Agent 355, America’s First Female Spy

During the Revolutionary War, George Washington was desperate to get any advantage over the British. So, he ordered his new Intelligence Officer, Benjamin Tallmadge, to create a spy ring that not even Washington would know the members of. It would be known as the Culper Ring.

One of the first recruits was Tallmadge’s Setauket, New York neighbor Abraham Woodhall, code name Samuel Culper Sr. One of the first people Woodhall turned to was a female that, to this day, has remained a mystery and is only known as Agent 355.

From 1778 to 1780, Agent 355 worked for the Culper ring and became one of the most significant members. She worked in the British New York scene, where she was able to go undetected. Not only was she America’s first female spy, but she was also responsible for exposing Benedict Arnold as a traitor.

Agent 355 has been the inspiration for many things in popular culture. She has influenced comic books, TV series, books, and in January 2022 will be a movie coming out called “The 355” in honor of Agent 355.