https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byte-sized-biographies--6863067enHistoryCopyright Philip D. Gibbonshttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/61bc46a9e5514504cd56f6e09745827b.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byte-sized-biographies--6863067Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:42:31 +0000Philip D. GibbonsPhilip D. Gibbonschezgibbons@hotmail.comSome Very Famous People You've Never Really Heard Of, Byte Sized Biographies of the famous, the infamous and the quirky in less than hour. Think of that doorstop sized bio or history related book that you will never read made accessible in an hour....falseepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-pat-tillman-affair-part-one--73018514https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73018514Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:25:46 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe treatment of former NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman's friendly fire death is among the most shameful incidents in the history of the US military and government.2899falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-pat-tillman-affair-part-two--73018272https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73018272Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:09:06 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe treatment of former NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman's friendly fire death is among the most shameful incidents in the history of the US military and government.2706falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-jeffrey-macdonald-murder-case-part-one--72591023https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72591023Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:34:20 +0000Philip D. GibbonsWarning: This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence. After almost fifty years of litigation, the MacDonald murders remain one of America's most controversial murder cases. 3546falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-jeffrey-macdonald-murder-case-part-two--72590964https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72590964Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:29:31 +0000Philip D. GibbonsWarning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence.  For close to fifty years, the Macdonald murders have remained one of America's most controversial cases.3307falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bobby-sands-and-the-ira-plot-to-kill-margaret-thatcher-part-one--71942677https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71942677Sun, 10 May 2026 00:49:05 +0000Philip D. GibbonsWhen ten incarcerated Irish Republicans starved themselves to death in a British prison, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher became the object of one of the most audacious assassination attempts in British history.3018falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bobby-sands-and-the-ira-plot-to-kill-margaret-thatcher-part-two--71942590https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71942590Sun, 10 May 2026 00:29:37 +0000Philip D. GibbonsWhen ten incarcerated Irish Republicans starved themselves to death in a British prison, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher became the object of one of the most audacious assassination attempts in British history.2679falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jan-baalsrud-and-world-war-ii-s-greatest-escape-part-one--70705278https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70705278Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:55:22 +0000Philip D. GibbonsDuring his remarkable escape from the Nazis, through some of the most inhospitable parts of Norway, Jan Baalsrud proved that some human beings can just refuse to die.2385falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jan-baalsrud-and-world-war-ii-s-greatest-escape-part-two--70705160https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70705160Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:51:47 +0000Philip D. GibbonsDuring his remarkable escape from the Nazis, through some of the most inhospitable parts of Norway, Jan Baalsrud proved that some human beings can just refuse to die.2575falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/f-scott-fitzgerald-lost-paradise-part-one--70150995https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70150995Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:47:11 +0000Philip D. GibbonsA literary sensation in his twenties, when he suddenly died of a heart attack in 1940, F. Scott Fitzgerald's last royalty check was $13.13.3150falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/f-scott-fitzgerald-lost-paradise-part-two--70150948https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70150948Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:44:23 +0000Philip D. GibbonsA literary sensation in his twenties, when he suddenly died of a heart attack in 1940, F. Scott Fitzgerald's last royalty check was $13.13.3174falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ira-hayes-and-the-flag-raisers-of-iwo-jima-part-one--69653507Ira Hayes Rene Gagnon Joe Rosenthal on Suribachi Bill Genaust, left, on Iwo Jima Wreckage on Iwo Jima, Suribachi in the background First flag raising Second flag raising The Gung Ho photo]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3352Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:30:19 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe incredible story of the Marines who raised the American flag over Iwo Jima and the iconic photo that changed their lives forever. Ira Hayes Rene Gagnon Joe Rosenthal on Suribachi Bill Genaust, left, on Iwo Jima Wreckage on Iwo Jima, Suribachi in...Ira Hayes Rene Gagnon Joe Rosenthal on Suribachi Bill Genaust, left, on Iwo Jima Wreckage on Iwo Jima, Suribachi in the background First flag raising Second flag raising The Gung Ho photo]]>2308falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ira-hayes-and-the-flag-raisers-of-iwo-jima-part-two--69653518Marine Harlon Block, his mother always knew. Navy Medic John Bradley, on the 7th Bond Tour, still on crutches Flag raiser Franklin Sousley, misidentified for seventy years Harold Schultz, flag raiser who never went public. Harold Keller, flag raiser, he also kept quiet for the rest of his life Grave of Ira Hayes, Arlington National Cemetery Rene Gagnon grave, Arlington National Cemetery]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3335Fri, 23 Jan 2026 05:16:15 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe incredible story of the Marines who raised the American flag over Iwo Jima and the iconic photo that changed their lives forever. Marine Harlon Block, his mother always knew. Navy Medic John Bradley, on the 7th Bond Tour, still on crutches Flag...Marine Harlon Block, his mother always knew. Navy Medic John Bradley, on the 7th Bond Tour, still on crutches Flag raiser Franklin Sousley, misidentified for seventy years Harold Schultz, flag raiser who never went public. Harold Keller, flag raiser, he also kept quiet for the rest of his life Grave of Ira Hayes, Arlington National Cemetery Rene Gagnon grave, Arlington National Cemetery]]>2167falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/john-dillinger-public-enemy-number-one-part-one--69653516John Dillinger, at the height of his fame Homer Van Meter Tommy Carroll Billy Frechette, wanted poster Dillinger arrest location, Tucson, Arizona Biograph Theater, early morning July 23, 1934 Chicago alley where Dillinger was shot Dillinger family plot, Crown Hill Cemetery One of several Dillinger death masks]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3306Sat, 27 Dec 2025 20:27:34 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn thirteen months, John Dillinger transformed himself from inconsequential ex-con to the most famous criminal celebrity in US history and the first Public Enemy Number One. John Dillinger, at the height of his fame Homer Van Meter Tommy Carroll Billy...John Dillinger, at the height of his fame Homer Van Meter Tommy Carroll Billy Frechette, wanted poster Dillinger arrest location, Tucson, Arizona Biograph Theater, early morning July 23, 1934 Chicago alley where Dillinger was shot Dillinger family plot, Crown Hill Cemetery One of several Dillinger death masks]]>3368falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/john-dillinger-public-enemy-number-one-part-two--69653508Lester Gillis aka Baby Face Nelson Eddie Green, St. Paul criminal Melvin Purvis Front entrance, The Little Bohemia Lodge, Manitowish Falls, Wisconsin Anna Sage]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3295Sat, 27 Dec 2025 20:07:34 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn thirteen months, John Dillinger transformed himself from inconsequential ex-con to the most famous criminal celebrity in US history and the first Public Enemy Number One. Lester Gillis aka Baby Face Nelson Eddie Green, St. Paul criminal Melvin...Lester Gillis aka Baby Face Nelson Eddie Green, St. Paul criminal Melvin Purvis Front entrance, The Little Bohemia Lodge, Manitowish Falls, Wisconsin Anna Sage]]>3149falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/senator-edward-m-kennedy-and-the-bridge-at-chappaquiddick-part-one--69653521Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 1968 Edward Kennedy, campaigning in 1962 John Farrar examining the Kennedy automobile as it is being removed from the water near Dike Bridge Ted Kennedy during nationwide speech following the Chappaquiddick accident District Attorney Edmund Dinis Edgartown Police Chief Dominick "Jim" Arena, later in life]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3275Sun, 30 Nov 2025 22:40:58 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn July 19, 1969 an auto accident, involving Senator Edward M. Kennedy and the death of a young woman, changed the course of American political history forever. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 1968 Edward Kennedy, campaigning in 1962 John Farrar examining...Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 1968 Edward Kennedy, campaigning in 1962 John Farrar examining the Kennedy automobile as it is being removed from the water near Dike Bridge Ted Kennedy during nationwide speech following the Chappaquiddick accident District Attorney Edmund Dinis Edgartown Police Chief Dominick "Jim" Arena, later in life]]>3146falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/senator-edward-m-kennedy-and-the-bridge-at-chappaquiddick-part-two--69653517Senator Edward Kennedy and his wife Joan in the mid-sixties Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Joe Gargan's sister Ann, Joe Kennedy's longtime caretaker. Joe Gargan, late in life. Kopechne family gravestone]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3265Sun, 30 Nov 2025 22:27:06 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn July 19, 1969 an auto accident, involving Senator Edward M. Kennedy and the death of a young woman, changed the course of American political history forever. Senator Edward Kennedy and his wife Joan in the mid-sixties Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Joe...Senator Edward Kennedy and his wife Joan in the mid-sixties Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Joe Gargan's sister Ann, Joe Kennedy's longtime caretaker. Joe Gargan, late in life. Kopechne family gravestone]]>3197falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/catherine-the-great-one-of-a-kind-part-one--69653513Peter III, Catherine's husband Catherine's mother, Princess Johanna The Empress Elizabeth Frederick the Great Grigori Orlov Poniatowski Catherine on the the balcony of the Winter Palace after she seized the throne from Peter III Catherine, in the uniform of the Imperial Guard]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3236Thu, 09 Oct 2025 01:35:09 +0000Philip D. GibbonsBrought to Russia as fourteen-year-old Princess Sophia from a tiny German principality, she became Catherine the Great, the most powerful woman in Europe. Peter III, Catherine's husband Catherine's mother, Princess Johanna The Empress Elizabeth...Peter III, Catherine's husband Catherine's mother, Princess Johanna The Empress Elizabeth Frederick the Great Grigori Orlov Poniatowski Catherine on the the balcony of the Winter Palace after she seized the throne from Peter III Catherine, in the uniform of the Imperial Guard]]>3082falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/catherine-the-great-one-of-a-kind-part-two--69653525Catherine's coronation painting, wearing her remarkable crown Pugachev, harassing captive nobles before their execution Paul I, Catherine's son and heir Grigori Potemkin Peterhof Palace The Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum The Bronze Horseman statue of Peter the Great]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3220Thu, 09 Oct 2025 01:18:53 +0000Philip D. GibbonsBrought to Russia as fourteen-year-old Princess Sophia from a tiny German principality, she became Catherine the Great, the most powerful woman in Europe. Catherine's coronation painting, wearing her remarkable crown Pugachev, harassing captive nobles...Catherine's coronation painting, wearing her remarkable crown Pugachev, harassing captive nobles before their execution Paul I, Catherine's son and heir Grigori Potemkin Peterhof Palace The Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum The Bronze Horseman statue of Peter the Great]]>3082falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bob-marley-reggae-superstar-and-legend-part-one--69653529Bob Marley performing in July of 1980 Bob Marley's mother's home, Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica Bunny Wailer, one of Marley's earliest collaborators Peter Tosh, another Marley associate, performing in 1978 The I Threes, performing with Marley, Rita, his wife, center]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3211Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:24:33 +0000Philip D. GibbonsListen to this February 5, 2020 flashback episode about Bob Marley, homeless at age 20 in one of the poorest cities of the Third World, he became a popular music phenomenon and 20th century icon. Bob Marley performing in July of 1980 Bob Marley's...Bob Marley performing in July of 1980 Bob Marley's mother's home, Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica Bunny Wailer, one of Marley's earliest collaborators Peter Tosh, another Marley associate, performing in 1978 The I Threes, performing with Marley, Rita, his wife, center]]>2321falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bob-marley-reggae-superstar-and-legend-part-two--69653540Marley, performing last outdoor show, Dublin, Ireland, July 6, 1980 Marley, publicity photo Marley's son, Ziggy Bob Marley, mausoleum complex entrance, Nine Mile, Jamaica]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3199Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:10:45 +0000Philip D. GibbonsListen to this February 5, 2020 flashback episode about Bob Marley, homeless at age 20 in one of the poorest cities of the Third World, he became a popular music phenomenon and 20th century icon. Marley, performing last outdoor show, Dublin, Ireland,...Marley, performing last outdoor show, Dublin, Ireland, July 6, 1980 Marley, publicity photo Marley's son, Ziggy Bob Marley, mausoleum complex entrance, Nine Mile, Jamaica]]>2243falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/d-b-cooper-and-the-only-unsolved-air-hijacking-in-us-history-part-one--69653524Some of the crew members from the plane Cooper hijacked Initial crude wanted poster circulated by the FBI Richard McCoy, wanted poster circulated after he escaped from a federal penitentiary Another potential D. B. Cooper, Robert Rackstraw.]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3185Sat, 09 Aug 2025 03:24:15 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThis special flashback episode, from March 16, 2018, discusses D. B. Cooper and the most infamous unsolved hijacking in US history. Some of the crew members from the plane Cooper hijacked Initial crude wanted poster circulated by the FBI Richard...Some of the crew members from the plane Cooper hijacked Initial crude wanted poster circulated by the FBI Richard McCoy, wanted poster circulated after he escaped from a federal penitentiary Another potential D. B. Cooper, Robert Rackstraw.]]