In a remarkable discovery, a secret love letter written by one of Britain’s most prominent Cold War spies, John Cairncross, has shed light on the personal life of this enigmatic figure. The letter, found tucked away in the autobiography of its recipient, Gloria Barraclough, reveals a softer side to Cairncross, known for his prickly and unsympathetic demeanour.
Cairncross, the alleged “fifth man” in the infamous Cambridge spy ring, was a key figure in the espionage world, his intelligence work helping the Soviets gain a crucial advantage during the Second World War. However, the newly unearthed correspondence paints a different picture, showcasing Cairncross’ fondness and elegance in his private life.
“Writing to you seems to have some magical effect on me,” Cairncross wrote to Barraclough in 1944, while he was simultaneously working under Kim Philby in MI6’s counter-intelligence section. “Your letters have a lightness, vivacity and joie de vivre … a fresh voice from an exquisite past.”
The discovery of this love letter has been a profound moment for Barraclough’s son, Tom Brack, who says the correspondence has given him a deeper understanding of his mother’s life before she became a wife and mother. “My mother came from a category of women whose lives were deemed to be of little or no interest,” Brack explained. “But these love letters – which she tucked away in her copy of Cairncross’ autobiography – show that before she was a wife and mother, she was loved by a spy for her vibrancy and intelligence.”
Brack does not believe Barraclough was aware of Cairncross’ double life as a spy when they were dating, but he believes she would have been intrigued rather than shocked had she known. “By the time I was ready to ask the questions, she had died,” he said.
This captivating discovery is just one of the many remarkable stories featured in the National Archives’ latest exhibition, “Love Letters,” which brings together intimate correspondence and documents spanning more than 500 years. From Tudor executions to queer safe houses, the exhibition explores how private emotions have shaped public history – and sometimes upended it altogether.
For Brack, seeing his mother’s story woven into this wider narrative has been an unexpectedly moving experience. “Before domestic life claimed her, my mother was seen, admired and cherished for who she was,” he said.
The “Love Letters” exhibition is open at the National Archives in Kew, London, from 24 January to 12 April, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the personal lives and relationships that have influenced the course of history.
