Donovan, James B. (James Britt), 1916-1970

James Britt Donovan (February 29, 1916 – January 19, 1970) was an American lawyer and United States Navy officer in the Office of Scientific Research and Development and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency), ultimately becoming general counsel of the OSS, and an international diplomatic negotiator.

Donovan is widely known for negotiating the 1960–1962 exchange of captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers and American student Frederic Pryor for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel, and for negotiating the 1962 release and return of 9,703 prisoners held by Cuba after the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion.

Donovan was president of Pratt Institute from Jan. 1, 1968 until his death. He entered the Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn for treatment of influenza, but suffered from a heart attack, succombing to his illness on January 19, 1970. Donovan was buried at Saint Agnes Cemetery in Lake Placid, New York.

Donovan was portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2015 feature film Bridge of Spies.