>1400falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/d-b-cooper-and-the-only-unsolved-air-hijacking-in-us-history-part-two--69653526Northwest Orient Plane similar to the one DB Cooper hijacked. Money recovered on the shores of the Columbia River that was ultimately identified as part of Cooper's $200,000 Grave of Richard Mccoy, who many believe was D. B. Cooper  ]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3173Sat, 09 Aug 2025 03:10:38 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThis special flashback episode, from March 16, 2018, discusses D. B. Cooper and the most infamous unsolved hijacking in US history. Northwest Orient Plane similar to the one DB Cooper hijacked. Money recovered on the shores of the Columbia River that...Northwest Orient Plane similar to the one DB Cooper hijacked. Money recovered on the shores of the Columbia River that was ultimately identified as part of Cooper's $200,000 Grave of Richard Mccoy, who many believe was D. B. Cooper  ]]>1468falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/howard-hughes-and-his-empire-of-madness-part-one--69653554Howard R. Hughes Sr., standing next to a drill site Howard Hughes as a small boy Howard Hughes' boyhood home in Houston, Texas Movie poster for Hell's Angels Jane Russell, The Outlaw Hercules, aka The Spruce Goose, taxiing in Long beach Harbor]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3149Thu, 03 Jul 2025 03:25:02 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn April 5, 1976, when he died in a private jet,  en route to Houston, Texas, Howard Hughes was a hopeless drug addict, weighed 93 pounds and hadn’t even taken a step on his own in several years.  He was also the world’s wealthiest man, living proof...Howard R. Hughes Sr., standing next to a drill site Howard Hughes as a small boy Howard Hughes' boyhood home in Houston, Texas Movie poster for Hell's Angels Jane Russell, The Outlaw Hercules, aka The Spruce Goose, taxiing in Long beach Harbor]]>3851falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/howard-hughes-and-his-empire-of-madness-part-two--69653557The entrance to the Beverly Hills Hotel, Howard Hughes' home for over a decade Jean Peters The Desert Inn, circa 1968 Actress Terry Moore, one of Hughes' female companions, who claimed after his death that he married her in a boat in international waters and that she gave birth to Hughes' illegitimate child that died shortly after childbirth. The Hughes estate settled with her for a sum believed to be around 400,000 dollars.]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=3138Thu, 03 Jul 2025 03:08:34 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn April 5, 1976, when he died in a private jet,  en route to Houston, Texas, Howard Hughes was a hopeless drug addict, weighed 93 pounds and hadn't even taken a step on his own in several years.  He was also the world's wealthiest man, living proof...The entrance to the Beverly Hills Hotel, Howard Hughes' home for over a decade Jean Peters The Desert Inn, circa 1968 Actress Terry Moore, one of Hughes' female companions, who claimed after his death that he married her in a boat in international waters and that she gave birth to Hughes' illegitimate child that died shortly after childbirth. The Hughes estate settled with her for a sum believed to be around 400,000 dollars.]]>3505falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/edward-snowden-american-hero-or-malignant-traitor-part-one--69653543National Security Agency Headquarters, Fort Meade, MD Edward Snowden Glenn Greenwald, publicity photo Laura Poitras General Keith Alexander]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2947Thu, 22 May 2025 19:39:22 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 2013, while working as a contractor at the National Security Agency, Edward Snowden leaked an extensive collection of top secret documents, an act of defiance that, today, still reverberates throughout US intelligence and international relations....National Security Agency Headquarters, Fort Meade, MD Edward Snowden Glenn Greenwald, publicity photo Laura Poitras General Keith Alexander]]>2010falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/edward-snowden-american-hero-or-malignant-traitor-part-two--69653564Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport Edward Snowden in his Hong Kong hotel room Glen Greenwald and Ewan Mckaskill, in Hong Kong Academy Award onstage presentation to Laura Poitras, Glenn Greenwald and Lindsay Mills, second from right Keith Alexander 2014 retirement party, with Chuck Hagel and James Clapper ]]>https://bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2937Thu, 22 May 2025 19:25:36 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 2013, while working as a contractor at the National Security Agency, Edward Snowden leaked an extensive collection of top secret documents, an act of defiance that, today, still reverberates throughout US intelligence and international relations....Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport Edward Snowden in his Hong Kong hotel room Glen Greenwald and Ewan Mckaskill, in Hong Kong Academy Award onstage presentation to Laura Poitras, Glenn Greenwald and Lindsay Mills, second from right Keith Alexander 2014 retirement party, with Chuck Hagel and James Clapper ]]>2099falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/j-d-salinger-and-the-catcher-in-the-rye-part-one--69653575J. D. Salinger, photo used on book jacket, The Catcher in the Rye Original book jacket cover, The Catcher in the Rye Cornish-Windsor Bridge, near Salinger's home The Catcher in the Rye, paperback book edition cover, designed by Salinger Jean Miller, 2013 J.D. Salinger: The Reclusive Genius Behind "The Catcher in the Rye" Discover the untold story of J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author who captivated a generation with "The Catcher in the Rye." This bite-sized biography delves into Salinger's early life, his traumatic experiences in World War II, and the creative process behind his iconic novel. Learn how Salinger's masterpiece transformed American literature and why he retreated from the public eye at the height of his fame. From his privileged Manhattan upbringing to his struggles with PTSD, uncover the fascinating journey of a literary legend. This episode reveals Salinger's complex relationships, his battles with publishers, and the lasting impact of his work.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2815Fri, 18 Apr 2025 10:15:22 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  J. D. Salinger, photo used on book jacket, The Catcher in the Rye Original book jacket cover, The Catcher in the Rye Cornish-Windsor Bridge, near Salinger's home The Catcher in the Rye, paperback book edition cover, designed by Salinger Jean Miller,...J. D. Salinger, photo used on book jacket, The Catcher in the Rye Original book jacket cover, The Catcher in the Rye Cornish-Windsor Bridge, near Salinger's home The Catcher in the Rye, paperback book edition cover, designed by Salinger Jean Miller, 2013 J.D. Salinger: The Reclusive Genius Behind "The Catcher in the Rye" Discover the untold story of J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author who captivated a generation with "The Catcher in the Rye." This bite-sized biography delves into Salinger's early life, his traumatic experiences in World War II, and the creative process behind his iconic novel. Learn how Salinger's masterpiece transformed American literature and why he retreated from the public eye at the height of his fame. From his privileged Manhattan upbringing to his struggles with PTSD, uncover the fascinating journey of a literary legend. This episode reveals Salinger's complex relationships, his battles with publishers, and the lasting impact of his work.]]>3992falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/j-d-salinger-and-the-catcher-in-the-rye-part-two--69653511J. D. Salinger, Time Magazine, 1961 Original dust jacket of The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger eventually demanded that his photo be removed. J. D. Salinger, on the streets of Windsor, Vermont, later in life. Joyce Maynard, later in life. J.D. Salinger: The Reclusive Genius Behind "The Catcher in the Rye" Discover the untold story of J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author who captivated a generation with "The Catcher in the Rye." This bite-sized biography delves into Salinger's early life, his traumatic experiences in World War II, and the creative process behind his iconic novel. Learn how Salinger's masterpiece transformed American literature and why he retreated from the public eye at the height of his fame. From his privileged Manhattan upbringing to his struggles with PTSD, uncover the fascinating journey of a literary legend. This episode reveals Salinger's complex relationships, his battles with publishers, and the lasting impact of his work.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2809Fri, 18 Apr 2025 09:59:44 +0000Philip D. GibbonsJ. D. Salinger, Time Magazine, 1961 Original dust jacket of The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger eventually demanded that his photo be removed. J. D. Salinger, on the streets of Windsor, Vermont, later in life. Joyce Maynard, later in life. J.D. Salinger:...J. D. Salinger, Time Magazine, 1961 Original dust jacket of The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger eventually demanded that his photo be removed. J. D. Salinger, on the streets of Windsor, Vermont, later in life. Joyce Maynard, later in life. J.D. Salinger: The Reclusive Genius Behind "The Catcher in the Rye" Discover the untold story of J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author who captivated a generation with "The Catcher in the Rye." This bite-sized biography delves into Salinger's early life, his traumatic experiences in World War II, and the creative process behind his iconic novel. Learn how Salinger's masterpiece transformed American literature and why he retreated from the public eye at the height of his fame. From his privileged Manhattan upbringing to his struggles with PTSD, uncover the fascinating journey of a literary legend. This episode reveals Salinger's complex relationships, his battles with publishers, and the lasting impact of his work.]]>2417falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gunther-lutjens-the-admiral-behind-the-battleship-bismarck-s-fateful-voyage-part-one--69653541Admiral Gunther Lutjens Hitler on naval inspection tour of the "Deutschland," in 1934. Crew of Bismarck on deck, its 15 inch guns visible Spitfire reconnaissance photo near Bergen, Norway. Bismarck during the Battle of the Denmark Strait Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck's Fateful Voyage Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany's most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II's most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler's rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS Hood, uncover the forgotten details of this pivotal moment in naval history.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2702Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:13:41 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Admiral Gunther Lutjens Hitler on naval inspection tour of the "Deutschland," in 1934. Crew of Bismarck on deck, its 15 inch guns visible Spitfire reconnaissance photo near Bergen, Norway. Bismarck during the Battle of the Denmark Strait Gunther...Admiral Gunther Lutjens Hitler on naval inspection tour of the "Deutschland," in 1934. Crew of Bismarck on deck, its 15 inch guns visible Spitfire reconnaissance photo near Bergen, Norway. Bismarck during the Battle of the Denmark Strait Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck's Fateful Voyage Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany's most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II's most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler's rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS Hood, uncover the forgotten details of this pivotal moment in naval history.]]>2355falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gunther-lutjens-the-admiral-behind-the-battleship-bismarck-s-fateful-voyage-part-two--69653573Captain Ernst Lindemann HMS Prince of Wales Admiral John Tovey on the deck of the George V Swordfish Torpedo dive bomber Swordfish returning to the Ark Royal after attacking the Bismarck Ark Royal and Renown from HMS Sheffield Bismarck survivors being rescued by the Dorsetshire Hitler and Raeder, 1943 Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany’s most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II’s most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler’s rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS Hood, uncover the forgotten details of this pivotal moment in naval history.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2732Thu, 20 Mar 2025 03:12:23 +0000Philip D. GibbonsCaptain Ernst Lindemann HMS Prince of Wales Admiral John Tovey on the deck of the George V Swordfish Torpedo dive bomber Swordfish returning to the Ark Royal after attacking the Bismarck Ark Royal and Renown from HMS Sheffield Bismarck survivors being...Captain Ernst Lindemann HMS Prince of Wales Admiral John Tovey on the deck of the George V Swordfish Torpedo dive bomber Swordfish returning to the Ark Royal after attacking the Bismarck Ark Royal and Renown from HMS Sheffield Bismarck survivors being rescued by the Dorsetshire Hitler and Raeder, 1943 Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany’s most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II’s most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler’s rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS Hood, uncover the forgotten details of this pivotal moment in naval history.]]>2149falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-enigmatic-legacy-of-jan-vermeer-from-obscurity-to-artistic-mastery-part-one--69653531Burial Marker for Vermeer, Oude Kirk, Delft The Astronomer in the Altaussee salt mine Two paintings at 2023 Rijksmuseum exhibit St. Praxedes Diana and her Companions Christ in the House of Mary and Martha The Procuress A Girl Asleep A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window, before restoration A Girl Reading a Letter, restored Cavalier and Young Woman The Milkmaid The Glass of Wine Girl Interrupted in her Music Young Woman With A Wine Glass The Little Street View of Delft This podcast explores the life and works of Dutch master Jan Vermeer. It delves into Vermeer's enigmatic biography, his meticulous artistic process, and the rediscovery of his genius centuries after his death. The episode covers Vermeer's early life in Delft, his marriage, and his struggle to support a large family through art and dealing. It traces the journey of several of Vermeer's most famous paintings, including "The Milkmaid" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring," through history and various collections. The podcast also touches on the impact of historical events like wars on the fate of Vermeer's works and the artist's enduring legacy in the art world. 0:00 Intro: Jan Vermeer's enigmatic life and legacy 5:30 Vermeer's early life and artistic beginnings 16:45 Vermeer's artistic style and meticulous process 28:05 St. Praxedis: Vermeer's earliest surviving work 33:45 The Procuress: Vermeer's dramatic stylistic shift 39:20 A Girl Asleep: Symbolism in everyday scenes 44:55 The Milkmaid: Dutch appreciation for Vermeer 50:35 Landscapes: The Little Street and View of Delft]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2651Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:40:36 +0000Philip D. GibbonsToday, no more than thirty-seven paintings are attributed to Jan Vermeer. Still, he remains one of the greatest artists who ever lived.   Burial Marker for Vermeer, Oude Kirk, Delft The Astronomer in the Altaussee salt mine Two paintings at 2023...Burial Marker for Vermeer, Oude Kirk, Delft The Astronomer in the Altaussee salt mine Two paintings at 2023 Rijksmuseum exhibit St. Praxedes Diana and her Companions Christ in the House of Mary and Martha The Procuress A Girl Asleep A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window, before restoration A Girl Reading a Letter, restored Cavalier and Young Woman The Milkmaid The Glass of Wine Girl Interrupted in her Music Young Woman With A Wine Glass The Little Street View of Delft This podcast explores the life and works of Dutch master Jan Vermeer. It delves into Vermeer's enigmatic biography, his meticulous artistic process, and the rediscovery of his genius centuries after his death. The episode covers Vermeer's early life in Delft, his marriage, and his struggle to support a large family through art and dealing. It traces the journey of several of Vermeer's most famous paintings, including "The Milkmaid" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring," through history and various collections. The podcast also touches on the impact of historical events like wars on the fate of Vermeer's works and the artist's enduring legacy in the art world. 0:00 Intro: Jan Vermeer's enigmatic life and legacy...]]