Robert Stroud

Robert Stroud, famously known as the Birdman of Alcatraz, is one of the most well-known figures in the history of…

By Staff , in Criminals , at November 5, 2024 Tags: criminals

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Robert Stroud, famously known as the Birdman of Alcatraz, is one of the most well-known figures in the history of the American prison system. Although he spent much of his life behind bars, Stroud’s fascination with birds led him to become a self-taught ornithologist and a published author, despite his challenging circumstances. His life story is filled with both remarkable achievements and a dark, complicated past.

Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Robert Stroud was born on January 28, 1890, in Seattle, Washington. His early years were difficult; he grew up in a troubled household and eventually left home as a teenager.
By the time he was in his late teens, he had started drifting and became involved in petty crime. He worked as a pimp in Alaska and, in 1909, at the age of 18, he was convicted of murder after killing a bartender who had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend.
Stroud was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter and was sent to McNeil Island in Washington State. His time in prison quickly turned turbulent due to his violent temper and confrontational attitude toward prison staff.

Transfer to Leavenworth and His First Murder in Prison
Due to his disciplinary issues, Stroud was eventually transferred to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas, one of the most secure prisons in the country.
In 1916, Stroud fatally attacked a prison guard named Andrew Turner after a dispute over Stroud’s visiting privileges with his brother. He was sentenced to death for the murder, but after a series of appeals and public advocacy on his behalf, his sentence was commuted to life in prison in solitary confinement.

Interest in Birds and Study of Ornithology
During his solitary confinement at Leavenworth, Stroud discovered an injured sparrow in the prison yard, sparking an intense fascination with birds. He began raising and studying birds, particularly canaries, in his cell.
With permission from prison officials, he acquired various bird species and materials to study them, transforming his cell into a makeshift laboratory. Over time, Stroud became highly knowledgeable about avian health, studying their diseases and developing remedies.
He wrote two significant books: “Diseases of Canaries” and “Stroud’s Digest on the Diseases of Birds.” These works provided insights into bird diseases, symptoms, and treatments, earning him a reputation as a respected ornithologist, even among professionals outside the prison.

Public Fascination and the Birdman Persona
The media became interested in Stroud’s transformation from a violent inmate to a bird expert, dubbing him the “Birdman of Leavenworth.” This name later became “Birdman of Alcatraz” after his transfer.
However, the nickname is somewhat misleading. Stroud was not allowed to keep birds during his time at Alcatraz, where he was transferred in 1942 due to concerns that his bird-raising activities at Leavenworth were disrupting prison operations. His persona as the “Birdman” persisted, largely due to public fascination with his story.

Life at Alcatraz and Final Years
At Alcatraz, a maximum-security prison located on an island in San Francisco Bay, Stroud was placed under strict confinement, with no access to birds or other research materials.
His time there was marked by isolation, although he continued his studies, wrote essays, and started working on an autobiography. He spent 17 years at Alcatraz, much of it under restrictive conditions.
In 1959, due to declining health, Stroud was transferred to the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, where he remained until his death.

Death and Legacy
Stroud died on November 21, 1963, at the age of 73. He had spent over 54 years in prison, with 42 of those in solitary confinement.
Although he was known for his violent past, his dedication to bird studies and his transformation intrigued the public. He remains a symbol of the human capacity for change, as well as the harsh realities of the American penal system.
Stroud’s story was popularized by the 1962 movie “Birdman of Alcatraz,” starring Burt Lancaster in the title role. The film took significant creative liberties, portraying Stroud as a reformed, gentle figure who found redemption through his bird studies. In reality, Stroud’s personality was far more complex, as he remained volatile and confrontational throughout his prison years.

Contributions to Ornithology
Despite his restricted environment, Stroud made noteworthy contributions to ornithology, particularly in the area of avian diseases. His methods for diagnosing and treating bird illnesses were innovative for his time and widely respected within the birdkeeping community.
His research provided valuable insights into canary diseases, benefiting both amateur birdkeepers and professional aviculturists. Stroud’s work is an example of how scientific discovery and knowledge can come from the most unlikely places.