Rogue Agent: The Troubled Life and Dangerous Times of Robert Bruce Lockhart

by James Crossland

The thrilling biography of Robert Bruce Lockhart, Britain's 'Agent' in Moscow
Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart (1887–1970) was an impressive figure: a diplomat, intelligence agent, conspirator, journalist and propagandist who played a key role in both world wars. He was a man who charmed his way into the confidences of everyone from Leon Trotsky to Anthony Eden. A man whom the influential press baron Lord Beaverbook claimed ‘could well have been prime minister’. And yet Lockhart died almost forgotten and near destitute, a Scottish footnote in the pages of history.

Rogue Agent is the first biography of this gifted yet habitually flawed maverick. It chronicles his many exploits, from his time as Britain’s ‘Agent’ in Moscow, and his role in a plot to bring down the communist regime, to leading the Political Warfare Executive, a secret body responsible for disinformation and propaganda in the Second World War.

Exploring Lockhart’s unorthodox thinking and contributions to the development of psychological warfare as well as his hedonistic lifestyle, late nights and many affairs that left him in a state of perpetual debt, Rogue Agent tells the thrilling story of this unconventional war hero.

Genres: Biography, History, Russia, Espionage, War

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2024

About the author

James Crossland is Professor in International History at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. He has published widely on the history of wartime humanitarianism, international law and the Red Cross movement.

Reviews

[Rick Forncett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue Agent details the extraordinary life of Robert Bruce Lockhart who I had never heard of before reading this book. He had an incredibly full and complicated life working for British intelligence from 1917, when he attempted to convince Trotsky and Lenin to keep Russia involved in the First World War through to trying to keep Czechoslovakia free from communist rule and then as Director Gereral of PWE the propaganda department in World War 2.
In addition he managed to work as a journalist for Lord Beaverbrook's newspapers and knew him well in addition to rubbing shoulders with the likes of Churchill and Eden. This is a thoroughly engrossing book and much more interesting than I had expected it to be. Thoroughly recommended.

[Sarah Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly readable account of a fascinating character that most people have never even heard of. This is more than a book about a single man, however, and even if you know nothing about him, you will find this book engaging and informative.

[George Geranios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story about the British agent in Russia!

[Richard Jaffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining biography of one of the great British "Agents" at the beginning of the 20th Century. My knowledge of Robert Lockhart, prior to "Rogue Agent," was through my fascination with Sidney Reilly, both in print, and the PBS series Reilly Ace of Spies.

Originally tasked with trying to set up diplomatic relations with the Bolshevik Government of Lenin and Trotsky in 1918 Russia, Lockhart's "brief" was to get Russia to reenter the First World War against Germany, and when that failed eventually he bands together with Reilly to try to overthrown the Bolsheviks in what later became known as the "Lockhart Plot." Although the plot to overthrow the Bolsheviks took his name, in reality ( or at least historically ) Lockhart played a minor role in what was eventually foiled by several agents provocateurs reporting to Felix Dzerzhinsky and the Cheka.

Although Crossland relies on passages from the Reilly Biography penned by Lockhart's son, Robin, he repeatedly refers to Reilly as the "Ace of Spies" as a derogatory term in what appears to be an effort to build up Lockhart's role in the failed coup attempt. This is even hinted at later when Lockhart apparently discredits his own telling of the "Lockhart Plot" in his autobiography "British Agent" when nearing his own death and confessing to his son.

Besides the different slant on the events in 1918, Crossland describes in vivid detail the many affairs with exotic women including Moura, who may, or may not, have been a double agent working for the Kremlin. Although his one true love, theirs was a love affair doomed from the start. When others escaped the Cheka, he remained in Russia and was imprisoned, as Moura was also imprisoned as part of the round up of the co-conspirators.

Although the first half of the book is devoted to his time in Russia, I was surprised to learn of Lockhart's further efforts on behalf of the British Intelligence services including his lengthy and life threatening exploits in WWII. Although stationed in the UK, Lockhart ran a propaganda campaign against the Nazis for several years, which some say turned the tide of the war, and may have also led to the "fake news" that is now permeating all over social media today. He was also involved in spreading actual news reports to the Czech Republic after the communist take over.

With the exception of the downgrading comments about Sidney Reilly I truly enjoyed this new perspective on the Bolshevik Revolution, the English Psychological Warfare in WWII and the enlightening look on a somewhat forgotten British Agent.

[Yooperprof · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun biographical romp through the life of enigmatic "government agent" Robert Bruce Lockhart, Britain's "man in Moscow" during the Bolshevik Revolutions of 1917-18. Crossland disentangles conflicting accounts of Lockhart's involvement in counter-revolutionary plots which aimed to foment dissatisfaction with the Communists, spur a return to Russian involvement in World War I, and assassinate Soviet leaders - including Lenin! For his involvement, Lockhart was seized by the Soviets and thrown into prison, but managed to survive thanks to the British government's eventual decision to arrange the first of what would be many "prisoner swaps" of the Cold War.

There is also a very interesting extended account of Lockhart's contributions to Second World War efforts through his leadership of the propagandistic "Political Warfare Executive."

The book reads like a cross between John Buchan and John le Carré: at times so strange it seems like fiction. Crossland's account is superbly researched and neatly documented, making it as valuable for professional historians as it is entertaining for general readers.

[James Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Crossland's "Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart" is an excellent biography of a man who was a key British asset in Moscow during the first half of the twentieth century. Lockhart led an astounding life, being in Russia from 1911 to the Russian Revolution in 1917 and overseeing Britain's psychological warfare campaign against the Nazis in World War II. Lockhart was well-traveled, spoke several languages, and had an engaging manner, which enabled him to mingle with prominent people, from Bolshevik leaders to British Foreign Office officials to prime ministers. However, Lockhart was far from perfect. He embraced a hedonistic lifestyle, with late nights, drinking, and scandalous affairs. Crossland writes brilliantly about a man who played a vital role in both world wars. Readers interested in unconventional historical figures should seek out "Rogue Agent."

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the second time I tried to read this book and did not finish it. Robert Bruce Lockhart didn't really do anything for me. I enjoy reading books about spies, but Rogue Agent just did not cut it. I saw on Amazon that Lockhart wrote a memoir about being a spy. I think I will check it out and see if it is more interesting.

[Philip Curran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Bad . The facts around the communist uprising in Russia were very interesting. The book was not too heavy and didn’t feel like I was studying although in places some of the details were a bit superfluous to telling the story. Very interesting individual at a very interesting and important juncture in history.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was as it said on the tin. Spy affairs. male agent in Moscow through 20th century. With all its male egocentric behaviours and spy adventures. Wasn’t quite for me, and it was as the jacket cover. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossland has managed to strip back the myth and ambiguity, to reveal a little more of the real man - a man full of human foibles, whose adventures seem larger than life, but one with the sheer audacity to stand face to face with Bolshevik Russia and walk away to tell the tale. Excellent read.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of the actions of Robert Bruce Lockhart in WWI and WWII

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read about a spy and his personal adventures.