Nelson Frank

Julian Nelson Frank (1906–1974) was a journalist for the New York World-Telegram, an anti-communist special agent with U.S. Naval Intelligence, and an investigator for the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee.^[1][2]

Career

Frank was a writer, labor editor, and columnist for the New York World-Telegram from 1944 to 1955, where his 1945 article concerning the Duclos letter, which contributed to the ouster of Communist Party USA head Earl Browder.^[1][3] Frank also wrote for Life and Fortune.^[1]

With Norton Mockridge, Frank's front-page World-Telegram exposé "Red Ring Bared by Blond Queen" (written with Norton Mockridge) did much to popularize the story of "Red Spy Queen" Elizabeth Bentley; he appeared with her on one of the first episodes of Meet the Press.^[4][5][6] A former communist who had worked for The Daily Worker, Frank testified before Rep. Richard Nixon and HUAC to support Whittaker Chambers's accusations against Alger Hiss.^[7]

Later, Frank became a bookstore owner.^[2]

Personal life and death

Frank was the father of Johanna Hurwitz and the grandfather of Vanessa Ruta, Garance Franke-Ruta, and Ted Frank.

Works

Articles with Norton Mockridge^[8] include:

• "Red Ring Bared by Blond Queen" (July 21, 1948)
• "Super-Secrecy Veiled Russia's Spy Cells Here" (July 22, 1948)
• "Citizens Tricked into Spy Ring by U.S. Reds" (July 23, 1948)
• "Commie Chieftains Ordered Budenz to Aid Red Spy Queen" (July 26, 1948)