Robert Franklin Stroud was born in 1890 to a dysfunctional family. Known in the world under the name Birdman from Alcatraz. He became popular after writing a book about him by Thomas Gaddis, as well as a film based on it. Many stories are connected with his personality, he was a man for whom many people fought. But even his intentions do not cancel the fact that he became a murderer. Therefore, he ended his life, as it should be for all especially dangerous criminals, in prison.
Childhood and first term
In his homeland, in Alaska, Robert Franklin Stroud was not distinguished by exemplary behavior, he was the so-called difficult teenager with all the ensuing consequences. However, there was no one to fight for him, everything that happened in the family came down to alcohol and beatings.
As a teenager, he tried to make a living by any means. Needless to say, almost all of them were illegal. Until the age of 18, Robert was repeatedly involved, but in 1909 he received his first term for his actions.
It all happened because Stroud worked as a pimp. Among his "commodity" girls was a certain Kitty O'Brien. She providedservices to a bartender named Charlie von Dahmer. Either the girl did not try hard, or she got a greedy client, but he refused to pay for the service. In addition, he beat Kitty. Like a good boss, Robert stood up for the girl, but went too far. In a fight, he killed his opponent. For this, he received his first term of 12 years.
"Exemplary" behavior
Robert Franklin Stroud, being in prison, did not embark on the path of correction at all. His behavior left much to be desired. Therefore, in 1911, the offender was transferred to Leavenworth Prison with a tougher regime. But here, too, nothing useful comes out of it. Robert did not have time to serve his term to the end, but he already decided to add a few decades to himself…
In 1916, Stroud commits a new crime. His relationship with local guards and superiors does not add up initially. But he behaves relatively calmly for some time. Once one of his dates, which, by the way, are very rare for dangerous criminals, was canceled. Because of this, he kills a guard in the cafeteria with a shiv he made himself. The victim's partners from such impudence did not have time to orient themselves in time. Therefore, the warden died before he could get to the first-aid post.
For such a trick, Robert, of course, was sentenced to capital punishment - the death pen alty. But the American president of the time, Woodrow Wilson, canceled it. Because of this, Stroud received a life sentence.
How did the nickname come about?
20 years after the murder of the warden, Robert is transferred to Alcatraz. But alsobeing in Livernote, he acquires an unconventional hobby. During a walk, Stroud finds a sick sparrow. He decides to hide it, smuggle it into the cell. There he nurses a sick bird, at the same time taming it. After that, new sparrows appear, each of which has an inexplicable love for a psychopath, an outcast among people.
The guards and the local authorities decide to take advantage of the criminal's unusual passion. They let him get the canaries. He is later transferred to Alcatraz and the pets move with him.
In the new prison, Robert continues to do what he loves. The number of cages and birds is increasing, so the leaders of the prison are engaged in their implementation. Robert also corresponds with some scientists, is engaged in the creation of vaccines and medicines for canaries. Later, he writes several books with tips and advice on breeding and keeping birds, becoming respected among scientists and hobbyists.
So the psychopath and murderer gets his nickname - the Birdman of Alcatraz. Although he does nothing afterwards to support him, the name remains permanently attached to him.
What was behind the good deeds?
Robert Franklin Stroud decided to turn his hobby into a new opportunity to show the nature of a psychopath and a criminal. Initially, the prison authorities do not forbid him to engage in poultry farming. On the contrary, they bring officials and noble personalities to get acquainted with Robert's hobby. They say that it is under their command that such a malicious violator of the rules andthe criminal discovers a rather sweet and conscientious trait in himself.
Then, when Stroud becomes popular in the scientific community, he is involved in the manufacture of drugs for canaries. In 1931, they are officially registered and go on sale throughout America. To handle the criminal's mail, the prison authorities are forced to hire a secretary. Moreover, they write off thousands of dollars for a hobby that seemed to become the meaning of Robert's life. However, the profit is many times greater.
And only 11 years later it was found out that Stroud did not feel tenderness for his birds at all. Under the guise of drug production, he makes drugs and alcohol, distributing them both inside Alcartas and far beyond its borders. Naturally, after the exposure, the Birdman was no longer able to spend time with his canaries.
Last years of life
American criminal becomes popular among the public. When his drug production line is interrupted, she turns her attention to him. The public in the US has always had an urge to protect someone. And now they fixed their eyes on Robert. They performed in the squares, gathered rallies, rebelled.
One of the public figures helped Robert get a law degree. Subsequently, he files an appeal, tries to appeal his sentence. But the attempts were in vain.
In 1963, Stroud dies in the prison medical center. He lives to the age of 73spends most of his life in captivity.
Conclusion
The reasons for the behavior of the popular US killer may be based on childhood grievances. For all his sins, Robert blames his father, who was an alcoholic, often got into fights, beat him and his mother. By this he explained his hostility to any authority.
There is some truth in Stroud's words. As a child, the future psychopath did not have the opportunity to develop the ability to build normal relationships with his environment.