>3317falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-enigmatic-legacy-of-jan-vermeer-from-obscurity-to-artistic-mastery-part-two--69653534Young Woman With A Water Pitcher Woman With a Lute The Music Lesson The Concert Woman in Blue Reading a letter Woman With a Pearl Necklace Woman with a Balance A Lady Writing Mistress and Maid Girl With a Pearl Earring Study of a Young Woman Girl With a Red Hat Girl With a Flute The Art of Painting The Geographer The Astronomer The Lacemaker The Love Letter A Lady Writing a Letter With Her Maid Allegory of the Catholic Faith Young Woman Standing a Virginal Young Woman Seated at a Virginal The Guitar Player Young Woman Seated at a Virginal (Leiden Collection) This podcast explores the life and works of Dutch master Jan Vermeer. It delves into Vermeer's enigmatic biography, his meticulous artistic process, and the rediscovery of his genius centuries after his death. The episode covers Vermeer's early life in Delft, his marriage, and his struggle to support a large family through art and dealing. It traces the journey of several of Vermeer's most famous paintings, including "The Milkmaid" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring," through history and various collections. The podcast also touches on the impact of historical events like wars on the fate of Vermeer's works and the artist's enduring legacy in the art world. 0:00 Intro: Jan Vermeer's enigmatic life and legacy 5:30 Vermeer's early life and artistic beginnings 16:45 Vermeer's artistic style and meticulous process 28:05 St. Praxedis: Vermeer's earliest surviving work 33:45 The Procuress: Vermeer's dramatic stylistic shift 39:20 A Girl Asleep: Symbolism in everyday scenes 44:55 The Milkmaid: Dutch appreciation for Vermeer 50:35 Landscapes: The Little Street and View of Delft]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2625Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:14:42 +0000Philip D. GibbonsToday, no more than thirty-seven paintings are attributed to Jan Vermeer. Still, he remains one of the greatest artists who ever lived. Young Woman With A Water Pitcher Woman With a Lute The Music Lesson The Concert Woman in Blue Reading a letter...Young Woman With A Water Pitcher Woman With a Lute The Music Lesson The Concert Woman in Blue Reading a letter Woman With a Pearl Necklace Woman with a Balance A Lady Writing Mistress and Maid Girl With a Pearl Earring Study of a Young Woman Girl With a Red Hat Girl With a Flute The Art of Painting The Geographer The Astronomer The Lacemaker The Love Letter A Lady Writing a Letter With Her Maid Allegory of the Catholic Faith Young Woman Standing a Virginal 2236falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-falcon-and-the-snowman-unraveling-america-s-cold-war-espionage-scandal-part-one--69653574Christopher Boyce on Australian 60 Minutes Christopher Boyce, after his rearrest in the state of Washington. Timothy Hutton, who played Boyce in "The Falcon and the Snowman." Sean Penn, who played Daulton Lee in the "The Falcon and the Snowman." Arrested for selling secrets to the Russians, their incarceration and Christopher Boyce’s subsequent escape from a Federal prison was headline news.  Ultimately, the Falcon and the Snowman spent decades behind bars. This podcast episode delves into the story of Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee, known as the Falcon and the Snowman. It explores their backgrounds in affluent Southern California and how they became involved in selling classified information to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The episode details Boyce's work at TRW, a defense contractor, and Lee's drug-dealing activities. It recounts their initial contact with Soviet officials in Mexico City and the development of their espionage operation. The podcast highlights the contrast between their privileged upbringings and their descent into criminal activities, offering insights into the motivations and circumstances that led to their infamous espionage case.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2606Thu, 09 Jan 2025 22:24:11 +0000Philip D. GibbonsChristopher Boyce on Australian 60 Minutes Christopher Boyce, after his rearrest in the state of Washington. Timothy Hutton, who played Boyce in "The Falcon and the Snowman." Sean Penn, who played Daulton Lee in the "The Falcon and the Snowman."...Christopher Boyce on Australian 60 Minutes Christopher Boyce, after his rearrest in the state of Washington. Timothy Hutton, who played Boyce in "The Falcon and the Snowman." Sean Penn, who played Daulton Lee in the "The Falcon and the Snowman." Arrested for selling secrets to the Russians, their incarceration and Christopher Boyce’s subsequent escape from a Federal prison was headline news.  Ultimately, the Falcon and the Snowman spent decades behind bars. This podcast episode delves into the story of Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee, known as the Falcon and the Snowman. It explores their backgrounds in affluent Southern California and how they became involved in selling classified information to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The episode details Boyce's work at TRW, a defense contractor, and Lee's drug-dealing activities. It recounts their initial contact with Soviet officials in Mexico City and the development of their espionage operation. The podcast highlights the contrast between their privileged upbringings and their descent into criminal activities, offering insights into the motivations and circumstances that led to their infamous espionage case.]]>3575falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-falcon-and-the-snowman-unraveling-america-s-cold-war-espionage-scandal-part-two--69653570Christopher Boyce, testifying before Congress, 1985 Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam Kathleen "Cait" Mills Boyce, 2003 Recent photo of Boyce in Oregon Cait and Chris Boyce on CNN, 2014 Arrested for selling secrets to the Russians, their incarceration and Christopher Boyce's subsequent escape from a Federal prison was headline news.  Ultimately, the Falcon and the Snowman spent decades behind bars. This podcast episode delves into the story of Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee, known as the Falcon and the Snowman. It explores their backgrounds in affluent Southern California and how they became involved in selling classified information to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The episode details Boyce's work at TRW, a defense contractor, and Lee's drug-dealing activities. It recounts their initial contact with Soviet officials in Mexico City and the development of their espionage operation. The podcast highlights the contrast between their privileged upbringings and their descent into criminal activities, offering insights into the motivations and circumstances that led to their infamous espionage case.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2598Thu, 09 Jan 2025 22:08:50 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Christopher Boyce, testifying before Congress, 1985 Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam Kathleen "Cait" Mills Boyce, 2003 Recent photo of Boyce in Oregon Cait and Chris Boyce on CNN, 2014 Arrested for selling secrets to the Russians, their...Christopher Boyce, testifying before Congress, 1985 Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam Kathleen "Cait" Mills Boyce, 2003 Recent photo of Boyce in Oregon Cait and Chris Boyce on CNN, 2014 Arrested for selling secrets to the Russians, their incarceration and Christopher Boyce's subsequent escape from a Federal prison was headline news.  Ultimately, the Falcon and the Snowman spent decades behind bars. This podcast episode delves into the story of Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee, known as the Falcon and the Snowman. It explores their backgrounds in affluent Southern California and how they became involved in selling classified information to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The episode details Boyce's work at TRW, a defense contractor, and Lee's drug-dealing activities. It recounts their initial contact with Soviet officials in Mexico City and the development of their espionage operation. The podcast highlights the contrast between their privileged upbringings and their descent into criminal activities, offering insights into the motivations and circumstances that led to their infamous espionage case.]]>3227falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theodore-roosevelt-from-new-york-reformer-to-america-s-youngest-president-part-one--69653514Theodore Roosevelt as a young man Campaign literature, 1900 Leon Czolgosz, McKinley assassin Roosevelt ranch house, South Dakota Roosevelt's first wife, Alice Roosevelt's second wife, Edith Roosevelt with his family Roosevelt in Rough Rider uniform Roosevelt, in store bought frontier wardrobe with Tiffany silver knife Theodore Roosevelt: Nobel Laureate, Medal of Honor Winner, Political Progressive, Executor of the Panama Canal, Best Selling Author, Conservationist and always the Man in the Arena. This podcast explores the life of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. It covers his early years as a sickly child, his transformation into a robust young man, and his rapid political ascent. The episode details Roosevelt's roles as New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. It highlights his progressive policies as Governor of New York and his unexpected path to the presidency following William McKinley's assassination. The podcast paints a vivid picture of Roosevelt's boundless energy, reform-minded approach to politics, and his impact on shaping America's role as a global power at the turn of the 20th century.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2581Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:47:47 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Theodore Roosevelt as a young man Campaign literature, 1900 Leon Czolgosz, McKinley assassin Roosevelt ranch house, South Dakota Roosevelt's first wife, Alice Roosevelt's second wife, Edith Roosevelt with his family Roosevelt in Rough Rider uniform...Theodore Roosevelt as a young man Campaign literature, 1900 Leon Czolgosz, McKinley assassin Roosevelt ranch house, South Dakota Roosevelt's first wife, Alice Roosevelt's second wife, Edith Roosevelt with his family Roosevelt in Rough Rider uniform Roosevelt, in store bought frontier wardrobe with Tiffany silver knife Theodore Roosevelt: Nobel Laureate, Medal of Honor Winner, Political Progressive, Executor of the Panama Canal, Best Selling Author, Conservationist and always the Man in the Arena. This podcast explores the life of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. It covers his early years as a sickly child, his transformation into a robust young man, and his rapid political ascent. The episode details Roosevelt's roles as New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. It highlights his progressive policies as Governor of New York and his unexpected path to the presidency following William McKinley's assassination. The podcast paints a vivid picture of Roosevelt's boundless energy, reform-minded approach to politics, and his impact on shaping America's role as a global power at the turn of the 20th century.]]>3142falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/theodore-roosevelt-from-new-york-reformer-to-america-s-youngest-president-part-two--69653578Theodore Roosevelt Home known as Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, NY Roosevelt speaking in 1910 Roosevelt in safari garb in Africa Photo from the book African Game Trails Roosevelt visiting Cambridge Roosevelt assassin, John Schrank, under arrest Mount Rushmore Theodore Roosevelt Grave, Oyster Bay, Long Island Theodore Roosevelt: Nobel Laureate, Medal of Honor Winner, Political Progressive, Executor of the Panama Canal, Best Selling Author, Conservationist and always the Man in the Arena. This podcast explores the life of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. It covers his early years as a sickly child, his transformation into a robust young man, and his rapid political ascent. The episode details Roosevelt's roles as New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. It highlights his progressive policies as Governor of New York and his unexpected path to the presidency following William McKinley's assassination. The podcast paints a vivid picture of Roosevelt's boundless energy, reform-minded approach to politics, and his impact on shaping America's role as a global power at the turn of the 20th century.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2570Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:32:06 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Theodore Roosevelt Home known as Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, NY Roosevelt speaking in 1910 Roosevelt in safari garb in Africa Photo from the book African Game Trails Roosevelt visiting Cambridge Roosevelt assassin, John Schrank, under arrest Mount...Theodore Roosevelt Home known as Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, NY Roosevelt speaking in 1910 Roosevelt in safari garb in Africa Photo from the book African Game Trails Roosevelt visiting Cambridge Roosevelt assassin, John Schrank, under arrest Mount Rushmore Theodore Roosevelt Grave, Oyster Bay, Long Island Theodore Roosevelt: Nobel Laureate, Medal of Honor Winner, Political Progressive, Executor of the Panama Canal, Best Selling Author, Conservationist and always the Man in the Arena. This podcast explores the life of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. It covers his early years as a sickly child, his transformation into a robust young man, and his rapid political ascent. The episode details Roosevelt's roles as New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. It highlights his progressive policies as Governor of New York and his unexpected path to the presidency following William McKinley's assassination. The podcast paints a vivid picture of Roosevelt's boundless energy, reform-minded approach to politics, and his impact on shaping America's role as a global power at the turn of the 20th century.]]>2532falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-brief-and-tragic-reign-of-maximillian-i-emperor-of-mexico-part-one--69653548Carlota, Empress of Mexico Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico Schoenbrunn, Hapsburg palace, Vienna and Maximillian's boyhood home Maximillian and Charlotte, newlyweds Franz Josef, 1865 Miramare, Trieste The Novara Maximillian as Emperor Benito Juarez Like something out of a fairy tale, in 1864, a European power installed an Austrian nobleman as Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico, ultimately resulting in tragedy, madness and execution. This episode unravels the ambitious plot by Napoleon III to install a European monarch in the New World, and the tragic consequences that followed. From Habsburg royalty to Mexican ruler, Maximilian's journey is filled with political intrigue, cultural clashes, and personal struggles. Learn how this idealistic prince found himself caught between European imperialism and Mexican nationalism, ultimately leading to his downfall. Perfect for history buffs and fans of untold stories, this bite-sized biography brings to life a chapter of history often overlooked in textbooks. Dive into the world of 19th-century politics, royal ambitions, and the clash of empires.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2554Thu, 17 Oct 2024 07:34:40 +0000Philip D. GibbonsCarlota, Empress of Mexico Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico Schoenbrunn, Hapsburg palace, Vienna and Maximillian's boyhood home Maximillian and Charlotte, newlyweds Franz Josef, 1865 Miramare, Trieste The Novara Maximillian as Emperor Benito Juarez...Carlota, Empress of Mexico Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico Schoenbrunn, Hapsburg palace, Vienna and Maximillian's boyhood home Maximillian and Charlotte, newlyweds Franz Josef, 1865 Miramare, Trieste The Novara Maximillian as Emperor Benito Juarez Like something out of a fairy tale, in 1864, a European power installed an Austrian nobleman as Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico, ultimately resulting in tragedy, madness and execution. This episode unravels the ambitious plot by Napoleon III to install a European monarch in the New World, and the tragic consequences that followed. From Habsburg royalty to Mexican ruler, Maximilian's journey is filled with political intrigue, cultural clashes, and personal struggles. Learn how this idealistic prince found himself caught between European imperialism and Mexican nationalism, ultimately leading to his downfall. Perfect for history buffs and fans of untold stories, this bite-sized biography brings to life a chapter of history often overlooked in textbooks. Dive into the world of 19th-century politics, royal ambitions, and the clash of empires.]]