33. Plath’s father came to America from Prussia, placing him under the suspicion of the FBI
Otto had moved to the United States from his native East Prussia as a 15-year-old. When his new home country entered the First World War, he came under suspicion. According to files uncovered in 2012, Otto Plath was subject to an FBI investigation, with fears that he might harbor pro-German views. The FBI concluded that he was a loner and looked with suspicion on his refusal to buy War Bonds. However, they found no evidence of disloyalty. Despite this, Plath himself believed his German roots prevented him from getting several academic jobs.