Alger Hiss

Hiss, Alger (1904– ), U.S. public official accused of spying for the USSR. Hiss was an adviser to the U.S. State Department on economic and political affairs. In 1948 he was brought before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC), and in 1950 he was convicted of perjury. He served 4 years in prison. Maintaining his innocence, Hiss has devoted the rest of his life to clearing his name. Legal scholars are sharply divided on his guilt.