>2993falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-brief-and-tragic-reign-of-maximillian-i-emperor-of-mexico-part-two--69653576Carlota, in Mexican garb Pope Pius IX Napoleon III and his wife, the Empress Eugenie, 1865 The chapel built on the Hill of the Bells, Maximillian's execution site in Queretaro Eduard Manet's, "Execution of the Emperor Maximillian," inaccurately depicting Maximillian in the center, wearing a sombrero. His executioners are symbolically wearing French infantry uniforms and the soldier loading his rifle is similar in appearance to Napoleon III. The painting was publicly banned in France. Maximillian's sarcophagus in the Hapsburg Imperial Crypt, Vienna. Maximillian I, death mask. Maximillian's embalmed corpse, photographed in Mexico. Carlota, 1914 Bouchout Castle, Belgium. Final home of Carlota. Like something out of a fairy tale, in 1864, a European power installed an Austrian nobleman as Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico, ultimately resulting in tragedy, madness and execution. This episode unravels the ambitious plot by Napoleon III to install a European monarch in the New World, and the tragic consequences that followed. From Habsburg royalty to Mexican ruler, Maximilian's journey is filled with political intrigue, cultural clashes, and personal struggles. Learn how this idealistic prince found himself caught between European imperialism and Mexican nationalism, ultimately leading to his downfall. Perfect for history buffs and fans of untold stories, this bite-sized biography brings to life a chapter of history often overlooked in textbooks. Dive into the world of 19th-century politics, royal ambitions, and the clash of empires. Like, subscribe, and explore more fascinating figures you thought you knew – or never knew existed!]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2541Thu, 17 Oct 2024 07:21:09 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Carlota, in Mexican garb Pope Pius IX Napoleon III and his wife, the Empress Eugenie, 1865 The chapel built on the Hill of the Bells, Maximillian's execution site in Queretaro Eduard Manet's, "Execution of the Emperor Maximillian," inaccurately...Carlota, in Mexican garb Pope Pius IX Napoleon III and his wife, the Empress Eugenie, 1865 The chapel built on the Hill of the Bells, Maximillian's execution site in Queretaro Eduard Manet's, "Execution of the Emperor Maximillian," inaccurately depicting Maximillian in the center, wearing a sombrero. His executioners are symbolically wearing French infantry uniforms and the soldier loading his rifle is similar in appearance to Napoleon III. The painting was publicly banned in France. Maximillian's sarcophagus in the Hapsburg Imperial Crypt, Vienna. Maximillian I, death mask. Maximillian's embalmed corpse, photographed in Mexico. Carlota, 1914 Bouchout Castle, Belgium. Final home of Carlota. Like something out of a fairy tale, in 1864, a European power installed an Austrian nobleman as Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico, ultimately resulting in tragedy, madness and execution. This episode unravels the ambitious plot by Napoleon III to install a European monarch in the New World, and the tragic consequences that followed. From Habsburg royalty to Mexican ruler, Maximilian's journey is filled with political intrigue, cultural clashes, and personal struggles. Learn how this idealistic prince found himself caught between European imperialism and Mexican nationalism, ultimately leading to his downfall. Perfect for history buffs and fans of untold stories, this bite-sized biography brings to life a chapter of history often overlooked in textbooks. Dive into the world of 19th-century politics, royal ambitions, and the clash of empires. Like, subscribe, and explore more fascinating figures you thought you knew – or never knew existed!]]>2683falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/frank-morris-and-the-anglin-brothers-the-true-story-of-the-alcatraz-escape-part-one--69653585Frank Morris John Anglin Clarence Anglin Allen West Ralph Roe Theodore Cole Doc Barker The true story Of Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin and their remarkable escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers orchestrated one of the most daring prison escapes in history from Alcatraz, the notorious "escape-proof" island fortress. This episode delves into the fascinating backstories of these cunning inmates and the intricate planning behind their audacious 1962 breakout attempt. Discover how they exploited Alcatraz's weakening infrastructure, crafted makeshift tools, and devised an ingenious plan to fool guards with dummy heads. Uncover the untold story of how these determined convicts challenged the myth of Alcatraz's impenetrability and sparked a manhunt that continues to captivate the public imagination decades later. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast, history buff, or simply love tales of incredible ingenuity, this gripping account of the escape from Alcatraz will leave you spellbound. Don't miss this thrilling journey into one of America's most enduring mysteries!]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2527Wed, 25 Sep 2024 01:16:28 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFrank Morris John Anglin Clarence Anglin Allen West Ralph Roe Theodore Cole Doc Barker The true story Of Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin and their remarkable escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers...Frank Morris John Anglin Clarence Anglin Allen West Ralph Roe Theodore Cole Doc Barker The true story Of Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin and their remarkable escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers orchestrated one of the most daring prison escapes in history from Alcatraz, the notorious "escape-proof" island fortress. This episode delves into the fascinating backstories of these cunning inmates and the intricate planning behind their audacious 1962 breakout attempt. Discover how they exploited Alcatraz's weakening infrastructure, crafted makeshift tools, and devised an ingenious plan to fool guards with dummy heads. Uncover the untold story of how these determined convicts challenged the myth of Alcatraz's impenetrability and sparked a manhunt that continues to captivate the public imagination decades later. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast, history buff, or simply love tales of incredible ingenuity, this gripping account of the escape from Alcatraz will leave you spellbound. Don't miss this thrilling journey into one of America's most enduring mysteries!]]>2523falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/frank-morris-and-the-anglin-brothers-the-true-story-of-the-alcatraz-escape-part-two--69653535Alcatraz with Angel Island in the background. Utility corridor behind the escapees' cells. The four dummy heads used during the escape. Escapee cell with fake grill removed. John Paul Scott Fort Point, Golden Gate, near where John Paul Scott washed ashore Alcatraz, with Little Alcatraz visible, lower left Alcatraz Lighthouse at night. The true story Of Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin and their remarkable escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers orchestrated one of the most daring prison escapes in history from Alcatraz, the notorious "escape-proof" island fortress. This episode delves into the fascinating backstories of these cunning inmates and the intricate planning behind their audacious 1962 breakout attempt. Discover how they exploited Alcatraz's weakening infrastructure, crafted makeshift tools, and devised an ingenious plan to fool guards with dummy heads. Uncover the untold story of how these determined convicts challenged the myth of Alcatraz's impenetrability and sparked a manhunt that continues to captivate the public imagination decades later. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast, history buff, or simply love tales of incredible ingenuity, this gripping account of the escape from Alcatraz will leave you spellbound. Don't miss this thrilling journey into one of America's most enduring mysteries!]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2516Wed, 25 Sep 2024 01:01:14 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Alcatraz with Angel Island in the background. Utility corridor behind the escapees' cells. The four dummy heads used during the escape. Escapee cell with fake grill removed. John Paul Scott Fort Point, Golden Gate, near where John Paul Scott washed...Alcatraz with Angel Island in the background. Utility corridor behind the escapees' cells. The four dummy heads used during the escape. Escapee cell with fake grill removed. John Paul Scott Fort Point, Golden Gate, near where John Paul Scott washed ashore Alcatraz, with Little Alcatraz visible, lower left Alcatraz Lighthouse at night. The true story Of Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin and their remarkable escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers orchestrated one of the most daring prison escapes in history from Alcatraz, the notorious "escape-proof" island fortress. This episode delves into the fascinating backstories of these cunning inmates and the intricate planning behind their audacious 1962 breakout attempt. Discover how they exploited Alcatraz's weakening infrastructure, crafted makeshift tools, and devised an ingenious plan to fool guards with dummy heads. Uncover the untold story of how these determined convicts challenged the myth of Alcatraz's impenetrability and sparked a manhunt that continues to captivate the public imagination decades later. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast, history buff, or simply love tales of incredible ingenuity, this gripping account of the escape from Alcatraz will leave you spellbound. Don't miss this thrilling journey into one of America's most enduring mysteries!]]>2411falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-great-locomotive-chase-james-andrews-daring-civil-war-raid-and-the-first-medal-of-honor-part-one--69653583The General today, on display, Southern Museum, Kenesaw, (formerly Big Shanty) Georgia. James J. Andrews General Don Carlos Buell General Ormsby Mitchel Plaque in Atlanta, Georgia denoting the spot where James J. Andrews was hanged on June 7, 1862 One of the most incredible stories of the Civil War Discover the thrilling true story of James Andrews, the Union spy who orchestrated one of the Civil War's most audacious missions. In 1862, Andrews led a group of Union soldiers deep behind enemy lines to steal a Confederate locomotive and wreak havoc on Southern supply lines. This episode uncovers the incredible details of their high-stakes heist, the nail-biting pursuit that followed, and the ultimate fate of these daring raiders. Learn how this forgotten hero's actions led to the first-ever Medal of Honor and why his story deserves to be remembered. Perfect for history buffs, Civil War enthusiasts, and anyone who loves tales of courage and cunning from America's past.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2501Thu, 29 Aug 2024 23:38:48 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe General today, on display, Southern Museum, Kenesaw, (formerly Big Shanty) Georgia. James J. Andrews General Don Carlos Buell General Ormsby Mitchel Plaque in Atlanta, Georgia denoting the spot where James J. Andrews was hanged on June 7, 1862 One...The General today, on display, Southern Museum, Kenesaw, (formerly Big Shanty) Georgia. James J. Andrews General Don Carlos Buell General Ormsby Mitchel Plaque in Atlanta, Georgia denoting the spot where James J. Andrews was hanged on June 7, 1862 One of the most incredible stories of the Civil War Discover the thrilling true story of James Andrews, the Union spy who orchestrated one of the Civil War's most audacious missions. In 1862, Andrews led a group of Union soldiers deep behind enemy lines to steal a Confederate locomotive and wreak havoc on Southern supply lines. This episode uncovers the incredible details of their high-stakes heist, the nail-biting pursuit that followed, and the ultimate fate of these daring raiders. Learn how this forgotten hero's actions led to the first-ever Medal of Honor and why his story deserves to be remembered. Perfect for history buffs, Civil War enthusiasts, and anyone who loves tales of courage and cunning from America's past.]]>2324falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-great-locomotive-chase-james-andrews-daring-civil-war-raid-and-the-first-medal-of-honor-part-two--69653520Rendition of the execution of seven of the Andrew's Raiders The General, refurbished for a celebration with some of the original raiders and William Fuller, conductor, leaning on post. Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War John Scott's Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously after Scott was hanged. The monument to Andrew's Raiders at Chattanooga National Cemetery, James J. Andrews grave is in the left forefront One of the most incredible stories of the Civil War. Discover the thrilling true story of James Andrews, the Union spy who orchestrated one of the Civil War's most audacious missions. In 1862, Andrews led a group of Union soldiers deep behind enemy lines to steal a Confederate locomotive and wreak havoc on Southern supply lines. This episode uncovers the incredible details of their high-stakes heist, the nail-biting pursuit that followed, and the ultimate fate of these daring raiders. Learn how this forgotten hero's actions led to the first-ever Medal of Honor and why his story deserves to be remembered. Perfect for history buffs, Civil War enthusiasts, and anyone who loves tales of courage and cunning from America's past.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2493Thu, 29 Aug 2024 23:27:58 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Rendition of the execution of seven of the Andrew's Raiders The General, refurbished for a celebration with some of the original raiders and William Fuller, conductor, leaning on post. Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War John Scott's Medal of Honor,...Rendition of the execution of seven of the Andrew's Raiders The General, refurbished for a celebration with some of the original raiders and William Fuller, conductor, leaning on post. Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War John Scott's Medal of Honor, awarded posthumously after Scott was hanged. The monument to Andrew's Raiders at Chattanooga National Cemetery, James J. Andrews grave is in the left forefront One of the most incredible stories of the Civil War. Discover the thrilling true story of James Andrews, the Union spy who orchestrated one of the Civil War's most audacious missions. In 1862, Andrews led a group of Union soldiers deep behind enemy lines to steal a Confederate locomotive and wreak havoc on Southern supply lines. This episode uncovers the incredible details of their high-stakes heist, the nail-biting pursuit that followed, and the ultimate fate of these daring raiders. Learn how this forgotten hero's actions led to the first-ever Medal of Honor and why his story deserves to be remembered. Perfect for history buffs, Civil War enthusiasts, and anyone who loves tales of courage and cunning from America's past.  ]]>2261falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/laurence-olivier-and-vivien-leigh-a-tumultuous-hollywood-romance-part-one--69653551Olivier in Wuthering Heights Jill Esmond Leigh and Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire Hattie McDaniel, Olivia De Havilland and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind   Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, Gone With the Wind.   Poster for one of the many revivals that made Gone With the Wind the most profitable film ever made. Publicly,  perceived as one of the great romances of the 20th century, privately the Oliviers endured infidelity, severe mental illness and ultimately divorce. Discover the tumultuous love story of Hollywood legends Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in this captivating episode. From their scandalous affair to their rise as cinema's power couple, we uncover the passion, drama, and mental health struggles behind their iconic careers. Learn how Olivier's Shakespearean ambitions and Leigh's breakout role in "Gone with the Wind" shaped their destinies. Delve into the golden age of Hollywood, exploring the making of classics like "Wuthering Heights" and the behind-the-scenes tensions of "Gone with the Wind." This bite-sized biography reveals the human side of these larger-than-life figures, offering a glimpse into their triumphs, tribulations, and lasting impact on film history. Perfect for history buffs, classic movie fans, and anyone fascinated by the untold stories of famous figures.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2475Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:10:55 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Olivier in Wuthering Heights Jill Esmond Leigh and Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire Hattie McDaniel, Olivia De Havilland and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind   Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, Gone With the Wind.   Poster for one of the...Olivier in Wuthering Heights Jill Esmond Leigh and Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire Hattie McDaniel, Olivia De Havilland and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind   Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, Gone With the Wind.   