Robert Stroud, also known as the Birdman of Alcatraz, was one of the most notorious and fascinating inmates in the history of American prisons. He spent 54 years behind bars, 42 of them in solitary confinement, for two murders and other violent crimes. He also became a self-taught ornithologist, author, and expert on bird diseases, earning him international recognition and admiration. But how did he die, and what was his legacy? Here is a brief overview of his life, his achievements, and his death.
Early Life and Arrest
Robert Stroud was born on January 28, 1890, in Seattle, Washington. He had a troubled childhood, marked by poverty, abuse, and delinquency. He ran away from home at the age of 13 and became involved in prostitution, gambling, and robbery. He was arrested several times for various offenses, including assault and grand larceny.
In 1909, at the age of 19, he killed a bartender in Alaska who had allegedly refused to pay one of his prostitutes. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was transferred to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas in 1912.
Prison Life
Stroud’s prison life was marked by violence, rebellion, and isolation. He stabbed a fellow inmate in 1912 and was severely beaten by guards as a result. He also attacked and wounded a hospital orderly in 1915. In 1916, he killed a guard who had reportedly mistreated him. He was tried and sentenced to death by hanging.
However, Stroud’s mother appealed to President Woodrow Wilson to spare her son’s life. Wilson commuted his sentence to life imprisonment in solitary confinement in 1920. Stroud was placed in a special cell block with no contact with other inmates or visitors.
The Birdman of Leavenworth
Stroud’s life changed dramatically in 1920 when he found a wounded sparrow in the prison yard. He nursed it back to health and became fascinated by birds. He soon acquired more birds from other inmates and guards and turned his cell into a makeshift aviary. He studied bird anatomy, behavior, and diseases, and wrote several books and articles on the subject. He also bred and sold birds and bird products to the outside world.
Stroud’s bird activities earned him the nickname “The Birdman of Leavenworth” and attracted the attention of the media and the public. He also received support from some prominent ornithologists, such as John James Audubon Jr., who praised his work and encouraged him to continue his research.
Alcatraz
Stroud’s bird activities also aroused the suspicion and hostility of some prison authorities, who saw him as a potential security threat and a nuisance. In 1931, he married Della May Spore, a woman he had corresponded with for several years. However, he was not allowed to see her or have conjugal visits.
In 1942, Stroud was transferred to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, California. He was not allowed to bring his birds or his equipment with him. He spent the next 17 years in solitary confinement at Alcatraz, where he continued his studies on birds using books and magazines. He also wrote an autobiography titled “Looking Outward: A History of the U.S. Prison System from Colonial Times to the Formation of the Bureau of Prisons”.
Death
In 1959, Stroud was transferred to the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, due to his deteriorating health. He suffered from various ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and anemia. He also filed a lawsuit to have his manuscripts released from Alcatraz, where they had been confiscated by the authorities.
Stroud died on November 21, 1963, at the age of 73. His death was due to natural causes (according to Biography). He was buried at the Masonic Cemetery in Metropolis, Illinois.
Legacy
Stroud’s legacy is complex and controversial. On one hand, he is regarded as a brutal murderer who deserved his punishment. On the other hand, he is seen as a victim of injustice who overcame adversity and made valuable contributions to science and society.
His life inspired several books and films, most notably the 1962 film “Birdman of Alcatraz”, starring Burt Lancaster as Stroud. The film portrayed Stroud as a sympathetic and misunderstood figure who reformed himself through his love for birds.
However, some critics have argued that the film was inaccurate and romanticized Stroud’s character. They claim that Stroud was actually a violent psychopath who manipulated people for his own benefit (according to Britannica).
Stroud’s work on birds has also been questioned by some experts, who point out that some of his findings were erroneous or outdated. However, others have acknowledged that Stroud made some original and useful observations and discoveries, especially on bird diseases and treatments (according to Wikipedia).
Stroud’s life and work remain a source of fascination and debate for many people. He is remembered as one of the most remarkable and enigmatic figures in the history of American prisons.
