American journalist and author who helped rescue over 2,000 Jews and anti-Nazi dissidents from France during World War II, often referred to as the "American Schindler".
Varian Fry was an American journalist who ran a secret rescue network in Vichy France, saving an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 anti-Nazi and Jewish refugees from the clutches of the Nazi regime during World War II. He is the first of five Americans to be recognized as Righteous Among the Nations, an honorific given by the State of Israel to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.
Fry was born on October 15, 1907, in New York City to Lillian Mackey and Arthur Fry, a manager of the Wall Street firm Carlysle and Mellick. He grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he developed a passion for birdwatching and reading. As a child, Fry was already demonstrating his humanitarian spirit, organizing a fundraising bazaar for the American Red Cross during World War I.
Fry attended Hotchkiss School from 1922 to 1924, but left due to hazing rituals. He then attended the Riverdale Country School, graduating in 1926. He was an exceptional student, scoring in the top 10 of the Harvard University entrance exams. At Harvard, Fry founded the influential literary quarterly, Hound & Horn, with Lincoln Kirstein, a notable American ballet enthusiast.
Fry's experience as a foreign correspondent for The Living Age in Berlin in 1935 opened his eyes to the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime against Jews. He witnessed Nazi abuse firsthand, which instilled in him a deep-seated anti-Nazi sentiment. This encounter sparked a sense of purpose in Fry, driving him to take action against the Nazi regime.
In 1940, Fry traveled to Vichy France, where he established a secret rescue network aimed at helping anti-Nazi and Jewish refugees escape Nazi-occupied Europe. With the help of a small team of collaborators, Fry created a complex system of safe houses, false identities, and clandestine routes to smuggle refugees out of France and into Spain and Portugal.
Fry's rescue network, which operated from 1940 to 1941, was a sophisticated operation that involved:
Fry's efforts were not limited to rescuing Jews; he also helped other persecuted individuals, including politicians, artists, and intellectuals. His network assisted prominent figures such as Marc Chagall, Hannah Arendt, and André Breton, among many others.
Fry's bravery and selflessness did not go unnoticed. In 1967, the State of Israel posthumously awarded Fry the title of Righteous Among the Nations, making him the first American to receive this honor. This recognition is a testament to Fry's unwavering commitment to saving lives during one of humanity's darkest periods.
Fry's actions during World War II serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against oppression and injustice. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world to take action against human rights violations and persecution. Fry's story is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in the darkest of times, individuals can make a difference.
Varian Fry's courageous efforts have left an indelible mark on history, and his story serves as a testament to the power of humanity and compassion in the face of adversity.
Born in 1908
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