Poster for one of the many revivals that made Gone With the Wind the most profitable film ever made. Publicly,  perceived as one of the great romances of the 20th century, privately the Oliviers endured infidelity, severe mental illness and ultimately divorce. Discover the tumultuous love story of Hollywood legends Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in this captivating episode. From their scandalous affair to their rise as cinema's power couple, we uncover the passion, drama, and mental health struggles behind their iconic careers. Learn how Olivier's Shakespearean ambitions and Leigh's breakout role in "Gone with the Wind" shaped their destinies. Delve into the golden age of Hollywood, exploring the making of classics like "Wuthering Heights" and the behind-the-scenes tensions of "Gone with the Wind." This bite-sized biography reveals the human side of these larger-than-life figures, offering a glimpse into their triumphs, tribulations, and lasting impact on film history. Perfect for history buffs, classic movie fans, and anyone fascinated by the untold stories of famous figures.]]>2663falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/laurence-olivier-and-vivien-leigh-a-tumultuous-hollywood-romance-part-two--69653592Olivier in Rebecca with Joan Fontaine The Oliviers in Australia, the smiles would eventually fade Vivien Leigh, 1957 Olivier’s costume in Spartacus Olivier in, “The Entertainer,” with Joan Plowright Olivier and Joan Plowright visiting the Reagan’s in the White House in the 80’s Olivier’s grave in Westminster Abbey Publicly,  perceived as one of the great romances of the 20th century, privately the Oliviers endured infidelity, severe mental illness and ultimately divorce. Discover the tumultuous love story of Hollywood legends Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in this captivating episode. From their scandalous affair to their rise as cinema's power couple, we uncover the passion, drama, and mental health struggles behind their iconic careers. Learn how Olivier's Shakespearean ambitions and Leigh's breakout role in "Gone with the Wind" shaped their destinies. Delve into the golden age of Hollywood, exploring the making of classics like "Wuthering Heights" and the behind-the-scenes tensions of "Gone with the Wind." This bite-sized biography reveals the human side of these larger-than-life figures, offering a glimpse into their triumphs, tribulations, and lasting impact on film history. Perfect for history buffs, classic movie fans, and anyone fascinated by the untold stories of famous figures.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2470Wed, 31 Jul 2024 23:50:04 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOlivier in Rebecca with Joan Fontaine The Oliviers in Australia, the smiles would eventually fade Vivien Leigh, 1957 Olivier’s costume in Spartacus Olivier in, “The Entertainer,” with Joan Plowright Olivier and Joan Plowright visiting the Reagan’s in...Olivier in Rebecca with Joan Fontaine The Oliviers in Australia, the smiles would eventually fade Vivien Leigh, 1957 Olivier’s costume in Spartacus Olivier in, “The Entertainer,” with Joan Plowright Olivier and Joan Plowright visiting the Reagan’s in the White House in the 80’s Olivier’s grave in Westminster Abbey Publicly,  perceived as one of the great romances of the 20th century, privately the Oliviers endured infidelity, severe mental illness and ultimately divorce. Discover the tumultuous love story of Hollywood legends Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in this captivating episode. From their scandalous affair to their rise as cinema's power couple, we uncover the passion, drama, and mental health struggles behind their iconic careers. Learn how Olivier's Shakespearean ambitions and Leigh's breakout role in "Gone with the Wind" shaped their destinies. Delve into the golden age of Hollywood, exploring the making of classics like "Wuthering Heights" and the behind-the-scenes tensions of "Gone with the Wind." This bite-sized biography reveals the human side of these larger-than-life figures, offering a glimpse into their triumphs, tribulations, and lasting impact on film history. Perfect for history buffs, classic movie fans, and anyone fascinated by the untold stories of famous figures.  ]]>2435falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/butch-and-sundance-friendship-crime-and-the-end-of-the-old-west-part-one--69653579Butch Cassidy's boyhood home, Circleville, Utah
Butch Cassidy, Wyoming prison mugshot
Telluride location of first Cassidy holdup, bank building was actually the white building to the right Montpelier, Idaho, site of Cassidy holdup
Sundance and Etta, shortly before they left for Argentina In 1969, the 20th Century Fox film, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” established these two outlaws as popular culture icons. But what was the truth about the lives, crimes and deaths of these two American legends? Discover the true story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, beyond Hollywood's portrayal. This episode uncovers the real-life adventures of these infamous outlaws, from their humble beginnings to their daring train robberies. Learn how Robert Leroy Parker became the legendary Butch Cassidy, his friendship with the Sundance Kid, and the formation of the Wild Bunch. Explore the Old West's most notorious gang, their hideouts, and the relentless pursuit by lawmen and Pinkerton agents. Unravel the mysteries surrounding their fate and separate fact from fiction in this thrilling historical journey. Perfect for history buffs, true crime enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the legends of the American frontier.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2437Sun, 23 Jun 2024 00:18:48 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Butch Cassidy's boyhood home, Circleville, Utah Butch Cassidy, Wyoming prison mugshot Telluride location of first Cassidy holdup, bank building was actually the white building to the right Montpelier, Idaho, site of Cassidy holdup Sundance and...Butch Cassidy's boyhood home, Circleville, Utah
Butch Cassidy, Wyoming prison mugshot
Telluride location of first Cassidy holdup, bank building was actually the white building to the right Montpelier, Idaho, site of Cassidy holdup
Sundance and Etta, shortly before they left for Argentina In 1969, the 20th Century Fox film, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” established these two outlaws as popular culture icons. But what was the truth about the lives, crimes and deaths of these two American legends? Discover the true story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, beyond Hollywood's portrayal. This episode uncovers the real-life adventures of these infamous outlaws, from their humble beginnings to their daring train robberies. Learn how Robert Leroy Parker became the legendary Butch Cassidy, his friendship with the Sundance Kid, and the formation of the Wild Bunch. Explore the Old West's most notorious gang, their hideouts, and the relentless pursuit by lawmen and Pinkerton agents. Unravel the mysteries surrounding their fate and separate fact from fiction in this thrilling historical journey. Perfect for history buffs, true crime enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the legends of the American frontier.]]>1738falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/butch-and-sundance-friendship-crime-and-the-end-of-the-old-west-part-two--69653536Butch and Sundance's Argentine cabin today.
Posse containing Joe Lefors
The house used in the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," in which Katherine Ross lives and Paul Newman rides a bicycle during the song "Raindrops Keep Falling ON My Head."
Entrance to the Hole In the Wall near Kaycee, Wyoming
Location near Durango, Colorado where Newman and Redford jump into the river to escape the Lefors posse
Historical marker denoting the site of Fort Worth's Hell's Half Acre. In 1969, the 20th Century Fox film, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," established these two outlaws as popular culture icons. But what was the truth about the lives, crimes and deaths of these two American legends? Discover the true story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, beyond Hollywood's portrayal. This episode uncovers the real-life adventures of these infamous outlaws, from their humble beginnings to their daring train robberies. Learn how Robert Leroy Parker became the legendary Butch Cassidy, his friendship with the Sundance Kid, and the formation of the Wild Bunch. Explore the Old West's most notorious gang, their hideouts, and the relentless pursuit by lawmen and Pinkerton agents. Unravel the mysteries surrounding their fate and separate fact from fiction in this thrilling historical journey. Perfect for history buffs, true crime enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the legends of the American frontier.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2429Sun, 23 Jun 2024 00:08:31 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Butch and Sundance's Argentine cabin today. Posse containing Joe Lefors The house used in the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," in which Katherine Ross lives and Paul Newman rides a bicycle during the song "Raindrops Keep Falling ON My...Butch and Sundance's Argentine cabin today.
Posse containing Joe Lefors
The house used in the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," in which Katherine Ross lives and Paul Newman rides a bicycle during the song "Raindrops Keep Falling ON My Head."
Entrance to the Hole In the Wall near Kaycee, Wyoming
Location near Durango, Colorado where Newman and Redford jump into the river to escape the Lefors posse
Historical marker denoting the site of Fort Worth's Hell's Half Acre. In 1969, the 20th Century Fox film, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," established these two outlaws as popular culture icons. But what was the truth about the lives, crimes and deaths of these two American legends? Discover the true story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, beyond Hollywood's portrayal. This episode uncovers the real-life adventures of these infamous outlaws, from their humble beginnings to their daring train robberies. Learn how Robert Leroy Parker became the legendary Butch Cassidy, his friendship with the Sundance Kid, and the formation of the Wild Bunch. Explore the Old West's most notorious gang, their hideouts, and the relentless pursuit by lawmen and Pinkerton agents. Unravel the mysteries surrounding their fate and separate fact from fiction in this thrilling historical journey. Perfect for history buffs, true crime enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the legends of the American frontier.]]>1984falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-heroes-of-telemark-norway-s-secret-war-against-hitler-s-atomic-dreams-part-one--69653542Norsk Hydro Plant, Vemork
Leif Trondstadt
Heavy water produced at Telemark British glider on tow rope
Reichskomisar Joseph Terboven
General Nicholas Van Falkenhirst
SS Officer Frederich Fehlis Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi Germany, Allied intelligence determined that an electrical plant at Rjukan, Norway was providing a crucial element in a potential German atomic bomb. As a result, Norwegian commandos embarked on one of the most successful and heroic operations of World War II. Discover the untold story of the Norwegian heroes who sabotaged Hitler's atomic weapons program. This episode delves into the daring Operation Freshman and the subsequent Operation Gunnerside, revealing how a small group of resistance fighters and Allied commandos risked everything to destroy the Nazi heavy water production facility at Vemork. Learn about Leif Tronstadt, the brilliant chemist-turned-spy, and the brave men who skied across treacherous terrain to change the course of World War II. Uncover the high-stakes world of wartime espionage, cutting-edge science, and unsung heroism in this gripping tale of courage against overwhelming odds.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2413Fri, 24 May 2024 21:57:20 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Norsk Hydro Plant, Vemork Leif Trondstadt Heavy water produced at Telemark British glider on tow rope Reichskomisar Joseph Terboven General Nicholas Van Falkenhirst SS Officer Frederich Fehlis Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi...Norsk Hydro Plant, Vemork
Leif Trondstadt
Heavy water produced at Telemark British glider on tow rope
Reichskomisar Joseph Terboven
General Nicholas Van Falkenhirst
SS Officer Frederich Fehlis Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi Germany, Allied intelligence determined that an electrical plant at Rjukan, Norway was providing a crucial element in a potential German atomic bomb. As a result, Norwegian commandos embarked on one of the most successful and heroic operations of World War II. Discover the untold story of the Norwegian heroes who sabotaged Hitler's atomic weapons program. This episode delves into the daring Operation Freshman and the subsequent Operation Gunnerside, revealing how a small group of resistance fighters and Allied commandos risked everything to destroy the Nazi heavy water production facility at Vemork. Learn about Leif Tronstadt, the brilliant chemist-turned-spy, and the brave men who skied across treacherous terrain to change the course of World War II. Uncover the high-stakes world of wartime espionage, cutting-edge science, and unsung heroism in this gripping tale of courage against overwhelming odds.]]>2181falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-heroes-of-telemark-norway-s-secret-war-against-hitler-s-atomic-dreams-part-two--69653522Leif Transtad with King Haakon VII, 1944
Lake Tinnsjo, sight of the SF Hydro sinking
The ferry SF Hydro
King Haakon VII congratulating Telemark commandos.
Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi Germany, Allied intelligence determined that an electrical plant at Rjukan, Norway was providing a crucial element in a potential German atomic bomb. As a result, Norwegian commandos embarked on one of the most successful and heroic operations of World War II. Discover the untold story of the Norwegian heroes who sabotaged Hitler's atomic weapons program. This episode delves into the daring Operation Freshman and the subsequent Operation Gunnerside, revealing how a small group of resistance fighters and Allied commandos risked everything to destroy the Nazi heavy water production facility at Vemork. Learn about Leif Tronstadt, the brilliant chemist-turned-spy, and the brave men who skied across treacherous terrain to change the course of World War II. Uncover the high-stakes world of wartime espionage, cutting-edge science, and unsung heroism in this gripping tale of courage against overwhelming odds.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2402Fri, 24 May 2024 21:41:40 +0000Philip D. Gibbons  Leif Transtad with King Haakon VII, 1944 Lake Tinnsjo, sight of the SF Hydro sinking The ferry SF Hydro King Haakon VII congratulating Telemark commandos. Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi Germany, Allied intelligence determined that...Leif Transtad with King Haakon VII, 1944
Lake Tinnsjo, sight of the SF Hydro sinking
The ferry SF Hydro
King Haakon VII congratulating Telemark commandos.
Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi Germany, Allied intelligence determined that an electrical plant at Rjukan, Norway was providing a crucial element in a potential German atomic bomb. As a result, Norwegian commandos embarked on one of the most successful and heroic operations of World War II. Discover the untold story of the Norwegian heroes who sabotaged Hitler's atomic weapons program. This episode delves into the daring Operation Freshman and the subsequent Operation Gunnerside, revealing how a small group of resistance fighters and Allied commandos risked everything to destroy the Nazi heavy water production facility at Vemork. Learn about Leif Tronstadt, the brilliant chemist-turned-spy, and the brave men who skied across treacherous terrain to change the course of World War II. Uncover the high-stakes world of wartime espionage, cutting-edge science, and unsung heroism in this gripping tale of courage against overwhelming odds.  ]]>2604falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-gardner-heist-when-isabella-s-vision-met-modern-crime-part-one--69653597Isabella Stewart Gardner
John Lowell (Jack) Gardner Jr.
Bernard Berenson in his Italian villa.
Botticelli, The Tragedy of Lucretia
Rembrandt, Storm on the Sea of Galilee
Rembrandt, Self-Portrait, damaged, not stolen. Titian, Rape of Europa
Vermeer, the Music Lesson
Manet, Chez Tortoni
Rembrandt, A Man and Woman in Black
Flinck, Landscape with Obelisk
John Singer Sargent, Isabella Stewart Gardner
Gardner Museum, Central Courtyard]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2378Thu, 02 May 2024 22:30:11 +0000Philip D. GibbonsDiscover the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a trailblazing art collector and socialite who left an indelible mark on Boston's cultural landscape. This episode delves into Gardner's journey from New York socialite to renowned art patron,...Isabella Stewart Gardner
John Lowell (Jack) Gardner Jr.
