Agnes Meyer Driscoll
Agnes Meyer Driscoll was an American cryptanalyst associated with U.S. naval cryptology. Trained in mathematics and languages, she worked on naval codes and cipher systems from the First World War through the postwar cryptologic organizations.
Naval codebreaking
Driscoll worked on Japanese naval systems and trained or advised other cryptologic personnel. Her long career spanned the Navy's cryptologic work, the Armed Forces Security Agency, and the early National Security Agency era.
Historical record
Much operational detail remained classified for years; responsible accounts should avoid attributing every later naval success to one individual. The documented record nevertheless establishes her as a leading naval cryptanalyst and teacher.
In memoriam
Driscoll died in 1971. Her posthumous recognition has helped restore an important pioneer to the public history of cryptology.
Timeline
- 1889-07-24Born in Geneseo, Illinois.
- 1918Begins work in U.S. Navy cryptology during the First World War.
- 1920sWorks on Japanese naval cryptographic systems.
- 1949Moves into the Armed Forces Security Agency, a predecessor of NSA.
- 1971-09-16Dies in Fairfax County, Virginia.
- Type
- Person
- Era
- 1910s-1971
- Born
- 1889
- Died
- 1971
- Known for
- U.S. Navy cryptanalysis; Japanese naval cipher systems; Training naval cryptanalysts
- Tags
- cryptanalysis, naval-cryptology, codebreaking, women-in-security