Aldrich Ames

Born 1941 in River Falls, Wisconsin, the son of Carleton Ames, a teacher at River Falls State Teachers College and grandson of Jesse Ames, the president of the school. His mother was also a teacher. Carleton Ames, struggled with alcohol but introduced his son to the theatre, a passion that Aldrich would follow for years as he participated in plays throughout high school.

The Ames family moved to McLean, VIrginia in 1951 when Carleton Ames took a position with the CIA where he worked for a time with James Jesus Angleton. Aldrich enrolled at George Washington University, majoring in history and took a part-time position, arranged by his father at the CIA in 1959. Was believed to be one of the youngest employees ever with the agency. Eventually received a degree from George Washington in 1967.

Continued working with the agency and was assigned to a post in Turkey where he was sent to try to recruit new intelligence agents. Unfortunately, was unable to recruit any new spies. Was considered aloof by those around him. This, along with his tepid performance as a case officer, caused resentment from fellow workers. Was recalled from Ankara in 1972 and assigned to a post at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia where he was given the task of recruiting Soviet officials. At headquarters, Ames was looked upon with disdain by his colleagues, many of whom believed that he was a product of nepotism. Despite this, he was made privy to top secret information on Soviet operatives. Still, he failed to recruit any new agents. Was assigned to the New York office in 1980, instructed to recruit new Soviet agents from the United Nations delegation. Married his girlfriend Nancy in 1980. The couple struggled early in the marriage and Aldrich began drinking, a habit that would become problematic in the years to come.