Bernard Berenson in his Italian villa.
Botticelli, The Tragedy of Lucretia
Rembrandt, Storm on the Sea of Galilee
Rembrandt, Self-Portrait, damaged, not stolen. Titian, Rape of Europa
Vermeer, the Music Lesson
Manet, Chez Tortoni
Rembrandt, A Man and Woman in Black
Flinck, Landscape with Obelisk
John Singer Sargent, Isabella Stewart Gardner
Gardner Museum, Central Courtyard]]>3149falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-gardner-heist-when-isabella-s-vision-met-modern-crime-part-two--69653538Gardner Museum security guard, Rick Abath
Myles Connor, later in life.
William Youngworth III, Late 90's.
Robert "Bobby" Donati, as a young man
Isabella Stewart Gardner, 1907
Gardner Museum, 1920
Robert Gentile
Ryan McGuigan
One of the three searches of Robert Gentile's property
Recent photo of the original Gardner building
Recent photo of Gardner 2012 addition.
Isabella Stewart Gardner, 1922, by John Singer Sargent
Gardner Family Mausoleum, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA
]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2362Thu, 02 May 2024 22:08:50 +0000Philip D. GibbonsDiscover the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a trailblazing art collector and socialite who left an indelible mark on Boston's cultural landscape. This episode delves into Gardner's journey from New York socialite to renowned art patron,...Gardner Museum security guard, Rick Abath
Myles Connor, later in life.
William Youngworth III, Late 90's.
Robert "Bobby" Donati, as a young man
Isabella Stewart Gardner, 1907
Gardner Museum, 1920
Robert Gentile
Ryan McGuigan
One of the three searches of Robert Gentile's property
Recent photo of the original Gardner building
Recent photo of Gardner 2012 addition.
Isabella Stewart Gardner, 1922, by John Singer Sargent
Gardner Family Mausoleum, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA
]]>2933falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/hiram-bingham-the-real-indiana-jones-and-the-lost-city-of-machu-picchu-part-one--69653566Hiram Bingham, at Harvard, with wife Alfreda Church built on the former site of the Coricancha, Cuzco, Peru Francisco Pizarro Capture of Atahualpa by Pizarro at Cajamarca Execution of Atahualpa by Pizarro, Cajamarca Sacsayhuaman fortress ruins, Cuzco]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2345Mon, 25 Mar 2024 23:37:51 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIN 1911, an American explorer, Hiram Bingham, re-discovered the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, helping to popularize this site, which today is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Hiram Bingham, at Harvard, with wife Alfreda Church built on...Hiram Bingham, at Harvard, with wife Alfreda Church built on the former site of the Coricancha, Cuzco, Peru Francisco Pizarro Capture of Atahualpa by Pizarro at Cajamarca Execution of Atahualpa by Pizarro, Cajamarca Sacsayhuaman fortress ruins, Cuzco]]>2387falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/hiram-bingham-the-real-indiana-jones-and-the-lost-city-of-machu-picchu-part-two--69653595Hiram Bingham, 1912 Machu Pichu, Hayna Picchu in the background Machu Picchu, photographed by Hiram Bingham Hiram Bingham, Air Corps during WWI Bingham, US Senator Bingham with other members of President's Coolidge's committee on Aviation . Hiram Bingham Grave, Arlington National Cemetery]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2336Mon, 25 Mar 2024 23:25:46 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIN 1911, an American explorer, Hiram Bingham, re-discovered the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, helping to popularize this site, which today is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Hiram Bingham, 1912 Machu Pichu, Hayna Picchu in the...Hiram Bingham, 1912 Machu Pichu, Hayna Picchu in the background Machu Picchu, photographed by Hiram Bingham Hiram Bingham, Air Corps during WWI Bingham, US Senator Bingham with other members of President's Coolidge's committee on Aviation . Hiram Bingham Grave, Arlington National Cemetery]]>2243falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-lindbergh-his-triumph-and-tragedy-part-one--69653556Charles with his father.
Lindbergh as Air Cadet
Anne Morrow, as a young girl
Lindbergh, with The Spirit of St. Louis
The Spirit of St. Louis at the Smithsonian
Lindbergh and his plane, mobbed at Croyden, England, 1927
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
The former Lindbergh Estate in Hopewell, New Jersey, now a state facility for juvenile youth
Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr.
The Lindbergh baby, cover of Time.
Wanted poster, after the child's kidnapping
With Goering in Germany, 1936]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2313Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:39:15 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe triumph, tragedy and bizarre secrets of one of the 20th century’s most prominent figures. Charles with his father. Lindbergh as Air Cadet Anne Morrow, as a young girl Lindbergh, with The Spirit of St. Louis The Spirit of St. Louis at the...Charles with his father.
Lindbergh as Air Cadet
Anne Morrow, as a young girl
Lindbergh, with The Spirit of St. Louis
The Spirit of St. Louis at the Smithsonian
Lindbergh and his plane, mobbed at Croyden, England, 1927
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
The former Lindbergh Estate in Hopewell, New Jersey, now a state facility for juvenile youth
Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr.
The Lindbergh baby, cover of Time.
Wanted poster, after the child's kidnapping
With Goering in Germany, 1936]]>3386falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-lindbergh-his-triumph-and-tragedy-part-two--69653545Bruno Richard Hauptmann John Condon on the witness stand
Lindbergh on the witness stand.
Gasoline can which contained ransom cash, found in Hauptmann's garage
Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr., New Jersey State Police, father of subsequent Desert Storm commander. Lindbergh in the Pacific, 1944
Charles and Anne Lindbergh, with JFK
Lindbergh, later in life, in the Philippines.
Lindbergh grave, Kipahalu, Maui, Hawaii]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2301Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:19:18 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe triumph, tragedy and bizarre secrets of one of the 20th century's most prominent figures. Bruno Richard Hauptmann John Condon on the witness stand Lindbergh on the witness stand. Gasoline can which contained ransom cash, found in Hauptmann's...Bruno Richard Hauptmann John Condon on the witness stand
Lindbergh on the witness stand.
Gasoline can which contained ransom cash, found in Hauptmann's garage
Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr., New Jersey State Police, father of subsequent Desert Storm commander. Lindbergh in the Pacific, 1944
Charles and Anne Lindbergh, with JFK
Lindbergh, later in life, in the Philippines.
Lindbergh grave, Kipahalu, Maui, Hawaii]]>3739falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bruce-reynolds-gordon-goody-and-the-great-british-train-robbery-of-1963-part-one--69653598Bruce Reynolds
Gordon Goody
Recent photo, Sears Crossing
Bridge #127, Bridego Bridge
Ronnie Biggs, mug shot
Ronnie Biggs, Bruce Reynolds and their sons]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2286Tue, 23 Jan 2024 03:12:44 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1963, two British criminals masterminded the robbery of 2.6 million pounds in cash from a Royal Mail Train, an amount worth 45 million pounds today. The robbery and its aftermath caused a nationwide sensation. Bruce Reynolds Gordon Goody Recent...Bruce Reynolds
Gordon Goody
Recent photo, Sears Crossing
Bridge #127, Bridego Bridge
Ronnie Biggs, mug shot
Ronnie Biggs, Bruce Reynolds and their sons]]>2333falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bruce-reynolds-gordon-goody-and-the-great-british-train-robbery-of-1963-part-two--69653539Detective Tommy Butler
Leatherslade Farm Judge Edmund Davies, entering court
Plaque at Crewe railroad station commemorating Jack Mills and David Whitby
Charmain Biggs, in later years
Gordon Goody, later years
Grave of Bruce Reynolds, sculpted by his son Nick, Highgate Cemetery]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2277Tue, 23 Jan 2024 02:55:34 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1963, two British criminals masterminded the robbery of 2.6 million pounds in cash from a Royal Mail Train, an amount worth 45 million pounds today. The robbery and its aftermath caused a nationwide sensation. Detective Tommy Butler Leatherslade...Detective Tommy Butler
Leatherslade Farm Judge Edmund Davies, entering court
Plaque at Crewe railroad station commemorating Jack Mills and David Whitby
Charmain Biggs, in later years
Gordon Goody, later years
Grave of Bruce Reynolds, sculpted by his son Nick, Highgate Cemetery]]>2898falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-dickens-his-life-and-work-part-one--69653565Charles Dickens, as a younger man
Catherine Dickens, 1838
Ebeneezer Scrooge and Marley's ghost, A Christmas Carol
Grip, the Raven. Barnaby Rudge
Freddy Bartholomew, in the original MGM version of David Copperfirld
Dickens, in later life]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2263Mon, 18 Dec 2023 06:49:45 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAcclaimed in his lifetime for his remarkable literary career, Charles Dickens’ private life was wracked by dysfunction, scandal and the cruelty he inflicted on his wife and his children. Charles Dickens, as a younger man Catherine Dickens, 1838...Charles Dickens, as a younger man
Catherine Dickens, 1838
Ebeneezer Scrooge and Marley's ghost, A Christmas Carol
Grip, the Raven. Barnaby Rudge
Freddy Bartholomew, in the original MGM version of David Copperfirld
Dickens, in later life]]>3088falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-dickens-his-life-and-work-part-two--69653616Portrait of Dickens, 1850
Catherine Hogarth Dickens, 1852
Gerorgina Hogarth and Dickens daughter, Mamie
Charles Dickens, in hat, with family
Grave of Charles Dickens, Westminster Abbey
Catherine Dickens and daughter's grave, Highgate Cemetery, London]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2255Mon, 18 Dec 2023 06:38:24 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAcclaimed in his lifetime for his remarkable literary career, Charles Dickens' private life was wracked by dysfunction, scandal and the cruelty he inflicted on his wife and his children. Portrait of Dickens, 1850 Catherine Hogarth Dickens, 1852...Portrait of Dickens, 1850
Catherine Hogarth Dickens, 1852
Gerorgina Hogarth and Dickens daughter, Mamie
Charles Dickens, in hat, with family
Grave of Charles Dickens, Westminster Abbey
Catherine Dickens and daughter's grave, Highgate Cemetery, London]]>3344falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/william-bradford-and-the-voyage-of-the-mayflower-part-one--69653567Postcard of the Mayflower
On November 11, 1620, a 100 foot long cargo ship called the Mayflower entered what is today known as Provincetown Harbor, virtually on the tip of present day Cape Cod.  This was the culmination of over two months at sea for 102 immigrants, originally from England, some of this contingent intent on establishing their own religious settlement in the New World, free from persecution from the British crown.  Their Atlantic crossing was difficult, their time spent mostly below deck, lashed by gale driven waves that left them and their clothes and quarters in a miserably damp and chilly condition, their diet of hardtack, dried meat and watered down beer little comfort. Artist's rendition William Bradford
William Bradford was born in March of 1590, in Austerfield, Yorkshire, England.  The exact date is unknown although he was baptized on March 19 of that same year.  Many members of his family died when he was a child, and Bradford was orphaned by the age of seven.  Sent to live with two uncles, he spent most of his time as a farm laborer and his leisure activity consisted of reading and studying the Bible and other classic philosophical tracts.  Intellectually curious, he was exposed to various sermons of area preachers who radically suggested that the Church of England was still inappropriately influenced by Catholicism.   Edward Winslow
Figuring he couldn’t just abandon the Billington boy, Bradford ordered ten armed men, including Edward Winslow, to load up the small sailing ship used during exploration, take Squanto and another native interpreter, Tokamahamon and head to eastern Cape Cod and Nauset territory.  A storm forced the boat to come ashore at what is now Barnstable, Massachusetts, on the northern shore of the Cape, about halfway across the lower portion of the peninsula.  Mayflower passengers praying during Atlantic crossing
The passengers were situated on the deck immediately located underneath the open air of the main deck.  While they could hear waves and smell sea water, they were unable to view the horizon or the surface of the sea around them.  Tossed practically on top of each other in makeshift compartments created by cloth curtains, the Separatist contingent strived to get along with each other, realizing that the stress of the voyage would only be increased by personality conflicts.   Signing the Mayflower Compact
This premature landing outside of territory designated by British authorities presented an immediate problem.  Since the Stranger contingent on board was inclined to dispute any attempts at the Separatists controlling the governance of the colonists once they landed, assertions were made that as a result of the ship landing in an undesignated territory, they were free to do as they wished and were not obliged to respect any other authority.  To address this situation several charismatic individuals on board the ship composed an agreement that set out specifically what laws and guidelines should be followed by the community.  Containing ideas generally suggested mostly by William Brewster, this agreement, known historically as the Mayflower Compact also resulted from some of the formerly aloof Strangers like Christopher Martin understanding that for the colony to financially succeed and for the Adventurers to get any kind of return on their investment, all of the Settlers needed to work together.   Massasoit
Samoset identified the area as under the control of Massasoit, the Sachem or leader of a tribe known as the Pokanokets, and today as the Wampanoags.  Massasoit resided in the nearby Narragansett Bay area of Rhode Island.  The first Thanksgiving
Although this festival was the impetus for the national American holiday known as Thanksgiving, the colonists at Plymouth would not have referred to their planned, three day event by that name, a term they applied instead to a much more serious religious rite acknowledging gratitude to the almighty.  Instead, they celebrated with games, military exercises and vast amounts of food and drink.  Only four adult women, including Susanna White Winslow were still alive to help cook the meal, along with their daughters and a few servants.   Stamp honoring the Pilgrims
Although on a daily basis, life continued to be harsh and frequently unforgiving, by the end of September, settlers at Plymouth Colony seemed to have turned a corner.  They concluded the first harvest of all of the crops that they meticulously planted earlier in the Spring.  Corn, Squash, Beans and even some amounts of barley and peas were stockpiled, a plentiful contrast to the dreadful deprivation of the previous winter.  As massive flocks of ducks and geese migrated through the area, the settlers were able to hunt down as many of these birds as they wished, again putting aside a large quantity to help celebrate a tradition that was centuries old, a harvest festival, consisting of food, drink and good cheer.  But this festival was also an acknowledgement of their special gratitude to their original ally, Massasoit, who Bradford described as arriving with five deer, oysters, a hundred participants and another addition to the festivities, wild turkey. ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2211Tue, 14 Nov 2023 04:45:34 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe remarkable story of the courage and suffering of the passengers aboard the Mayflower and the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. Postcard of the Mayflower On November 11, 1620, a 100 foot long cargo ship called the Mayflower entered what is...Postcard of the Mayflower
