26 Facts About Morton Sobell

Morton Sobell was an American engineer and Soviet spy during and after World War II; he was charged as part of a conspiracy which included Julius Rosenberg and his wife, Ethel Rosenberg.

Morton Sobell was tried and convicted of espionage in 1951 and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Morton Sobell was released in 1969 after serving 17 years and 9 months in prison.

Morton Sobell was born in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents Louis and Rose Sobel, who came in 1906 from the small village of Belozerka, Russian Empire.

Morton Sobell graduated from the City College of New York where he received a degree in engineering.

Morton Sobell began work in 1939 in Washington, DC, for the Navy Bureau of Ordnance.

Morton Sobell came over after supper, and my wife was there and we had a casual conversation.

Rosenberg said that Morton Sobell was " helping in this".

In 1945 Morton Sobell married Helen Levitov, who brought her daughter Sydney Gurewitz, born during her previous marriage.

Morton Sobell fled with his wife Helen, infant son Mark Sobell, and Helen's daughter Sydney from her previous marriage.

Morton Sobell tried to travel to Europe, but without proper papers he was not able to leave.

Morton Sobell was tried and found guilty along with the Rosenbergs and sentenced to 30 years.

Morton Sobell continued to work for more than 15 years to gain her husband's freedom.

Morton Sobell contributed to eight appeals of his conviction on the merits, but these were unsuccessful.

Morton Sobell was initially sent to Alcatraz but was transferred to Lewisburg Penitentiary when that prison closed in 1963.

Morton Sobell was released in 1969 after serving 17 years and 9 months.

Morton Sobell's bail had been set at $100,000, which he could not raise.

In 1974, Morton Sobell published a memoir, On Doing Time, in which he maintained that he was innocent and that his conviction was a case of justice being subverted to serve political goals.

In 1978 the Corporation for Public Broadcasting produced a television special that maintained Morton Sobell was innocent of the government charges.

Morton Sobell was asked if he had given military secrets to the Soviets during World War II.

Morton Sobell made the distinction that he had passed only material about defensive radar and artillery devices.

Reporter Sam Roberts pointed out that military experts contended that one device Morton Sobell mentioned in the interview was later used against US military aircraft during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Morton Sobell said that his co-defendant Julius Rosenberg had been involved in spying:.

Morton Sobell brought her daughter, Sydney Gurewitz, from her first marriage, and the couple had a son Mark together.

Morton Sobell died at the age of 101 on December 26,2018.

Morton Sobell was the last surviving member of the Rosenberg spy ring.