William E. Van Amburgh

Released
Date of birth:28. 08. 1863
Date of death:15. 12. 1947
Age:84† Deceased
Gender:Male
Race:White
Era:1910s
State:New York
Time Imprisoned:
9 Months 5 Days
Support
Anti-Militarism Anti-War Socialism Anarchism
William E. Van Amburgh

Biography

William E. Van Amburgh, Secretary-treasurer of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and one of eight Watch Tower directors indicted May 7, 1918 under the Espionage Act for the publication of The Finished Mystery. Tried alongside Joseph Rutherford in Brooklyn; convicted June 20, 1918; sentenced to 20 years; incarcerated at U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta. Released on bail March 1919 after Justice Brandeis intervened; conviction reversed on appeal 1919.

Case

U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta
Charges: Espionage Act of 1917 — distribution of The Finished Mystery.
Arrested: May 7, 1918
Sentenced: Jun 20, 1918
Incarcerated: Jun 20, 1918
Released: Mar 25, 1919
Sentence: 20 years federal prison; reversed on appeal
Judge: Hon. Harland B. Howe
Convicted: Yes
Institution State: Georgia
Security: Maximum

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