| Freddie Congden | |
| Fictional Character | |
| 1632 series POD: May, 1631 | |
| Appearance(s): | 1633 |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Nationality: | United States of Europe (formerly United States) |
| Date of Birth: | 1957 |
| Spouse: | Anita (divorced) |
| Children: | George |
Freddie Congden was an undesirable citizen in Grantville. He was particularly abusive to his wife Anita, who finally had it with her husband and left Grantville with their son George. Congden was also a member of the United Mine Workers.
After the Ring of Fire, Congden fell in with the anti-German crowd at the 250 Club. He later made a profit in hand-copying and selling modern history books that his son had left behind to down-timers. This became a major liability to the New United States and its allies as it provided valuable knowledge to their enemies. The authorities were made aware of this by Congden's nearest neighbor Tom Stone. Congden was confronted by spymaster Francisco Nasi and Harry Lefferts, who were sent by Michael Stearns, in his shabby trailer home where he was subdued and physically interrogated by Lefferts. Once they learned how Congden appropriated the books, Harry offered him a choice; he could work with his new government, or be arrested for treason with a near-certainty of life imprisonment, and the serious possibility of facing a death sentence. A very intimidated Congden then learned that the alternative he was being given was to resume selling his books, but only copies, and only after making certain alterations suggested by Francisco Nasi. The intent was to spread misinformation and disinformation to the then Confederated Principalities of Europe's enemies.
Congden, however, initially refused to work with Francisco because he didn't want to take orders from a "kike". He was convinced otherwise by being booted in the guts and held at gunpoint by Harry, who was willing to kill him.
Among the misinformation Nasi had Congden disseminate was the relocation of the California Gold Rush to Florida, specifically in the Everglades. When Congden asked why Nasi would put the Gold Rush in Florida, since even Congden knew there was no gold there, Francisco answered that Florida was rife with malaria and likely to afflict serious attrition on French and Spanish men who needlessly fought over the nonexistent gold.
Ultimately, Congden's work led to his son's library being known as the "Congden Library".