Robert Best (spy)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert H. Best (1898-1952) was an American broadcaster of Nazi propaganda during World War II. He was convicted in 1948 of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment.
From Sumter, South Carolina, Best became a foreign news correspondent for the United Press working out of Vienna in the late 30s. He became an enthusiast of Nazi ideals during the period around the Anschluss. During WWII he began "broadcasting propaganda from Germany" (New York Times, Mar 30, 1948, p 17) After the war ended, he was brought to trial in the U.S. in front of justice Francis J.W. Ford, accused of "giving aid and comfort" to the Nazis. While in Germany he had married a woman named Alma, who is listed as age 38 in an article in 1950.
Several people testified at his trial including Princess Sofia zur Lippe-Weissenfeld of Austria. (New York Times, Apr 8, 1948, p 20) He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was held in the Charles Street Jail while awaiting the outcome of his appeal to the United States Circuit Court. (New York Times, Jul 9, 1950, p 24)
The Supreme Court "...refused a Hearing to Robert H Best, native South Carolinian, sentenced to life imprisonment for treasonous aid to the Germans in World War II as a broadcaster. " (The Reno Evening Gazette, Feb 28, 1951) Best died in 1952 in a Boston prison.
[edit] References
- New York Times, Mar 30, 1948, p 17; Apr 8, 1948 p 20; Jul 9, 1950 p 24
- The Reno Evening Gazette, Feb 28, 1951[1]
- House Committee on Un-American Activities, Preliminary Report on Neo-Fascist and Hate Groups, Dec. 17, 1954, pp. 11-12 (mentions Dec. 1952 eulogy for Best)
