The Strange Case of Alger Hiss

By Bryanna Paiz

  • Alger Hiss meets "George Crosley", but it is later revealed his actual name is Whittaker Chambers, a member of the American Communist Party, and Hiss lends an apartment and an old car to Chambers.

  • Whittaker Chambers leaves the American Communist Party. Later in May, 1942, Chambers will write a letter to the FBI regarding him leaving the Communist Party.

  • Chambers states in a private meeting with Adolf Berle stating that Alger and his brother Donald Hiss may have been secret agents for the Soviet Union.

  • Alger Hiss is interviewed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about any Communist connection/relations he may have.

  • Chambers is interviewed another time by a member of the Sate Department saying another time he left the party in 1937.

    Chambers is interviewed another time by a member of the Sate Department saying another time he left the party in 1937.

    A memo of Chambers restating he did leave the Communist Party in 1937 (FBI).

  • Agents of the FBI speak to Hiss and ask him if he knows anybody with the name of "Whittaker Chambers," Hiss denies.

  • More evidence is the Pumpkin Papers were introduced to this investigation. Chambers had told that he had placed them in a hollowed pumpkin in one of his pumpkin farms. These papers were claimed to be given by Hiss to Chambers.

    More evidence is the Pumpkin Papers were introduced to this investigation. Chambers had told that he had placed them in a hollowed pumpkin in one of his pumpkin farms. These papers were claimed to be given by Hiss to Chambers.

    Cartoon of the Pumpkin Papers (The Alger Hiss Story, 1948)

  • 1st trial results into a hung trial, and this resulted into a second trial.

  • Chambers testifies upon the HUAC that Hiss was a spy of the Soviet Union

  • Hiss makes an appearance before the HUAC upon his own request to deny the charge. While he is there, he asks to meet his accuser. Chambers gets interviewed by an investigator, Robert E. Stripling.

    Hiss makes an appearance before the HUAC upon his own request to deny the charge. While he is there, he asks to meet his accuser. Chambers gets interviewed by an investigator, Robert E. Stripling.

    Statement of Alger Hiss (Library of Congress, 1948)

  • The HUAC interviews Chambers for any other information Chambers knows about Hiss' life and family. (The Alger Hiss Story)

  • Representative Nixon meets again with Mr. Chambers to hear his side of the story (The Alger Hiss Story). In the next few days, Hiss appears before the HUAC to reveal Whittaker Chambers that was earlier called with the name of George Crosley.

  • Alger Hiss and Whittaker Chambers appear in a public hearing with television.

    Alger Hiss and Whittaker Chambers appear in a public hearing with television.

    Whittaker Chambers takes a stand before the HUAC, restating his testimony that Hiss was a communist spy.

  • The first trial of the Alger Hiss Case begins.

  • The first trial ends with verdict of hung jury.

  • The 2nd trial ends with convicting Alger Hiss on both counts.

    The 2nd trial ends with convicting Alger Hiss on both counts.

    The Hiss' and family leave court after the guilty verdict. (The Alger Hiss Story, 1950)
  • Alger Hiss is sentenced to prison for five years, but is released after 44 months of staying imprisoned.

    Alger Hiss is sentenced to prison for five years, but is released after 44 months of staying imprisoned.

    First mugshots of Alger Hiss in the Lewisberg Penitentiary in March 1951 (Federal Bureau of Prisons).
  • Whittaker Chambers came out with his autobiography, "Witness".

    Whittaker Chambers came out with his autobiography, "Witness".

    Witness By Whittaker Chambers Hardcover (Good Reads)
  • Alger Hiss is released from prison.

    Alger Hiss is released from prison.

    Hiss after getting released from prison, won't let him go scot-free (Library of Congress, 1954).