There really was a Col. Smiley
Listeners to the serialised life of Kim Philby broadcast on Radio 4 may have noticed mention of a Col. Smiley of the Intelligence Service who was involved in the search for a Russian spy planted deep within the Service in WW2. I have often wondered how John le Carre pitched upon this unusual name for his tales.
for more information go to: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/4210129/Colonel-David-Smiley.html