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Biography, genealogy and origin of the celebrity michael whitney straight

Genealogical research regarding the celebrity michael whitney straight

Michael Whitney Straight was born on September 1, 1916, in New York City. He came from a prominent family, with his father being an editor and publisher of The New Republic magazine. Straight attended the Groton School, an elite boarding school, and later Harvard University. While at Harvard, he became involved in left-wing politics and joined the Communist Party USA. However, his time in the party was short-lived, as he eventually grew disillusioned with its ideology. During World War II, Straight served in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of captain. After the war, he worked in various fields, including journalism and publishing. He became the managing editor of The New Republic and later served in the U.S. State Department as a speechwriter for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Straight's career took an unexpected turn when he was recruited by the British intelligence agency, MI6, to gather information on Soviet activities in the United States. In 1963, Straight co-founded the influential and progressive news magazine, The New Republic. He served as its editor-in-chief until 1977, during which time he implemented significant changes that garnered both praise and criticism. Straight was known for his liberal stance on social issues and his commitment to fostering intellectual discourse. His tenure at the magazine solidified his reputation as a respected intellectual and opinion leader. Outside the publishing world, Straight pursued various philanthropic activities, including serving on the boards of numerous organizations. He was recognized for his efforts to promote human rights and education, particularly his support for the arts. Straight's involvement in the arts extended beyond philanthropy, as he was an accomplished painter and collector of fine art. Michael Whitney Straight's life was not without its controversies. In the late 1960s, he was implicated in an espionage scandal, which involved past connections to Soviet intelligence agents. He admitted to once being involved with members of the spy ring, but claimed that he had severed his ties with them long before they were exposed. Despite the controversy, Straight continued to be an active force in intellectual and cultural circles until his death on January 4, 2004.

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