posthumously awarded the William F. Friedman Award for Excellence in Cryptology by the National Security Agency (NSA) in 1999.
Elizebeth Smith Friedman played a crucial role in the development of modern cryptanalysis. Her groundbreaking work in breaking codes during Prohibition and World War II contributed significantly to the success of U.S. intelligence efforts. Despite facing challenges and often working in the shadow of her husband, Elizebeth’s legacy has gained the recognition it deserves in the history of cryptography.
