Sir William Stephenson
| Sir William Samuel Stephenson | |
|---|---|
| "Little Bill" | |
1942 passport photo
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| Allegiance |
 Canada United Kingdom
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| Service | British Security Coordination |
| Rank | Captain |
| Operation(s) | World War I, World War II |
| Award(s) |
Knight Bachelor Companion of the Order of Canada Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Medal for Merit |
| Codename(s) | Intrepid |
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| Birth name | William Samuel Clouston Stanger |
| Born |
23 January 1897 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | 31 January 1989 (aged 92) Goldeneye Estate, Paget, Bermuda |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Spouse | Mary French Simmons |
| Occupation | Industrialist, scientist, inventor, businessman, soldier, pilot, spymaster |
Sir William Samuel Stephenson, CC, MC, DFC (23 January 1897 – 31 January 1989) was a Canadian soldier, airman, businessman, inventor, spymaster, and the senior representative of British Security Coordination (BSC) for the entire western hemisphere during World War II. He is best known by his wartime intelligence codename Intrepid. Many people consider him to be one of the real-life inspirations for James Bond.Ian Fleming himself once wrote, "James Bond is a highly romanticized version of a true spy. The real thing is ... William Stephenson."
As head of the British Security Coordination, Stephenson handed over British scientific secrets to Franklin D. Roosevelt and relayed American secrets to Winston Churchill. In addition, Stephenson has been credited with changing American public opinion from an isolationist stance to a supportive tendency regarding America's entry into World War II.
Stephenson was born William Samuel Clouston Stanger on 23 January 1897, in Point Douglas, Winnipeg, Manitoba. His mother was from Iceland, and his father was from the Orkney Islands. He was adopted early by an Icelandic family after his parents could no longer care for him, and given his foster parents' name, Stephenson.
He left school at a young age and worked as a telegrapher. In January 1916, in World War I, he volunteered for service in the 101st Overseas Battalion (Winnipeg Light Infantry), Canadian Expeditionary Force. He left for England on the S.S. Olympic on 29 June 1916, arriving on 6 July 1916. The 101st Battalion was broken up in England, and he was transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion in East Sandling, Kent. On 17 July he was transferred to the Canadian Engineer Training Depot. He was attached to the Sub Staff, Canadian Training Depot Headquarters, in Shorncliffe, and was promoted to Sergeant (with pay of Clerk) in May 1917. In June 1917 he was "on command" to the Cadet Wing of the Royal Flying Corps at Denham Barracks, Buckinghamshire.
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