On November 11, 1620, a 100 foot long cargo ship called the Mayflower entered what is today known as Provincetown Harbor, virtually on the tip of present day Cape Cod.  This was the culmination of over two months at sea for 102 immigrants, originally from England, some of this contingent intent on establishing their own religious settlement in the New World, free from persecution from the British crown.  Their Atlantic crossing was difficult, their time spent mostly below deck, lashed by gale driven waves that left them and their clothes and quarters in a miserably damp and chilly condition, their diet of hardtack, dried meat and watered down beer little comfort. Artist's rendition William Bradford
William Bradford was born in March of 1590, in Austerfield, Yorkshire, England.  The exact date is unknown although he was baptized on March 19 of that same year.  Many members of his family died when he was a child, and Bradford was orphaned by the age of seven.  Sent to live with two uncles, he spent most of his time as a farm laborer and his leisure activity consisted of reading and studying the Bible and other classic philosophical tracts.  Intellectually curious, he was exposed to various sermons of area preachers who radically suggested that the Church of England was still inappropriately influenced by Catholicism.   Edward Winslow
Figuring he couldn’t just abandon the Billington boy, Bradford ordered ten armed men, including Edward Winslow, to load up the small sailing ship used during exploration, take Squanto and another native interpreter, Tokamahamon and head to eastern Cape Cod and Nauset territory.  A storm forced the boat to come ashore at what is now Barnstable, Massachusetts, on the northern shore of the Cape, about halfway across the lower portion of the peninsula.  Mayflower passengers praying during Atlantic crossing
The passengers were situated on the deck immediately located underneath the open air of the main deck.  While they could hear waves and smell sea water, they were unable to view the horizon or the surface of the sea around them.  Tossed practically on top of each other in makeshift compartments created by cloth curtains, the Separatist contingent strived to get along with each other, realizing that the stress of the voyage would only be increased by personality conflicts.   Signing the Mayflower Compact
This premature landing outside of territory designated by British authorities presented an immediate problem.  Since the Stranger contingent on board was inclined to dispute any attempts at the Separatists controlling the governance of the colonists once they landed, assertions were made that as a result of the ship landing in an undesignated territory, they were free to do as they wished and were not obliged to respect any other authority.  To address this situation several charismatic individuals on board the ship composed an agreement that set out specifically what laws and guidelines should be followed by the community.  Containing ideas generally...]]>2393falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/william-bradford-and-the-voyage-of-the-mayflower-part-two--69653559Artist's rendition of Samoset entering Plymouth Colony
On March 16, the inevitable occurred, although the incident did not unfold as the settlers previously feared.  As described in a pamphlet entitled, “Mourt’s Relation,” a description of the first year of Plymouth Colony, co-written by William Bradford and another settler named Edward Winslow, with work suspended for a regularly scheduled meeting about specific plans for the defense of the settlement, the meeting participants became aware of a native looking down at their group from a nearby hill.  This had happened previously, but whenever an inhabitant gestured or even attempted to make contact with these previous visitors, the natives fled.  This time, however, the lone native began to purposefully walk directly towards the settlement.  Without hesitation, he walked past the crude lane of houses and seemed headed directly towards the shelter that protected the colony’s women and children during such an emergency.  Without overt hostility, some of the armed settlers got in his way and made it clear he could not enter the shelter.  Instead of bristling or running away, this remarkably tall, long haired individual dressed only in an animal skin loin cloth stood to his full height, saluted and probably understanding the effect he would elicit cheerfully spoke the words, “Hello, English!” Fanciful artist's rendition of Pilgrim's landing
Sunday was of course another leisurely day, but on Monday, they began to reconnoiter the harbor in earnest.  It was certainly deep enough for a ship the size of the Mayflower, and eventually, upon landing on shore they found large areas suitable for agriculture, fresh water in several streams and no obvious signs of any kind of recent habitation by natives.  Additionally, although at least one sizable boulder was certainly situated in the area, there was no mention by Bradford in either of his two personal accounts of this excursion of a landing assisted by a large rock.  This seems to have been an invention of subsequent residents, much to the delight of future chambers of commerce.  Today, an elaborate, arched, templelike edifice encloses a rather unimpressive large rock embossed with the date of 1620, the alleged landing spot of America’s Pilgrims.   Mayflower II, a reconstruction of the original ship
With the onset of Spring and milder weather, the establishment of at least an initial footprint of a settlement and the astonishing new relationship with a powerful local ally, Captain Christopher Jones decided that this was the appropriate time to sail back to England.  After all of its cargo was removed and brought ashore, rocks were added for ballast and, on April 5, the Mayflower slowly made its way out of the harbor, an introspective moment for all of those left on shore.  Because of the seasonably calm weather and westerly prevailing winds that propelled the ship instead of impeding the craft, It took only a month for the Mayflower to reach its home port and Jones’ residence on the outskirts of London at Rotherhithe.  For a brief period he and his ship continued to participate in transporting goods like sugar between England and neighboring countries across the English Channel.  But Jones’ health, permanently impaired by his Atlantic crossing with the Plymouth settlers, was undermined to the extent that he died on March 5, 1622, less than a year after returning from North America.  The ship remained unused for two years, tied up in the Thames near Rotherhithe. Without proper maintenance, it fell into disrepair and eventually its owners which included Jones’ widow, applied for an official valuation from the Admiralty, which came to a little more than one hundred pounds.  There are no substantiated accounts as to what happened after the ship was dismantled, the most appealing suggestion that the timber from the ship eventually was used to construct a barn in the county of Buckinghamshire.  For many years this structure was presented to tourists as a Mayflower relic, today it is closed to the public, its historical provenance suspect. King Philip's War
The belief that Wamsutta was poisoned was one of the fundamental grievances that eventually contributed in 1675 to one of the most violent and costly native rebellions in US history.  One of Metacomet’s military opponents was Josiah Winslow, then governor of Plymouth colony and the son of Edward Winslow.  At its conclusion, three years later, dozens of colonial New England settlements lay in ruins and thousands of settlers were killed or injured.   Myles Standish on the march
Although he waited until the Spring, Standish resolved to preemptively extinguish the threat before any such attack.  In late March of 1623, he invited several powerful native warriors and sachems to participate in negotiations to resolve their complaints.  Instead, when this meeting occurred, and upon serving large amounts of food and alcohol, the most prominent natives present, Wituwamat and Pecksuot and another warrior were attacked, Standish grabbing the knife from around Wituwamat’s neck and personally stabbing him repeatedly in the chest, killing him.  Wituwamat’s teenage brother, who was waiting in the vicinity was also subdued and subsequently hanged.  Wituwamat was then beheaded and his head stuck on a pike at the main entry gate at Plymouth Plantation.  The residents of Wessagussett either sailed the Swan to fishing villages in Maine or relocated to Plymouth. Myles Standish grave, Duxbury, MA
Myles Standish also lived into his seventies, his military position serving Plymouth Plantation ending around 1635.  By then he and others had successfully negotiated with the Merchant Adventurers to retire their debt, Standish receiving a 120 acre farm in the area known today as Duxbury, Massachusetts.  He subsequently served in various Plymouth Colony administrative positions, including as a kind of superintendent of highways until his death in 1656, aged 72. ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2201Tue, 14 Nov 2023 04:33:38 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe remarkable story of the courage and suffering of the passengers aboard the Mayflower and the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. Artist's rendition of Samoset entering Plymouth Colony On March 16, the inevitable occurred, although the...Artist's rendition of Samoset entering Plymouth Colony
On March 16, the inevitable occurred, although the incident did not unfold as the settlers previously feared.  As described in a pamphlet entitled, “Mourt’s Relation,” a description of the first year of Plymouth Colony, co-written by William Bradford and another settler named Edward Winslow, with work suspended for a regularly scheduled meeting about specific plans for the defense of the settlement, the meeting participants became aware of a native looking down at their group from a nearby hill.  This had happened previously, but whenever an inhabitant gestured or even attempted to make contact with these previous visitors, the natives fled.  This time, however, the lone native began to purposefully walk directly towards the settlement.  Without hesitation, he walked past the crude lane of houses and seemed headed directly towards the shelter that protected the colony’s women and children during such an emergency.  Without overt hostility, some of the armed settlers got in his way and made it clear he could not enter the shelter.  Instead of bristling or running away, this remarkably tall, long haired individual dressed only in an animal skin loin cloth stood to his full height, saluted and probably understanding the effect he would elicit cheerfully spoke the words, “Hello, English!” Fanciful artist's rendition of Pilgrim's landing
Sunday was of course another leisurely day, but on Monday, they began to reconnoiter the harbor in earnest.  It was certainly deep enough for a ship the size of the Mayflower, and eventually, upon landing on shore they found large areas suitable for agriculture, fresh water in several streams and no obvious signs of any kind of recent habitation by natives.  Additionally, although at least one sizable boulder was certainly situated in the area, there was no mention by Bradford in either of his two personal accounts of this excursion of a landing assisted by a large rock.  This seems to have been an invention of subsequent residents, much to the delight of future chambers of commerce.  Today, an elaborate, arched, templelike edifice encloses a rather unimpressive large rock embossed with the date of 1620, the alleged landing spot of America’s Pilgrims.   Mayflower II, a reconstruction of the original ship
With the onset of Spring and milder weather, the establishment of at least an initial footprint of a settlement and the astonishing new relationship with a powerful local ally, Captain Christopher Jones decided that this was the appropriate time to sail back to England.  After all of its cargo was removed and brought ashore, rocks were added for ballast and, on April 5, the Mayflower slowly made its way out of the harbor, an introspective moment for all of those left on shore.  Because of the seasonably calm weather and westerly prevailing winds that propelled the ship instead of impeding the craft, It took only a month for the Mayflower to reach its home port and Jones’ residence on the outskirts of London at Rotherhithe.  For a brief period he and his ship continued to participate in transporting goods like sugar between England and neighboring countries across the English Channel.  But Jones’ health, permanently impaired by his Atlantic crossing with the Plymouth settlers, was undermined to the extent that he died on March 5,...]]>2425falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nathan-leopold-richard-loeb-clarence-darrow-and-the-crime-of-the-century-part-one--69653623Nathan Leopold
During their scouring of the Wolf Lake area, police detectives questioned the game warden of the forest preserve that was located nearby about any recurring visitors to the location.  One of the names he revealed was that of Nathan Leopold, Jr a nineteen year old ornithologist and recent Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Chicago, currently taking a class at the University of Chicago’s law school.  On Sunday morning, May 25, two policeman were sent to Leopold’s home to pick up the teenager for questioning, the house coincidentally in the Kenwood section near both the Harvard School and Bobby Franks’ house.  Leopold had plans for a date that Sunday and was initially resistant to coming down to the precinct, but the police assured him that their captain just wanted to ask some routine questions and if he brought his car he would be back in no time.  Richard Loeb
Once Richard Loeb’s name was mentioned he also was brought to the LaSalle, placed in a separate room and questioned until the early morning hours.  He claimed he left Leopold around dinnertime and mentioned nothing about picking up girls, an obvious contradiction that was certainly suspicious.  The next morning, Leopold and Loeb found themselves in custody, in separate police stations, Leopold at Crowe’s headquarters in the Criminal Courts Building, Loeb at a nearby precinct house.   Bobby and Jacob Franks
At the Franks’ house, as the dinner hour approached, Bobby Franks’ parents began to wonder where their son was.  Jacob and Flora Franks were the type of typically wealthy family that populated the Kenwood neighborhood.  Jacob Franks’ wealth initially stemmed from a pawn shop he inherited from his parents known as Franks Collateral Loan Bank.  Franks eventually diversified his business interests, first into separate watch and watch case manufacturing companies and then into various real estate and stock investments which generated a net worth of at least 1.5 million 1924 dollars, equivalent to about 27 million dollars today. Graves of Bobby and Jacob Franks
Because of the incredible public and media interest generated by the death of Bobby Franks, the Franks family decided to hold a small, private funeral service in their home as opposed to what might become a public circus.  The Franks family were converts to Christian Science from Judaism and the affair consisted of various readings and hymns before a police escort accompanied the Franks procession to Rosehill cemetery, the pallbearers all fellow students from the Harvard School.  Clarence Darrow
Understanding his nephew’s predicament, Jacob Loeb decided to reach out to an even more prominent individual, Clarence Darrow.  By 1924, Darrow was nearing the conclusion of one of the most illustrious and controversial legal careers in US history.  Starting from a small law practice in the tiny Ohio town of Andover, Darrow eventually made his way to the city of Chicago where he became famous and frequently vilified for representing various labor officials like Eugene Debs and Big Bill Haywood.  A 1911 scandal involving a Los Angeles bombing case which resulted in Darrow negotiating a plea deal and accusations of jury tampering via bribery alienated the attorney from organized labor.  Darrow then switched to criminal and civil defense, mostly involving defendants facing the death penalty.  In over 100 cases, Darrow had only one defendant executed and that was when he joined the defense only for the penalty phase of the trial.  Despite a practically disheveled appearance, Darrow’s quick legal mind and remarkable eloquence during impassioned closing arguments made him the most famous trial lawyer in America.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2188Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:28:46 +0000Philip D. GibbonsLong before Claus Von Bulow or OJ Simpson, in 1924, two Chicago teenagers committed what was called at the time, “The Crime of the Century,” only to be spared by the efforts of the greatest defense attorney in American history. Nathan Leopold...Nathan Leopold
