Sherman Kent

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Sherman Kent, (December 6, 1903 - March 11, 1986), was a Yale University history professor who during World War II pioneered many of the methods of intelligence analysis. He is often described as "the father of intelligence analysis".

Sherman Kent first served within the Research and Analysis Branch of the Office of Strategic Services, where he was assigned to cover North Africa issues. In this capacity, he oversaw much of the process which would now be considered intelligence preparation of the battlespace during 1942 in support of planning for Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa.

Kent's key role within the US intelligence community would come with his appointment to the Office of National Estimates within Central Intelligence Agency. In this capacity, he was instrumental in formalizing analytical tradecraft and methodologies, and called for the creation of a "literature of intelligence" to provide a mechanism for the formal transfer of knowledge and experiences between generations of analysts.

Sherman Kent retired from the Central Intelligence Agency in 1967, and died in 1986.

In 2000, the Central Intelligence Agency established a formal school dedicated to the pursuit of professionalism in the art and science of intelligence analysis, named after Sherman Kent. He authored an autobiography, published in 1991, entitled 'Reminiscences of a Varied Life.

He is the son of William Kent (U.S. Congressman) and Elizabeth Thacher Kent, and the nephew of Sherman Day Thacher.