# Daniel Ellsberg

> American whistleblower (1931–2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q431085](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q431085)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Ellsberg)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/daniel-ellsberg

## Summary
Daniel Ellsberg is an American whistleblower (1931–2023) known for exposing classified military and government documents, including the Pentagon Papers, which revealed the U.S. government's involvement in the Vietnam War. His actions sparked public debate on government transparency and civil liberties.

## Biography
- Born: April 7, 1931 (Chicago, United States)
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Harvard College (Bachelor of Arts in Government, 1952)
  - Harvard University (Master of Arts in Government, 1953)
- Known for: Leaking the Pentagon Papers to expose U.S. government involvement in the Vietnam War
- Employer(s):
  - RAND Corporation (1955–1971)
  - Harvard University (1971–2023, professor)
- Field(s): Political science, government policy, military affairs

## Contributions
Daniel Ellsberg gained prominence in 1971 when he leaked the Pentagon Papers to *The New York Times*, revealing the U.S. government's secretive planning and deception regarding the Vietnam War. The documents exposed the government's role in escalating the conflict, leading to widespread public outrage and legal consequences. Ellsberg's actions challenged the government's authority and influenced discussions on transparency, whistleblowing, and the role of intelligence agencies. His work has been widely studied and debated, shaping legal protections for whistleblowers and government accountability.

## FAQs
### Q: What did Daniel Ellsberg leak?
A: Ellsberg leaked the Pentagon Papers, a classified study by the RAND Corporation that documented the U.S. government's secretive planning and deception regarding the Vietnam War.

### Q: Why did Daniel Ellsberg leak the Pentagon Papers?
A: Ellsberg leaked the documents to expose what he believed were unconstitutional and deceptive practices by the U.S. government, arguing that the public had a right to know the truth about the war.

### Q: What legal consequences did Daniel Ellsberg face?
A: Ellsberg was charged with violating the Espionage Act for leaking the Pentagon Papers. He was convicted in 1973 and sentenced to one year in prison, which he served.

### Q: What impact did the Pentagon Papers have?
A: The Pentagon Papers exposed the government's role in escalating the Vietnam War, leading to public outrage and legal reforms. They influenced discussions on government transparency and the role of intelligence agencies.

### Q: What awards has Daniel Ellsberg received?
A: Ellsberg has received numerous awards, including the Right Livelihood Award, the Gandhi Peace Award, and the Olof Palme Prize, recognizing his contributions to transparency and civil liberties.

## Why They Matter
Daniel Ellsberg's leakage of the Pentagon Papers had a profound impact on government transparency and civil liberties. His actions exposed the U.S. government's secretive planning and deception, leading to widespread public debate and legal reforms. The Pentagon Papers influenced the creation of the Freedom of Information Act and shaped discussions on whistleblowing and government accountability. Ellsberg's legacy continues to influence debates on transparency, privacy, and the role of intelligence agencies in modern governance.

## Notable For
- Leaked the Pentagon Papers, exposing U.S. government deception in the Vietnam War
- Convicted under the Espionage Act for whistleblowing, leading to legal reforms
- Received multiple awards, including the Right Livelihood Award and the Gandhi Peace Award
- Professor at Harvard University, contributing to political science and government policy
- Advocated for government transparency and civil liberties through activism and writing

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Daniel Ellsberg was born on April 7, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Harvard College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government in 1952. He later pursued a Master of Arts in Government at Harvard University, completing his studies in 1953.

### Career and Research
Ellsberg worked at the RAND Corporation from 1955 to 1971, where he conducted research on military and government policy. His work at RAND included the Pentagon Papers, a classified study that documented the U.S. government's secretive planning and deception regarding the Vietnam War.

### Leakage of the Pentagon Papers
In 1971, Ellsberg leaked the Pentagon Papers to *The New York Times*, revealing the government's role in escalating the Vietnam War. The documents exposed the government's deceptive practices, leading to widespread public outrage and legal consequences. Ellsberg was charged with violating the Espionage Act and was convicted in 1973, serving one year in prison.

### Legal and Political Consequences
Ellsberg's legal case led to significant legal reforms, including the creation of the Freedom of Information Act. His actions influenced discussions on government transparency and the role of whistleblowing in modern governance.

### Awards and Recognition
Ellsberg has received numerous awards for his contributions to transparency and civil liberties. These include the Right Livelihood Award, the Gandhi Peace Award, and the Olof Palme Prize. His work has been widely recognized and studied, shaping debates on government accountability and civil liberties.

### Later Activities and Legacy
After his release from prison, Ellsberg continued to teach at Harvard University, where he contributed to political science and government policy. He remained active in advocacy for government transparency and civil liberties, using his platform to influence public discourse on these issues. Ellsberg's legacy continues to shape discussions on whistleblowing, government accountability, and the role of intelligence agencies in modern governance.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. [Ellsberg proposes Pulitzer prize for sources. 2004](http://www.gradethenews.org/pages2/Ellsberg.htm)
4. ['Source' wins journalism career award. 2004](https://www.sfgate.com/books/article/Source-wins-journalism-career-award-2774722.php)
5. [2018 – Daniel Ellsberg](http://www.palmefonden.se/2018-daniel-ellsberg-2/)
6. [Source](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/whistleblower-summit-film-festival-hosts-tribute-daniel-mccray/)
7. Mathematics Genealogy Project
8. general catalog of BnF
9. CiNii Research
10. BnF authorities
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Πέθανε ο Ντάνιελ Έλσμπεργκ - Το «βαθύ λαρύγγι» των Pentagon Papers. 2023](https://www.ieidiseis.gr/kosmos/202792/pethane-o-daniel-elsmpergk-to-vathy-laryggi-ton-pentagon-papers)
13. SNAC
14. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
15. Discogs
16. Munzinger Personen
17. Open Library
18. [Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers, dies at 92. The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/06/16/daniel-ellsberg-pentagon-papers-dead/)
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. IdRef
21. Quora
22. Danish Bibliographic Centre
23. DBC
24. The Movie Database
25. LibraryThing
26. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/daniel-ellsberg-107ZzsCkaf/appearances)
27. YouTube API