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David KahnAmerican historian, writer and cryptographer
Date of Birth: 07.02.1930
Country:  USA |
Content:
- David Kahn: Historian, Writer, and Cryptographer
- "The Codebreakers": A Seminal Work
- Controversy and Censorship
- Subsequent Career
- NSA Collaboration and Biography of Herbert O. Yardley
- Later Life and Legacy
David Kahn: Historian, Writer, and Cryptographer
Early Life and EducationDavid Kahn, born in New York City in 1908 to immigrant parents from Russia, was fascinated by cryptography from an early age. He graduated from Bucknell University and worked as a reporter for "Newsday" before delving into the field of cryptology.
"The Codebreakers": A Seminal Work
In 1967, Kahn published "The Codebreakers," a comprehensive history of cryptography that became a commercial success and introduced cryptology to the wider public. The book detailed the history of codemaking and breaking, including ancient Egyptian ciphers, Enigma decryption, and the Cold War era.
Controversy and Censorship
The publication of "The Codebreakers" faced opposition from the U.S. government, which feared that the release of sensitive information would compromise national security. The National Security Agency (NSA) attempted to prevent the book's publication through negative reviews and by having the manuscript reviewed by the government without Kahn's permission.
Subsequent Career
Despite the controversy, Kahn continued to pursue his research in German military intelligence during World War II. He obtained a doctorate from Oxford University in 1974 and taught journalism at New York University. In 1991, he published "Seizing the Enigma," an account of the British Navy's capture of German meteorological ship documents that aided in breaking the Enigma cipher.
NSA Collaboration and Biography of Herbert O. Yardley
In 1995, Kahn became a fellow at the NSA and wrote a biography of the founder of American cryptography, Herbert O. Yardley ("The Reader of Gentlemen's Mail"). Kahn visited Yardley's hometown and explored his personal papers to create a comprehensive portrait.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from "Newsday" in 1998, Kahn continued writing on political and military topics. He donated his collection of cryptology books and materials to the National Cryptologic Museum in 2010. Kahn, a member of various cryptology and history organizations, passed away in 1989, leaving behind a significant legacy in the field of cryptography.
