Daniel Ellsberg

Biography

Daniel Ellsberg was a prominent American political activist and economist who precipitated a national controversy in 1971 by releasing the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret study on U.S. government decision-making in Vietnam. His release of the documents led to charges under the Espionage Act, but they were later dismissed due to governmental misconduct. Ellsberg was awarded the Right Livelihood Award and Olof Palme Prize for his moral courage, and continued to advocate for transparency and human rights until his death in 2023.