During their scouring of the Wolf Lake area, police detectives questioned the game warden of the forest preserve that was located nearby about any recurring visitors to the location.  One of the names he revealed was that of Nathan Leopold, Jr a nineteen year old ornithologist and recent Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Chicago, currently taking a class at the University of Chicago’s law school.  On Sunday morning, May 25, two policeman were sent to Leopold’s home to pick up the teenager for questioning, the house coincidentally in the Kenwood section near both the Harvard School and Bobby Franks’ house.  Leopold had plans for a date that Sunday and was initially resistant to coming down to the precinct, but the police assured him that their captain just wanted to ask some routine questions and if he brought his car he would be back in no time.  Richard Loeb
Once Richard Loeb’s name was mentioned he also was brought to the LaSalle, placed in a separate room and questioned until the early morning hours.  He claimed he left Leopold around dinnertime and mentioned nothing about picking up girls, an obvious contradiction that was certainly suspicious.  The next morning, Leopold and Loeb found themselves in custody, in separate police stations, Leopold at Crowe’s headquarters in the Criminal Courts Building, Loeb at a nearby precinct house.   Bobby and Jacob Franks
At the Franks’ house, as the dinner hour approached, Bobby Franks’ parents began to wonder where their son was.  Jacob and Flora Franks were the type of typically wealthy family that populated the Kenwood neighborhood.  Jacob Franks’ wealth initially stemmed from a pawn shop he inherited from his parents known as Franks Collateral Loan Bank.  Franks eventually diversified his business interests, first into separate watch and watch case manufacturing companies and then into various real estate and stock investments which generated a net worth of at least 1.5 million 1924 dollars, equivalent to about 27 million dollars today. Graves of Bobby and Jacob Franks
Because of the incredible public and media interest generated by the death of Bobby Franks, the Franks family decided to hold a small, private funeral service in their home as opposed to what might become a public circus.  The Franks family were converts to Christian Science from Judaism and the affair consisted of various readings and hymns before a police escort accompanied the Franks procession to Rosehill cemetery, the pallbearers all fellow students from the Harvard School.  Clarence Darrow
Understanding his nephew’s predicament, Jacob Loeb decided to reach out to an even more prominent individual, Clarence Darrow.  By 1924, Darrow was nearing the conclusion of one of the most illustrious and controversial legal careers in US history.  Starting from a small law practice in the tiny Ohio town of Andover, Darrow eventually made his way to the city of Chicago where he became...]]>3619falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nathan-leopold-richard-loeb-clarence-darrow-and-the-crime-of-the-century-part-two--69653569Chicago Criminals Court Buildings
Clarence Darrow would not begin his summation until the afternoon of August 23rd, so anticipated throughout the city of Chicago that a mob descended on the courthouse hoping to push into the courtroom.  This throng congregated in the stairwells, common areas and hallways leading to the sixth floor chamber where Darrow was scheduled to speak.  Twice after the midday recess, the famed attorney attempted to begin his summation, only to stop, the noise of spectators emanating from the hallway outside of the court too boisterous, police and bailiffs struggling to push the crowd out of the courtroom’s proximity.  Angrily, the judge contacted the city police chief directly, demanding that order be restored.  Within minutes, additional police resorting to billy clubs eventually removed the source of this distraction.  Crowe, Leopold, Loeb and Darrow before Judge Caverly
Leopold and Loeb, prison mug shots Leopold and Loeb would begin serving hard time at Joliet state prison, a forbidding stone edifice housing some of Illinois’ most hardened criminals.  One immediate hardship was the end of the meals that they were able to order from a Chicago restaurant during their trial.  Although they granted interviews upon their entrance to the prison, Loeb would never publicly speak again and Leopold waited twenty years before interacting with a journalist.  This despite repeated press attempts to provide updates on the successive anniversaries of their incarceration.  Possibly to separate the two prisoners, Leopold was quickly transferred to Stateville prison, a brand new maximum security facility.  The formerly high profile prisoners were so isolated that Leopold only found out about the 1929 death of his father from a prison employee. Nathan Leopold, 1958
Despite his recent parole rejection, Leopold cooperated with the Saturday Evening Post on an April, 1955, four part series that was sympathetic.  Even more eventful was the 1956 novel Compulsion written by Meyer Levin, a runaway best seller that was a very thinly disguised account of the Loeb and Leopold murder and an eventual film starring Orson Welles.  Once again, Nathan Leopold was an American celebrity, although he hated the book and sued Levin and 20th Century Fox for invasion of privacy, an unsuccessful suit that dragged on for most of the rest of his life.  Perhaps, attempting to tell his side of the story, in 1958, Leopold published Life Plus 99 Years, a sanitized autobiography also undertaken to persuade any future parole proceedings. A best seller, the book created an additional groundswell for Leopold’s release.  This sentiment finally played out on February 13, 1958 when Nathan Leopold emerged from Stateville Prison, a free man.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2180Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:16:00 +0000Philip D. GibbonsLong before Claus Von Bulow or OJ Simpson, in 1924, two Chicago teenagers committed what was called at the time, "The Crime of the Century," only to be spared by the efforts of the greatest defense attorney in American history. Chicago Criminals...Chicago Criminals Court Buildings
Clarence Darrow would not begin his summation until the afternoon of August 23rd, so anticipated throughout the city of Chicago that a mob descended on the courthouse hoping to push into the courtroom.  This throng congregated in the stairwells, common areas and hallways leading to the sixth floor chamber where Darrow was scheduled to speak.  Twice after the midday recess, the famed attorney attempted to begin his summation, only to stop, the noise of spectators emanating from the hallway outside of the court too boisterous, police and bailiffs struggling to push the crowd out of the courtroom’s proximity.  Angrily, the judge contacted the city police chief directly, demanding that order be restored.  Within minutes, additional police resorting to billy clubs eventually removed the source of this distraction.  Crowe, Leopold, Loeb and Darrow before Judge Caverly
Leopold and Loeb, prison mug shots Leopold and Loeb would begin serving hard time at Joliet state prison, a forbidding stone edifice housing some of Illinois’ most hardened criminals.  One immediate hardship was the end of the meals that they were able to order from a Chicago restaurant during their trial.  Although they granted interviews upon their entrance to the prison, Loeb would never publicly speak again and Leopold waited twenty years before interacting with a journalist.  This despite repeated press attempts to provide updates on the successive anniversaries of their incarceration.  Possibly to separate the two prisoners, Leopold was quickly transferred to Stateville prison, a brand new maximum security facility.  The formerly high profile prisoners were so isolated that Leopold only found out about the 1929 death of his father from a prison employee. Nathan Leopold, 1958
Despite his recent parole rejection, Leopold cooperated with the Saturday Evening Post on an April, 1955, four part series that was sympathetic.  Even more eventful was the 1956 novel Compulsion written by Meyer Levin, a runaway best seller that was a very thinly disguised account of the Loeb and Leopold murder and an eventual film starring Orson Welles.  Once again, Nathan Leopold was an American celebrity, although he hated the book and sued Levin and 20th Century Fox for invasion of privacy, an unsuccessful suit that dragged on for most of the rest of his life.  Perhaps, attempting to tell his side of the story, in 1958, Leopold published Life Plus 99 Years, a sanitized autobiography also undertaken to persuade any future parole proceedings. A best seller, the book created an additional groundswell for Leopold’s release.  This sentiment finally played out on February 13, 1958 when Nathan Leopold emerged from Stateville Prison, a free man.]]>2879falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/johnny-carson-the-king-of-comedy-part-one--69653560Johnny Carson, in the Navy. Carson and his idol, Jack Benny Carson, hosting "Who Do You Trust?" Carson, with his three sons, 1955 Carson, publicity photo, 1957 Carson with Ed McMahon, shortly after their Tonight Show stint began Carson, early years of the Tonight Show]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2165Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:15:14 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe dark reality behind the persona of one of America's most beloved public figures. Johnny Carson, in the Navy. Carson and his idol, Jack Benny Carson, hosting "Who Do You Trust?" Carson, with his three sons, 1955 Carson, publicity...Johnny Carson, in the Navy. Carson and his idol, Jack Benny Carson, hosting "Who Do You Trust?" Carson, with his three sons, 1955 Carson, publicity photo, 1957 Carson with Ed McMahon, shortly after their Tonight Show stint began Carson, early years of the Tonight Show]]>2713falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/johnny-carson-the-king-of-comedy-part-two--69653591Johnny's second wife Joanne, in 1960
On August 17, 1963, Carson, possibly feeling more secure professionally with more than a year under his belt at the new show, married his longtime girlfriend, Joanne Carson.  This despite years of fighting publicly, acrimonious vacations in which one of them left and went home early and numerous friends and acquaintances advising them not to tie the knot.  Even the ceremony and reception were odd.  Only a tiny number of participants witnessed the actual marriage, the couple’s parents not even invited.  The reception included only a few more individuals and was held at Johnny’s apartment, the guests mostly Tonight Show related staff like bandleader Skitch Henderson and producer Art Stark.  Johnny's third wife, Joanna
Joanna Carson was a former fashion model who had spent much of her life in the rarified company of extremely wealthy, sophisticated, older men.  Her companion before Johnny was the CEO and chairman of the Hertz Rent a Car corporation.  Johnny, still essentially a scotch drinking steak and potatoes Midwesterner, began to acquire a more diverse outlook courtesy of his latest wife.  Completely uninterested up to that point in travel, he began his annual pilgrimage to the Wimbledon tennis championships, featured prominently on the NBC broadcast back to the US.  He typically followed that up with several weeks on the Cap D’Antibes along the French Riviera, enjoying the fact that he went mostly unrecognized.  Instead of hard liquor he began to temper his alcohol intake with a fine Bordeaux or Montrachet.  But one constant, despite a well appointed Bel Air residence on St. Cloud Road, the Carsons never threw parties and were rarely seen socially, their house again a secluded refuge to escape from public exposure. Johnny and frequent guest, Angie Dickinson
It was hard to feel sorry for Carson, whose womanizing was so blatant that when Joanna convened a meeting in her home of the women’s Beverly Hills charity that she participated in, Johnny would single out at least one of the participants and strongly come on to them.  Upon signing the divorce papers, Johnny turned to his now ex-wife and said, “What I’ll miss most is not being able to talk to you.”  Carson certainly made good on his word, never speaking with Joanna Carson again. Henry Bushkin, in 2014, discussing his relationship with Johnny Carson Joan Rivers got her big break on the Tonight Show, but ultimately was exiled
Joan Rivers also was exiled when, in 1987, she accepted an offer from Fox Television to host a late night talk show that would compete with Johnny.  Rivers was already frustrated by NBC’s refusal to both offer her a contract as Johnny’s replacement host, and especially that she was not on an NBC list of stars to even be considered when and if Johnny retired.  Although other hosts and comedians attempted to compete with Johnny and still remained in Carson’s good graces, most notably Joey Bishop, Joan Rivers made the unforgivable sin of negotiating with Fox, putting together her show and never even telling Johnny about it in advance.  Her eleventh hour attempt to reach out to him on the eve of the program was rejected, assistants told that he would not take her call at any time in the future.  NBC President Fred Silverman, 1979If Silverman thought confronting Johnny publicly and even implying that his show was somehow deficient were effective negotiating tools, he was sorely mistaken.  Having never formally even met Carson as network president, Silverman did so on March 17, 1979.  Carson not only refused to work additional hours, he also told Silverman that he wanted off the show as soon as possible.  Although Silverman did remind him at this meeting that he had a contract through 1981, Carson publicly announced that he would be leaving the show on September 30, 1979, the seventeenth anniversary of the program.  Whether this was his actual intent, a negotiating ploy or merely a gesture designed to put an arrogant egotistical network executive in his place, the negotiations dragged on into May of 1980.  When they concluded, Johnny Carson had extracted the most favorable contract in the history of network television.   Johnny and his fourth wife, Alexis Maas
Following his retirement, Johnny Carson became even more reclusive, spending most of his time behind the gates of his massive Malibu mansion that overlooked Point Dume.  He spent a great deal of time on his private tennis court, especially built for him by NBC, one of the few of its kind in the vicinity.  His only companion, his fourth wife, who he married in 1987, Alexis Maas, a stunning blue eyed blonde he met while she was walking by his other Malibu beach house, which he eventually sold to John McEnroe. ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2156Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:01:53 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe dark reality behind the persona of one of America's most beloved public figures. Johnny's second wife Joanne, in 1960 On August 17, 1963, Carson, possibly feeling more secure professionally with more than a year under his belt at the new...Johnny's second wife Joanne, in 1960
On August 17, 1963, Carson, possibly feeling more secure professionally with more than a year under his belt at the new show, married his longtime girlfriend, Joanne Carson.  This despite years of fighting publicly, acrimonious vacations in which one of them left and went home early and numerous friends and acquaintances advising them not to tie the knot.  Even the ceremony and reception were odd.  Only a tiny number of participants witnessed the actual marriage, the couple’s parents not even invited.  The reception included only a few more individuals and was held at Johnny’s apartment, the guests mostly Tonight Show related staff like bandleader Skitch Henderson and producer Art Stark.  Johnny's third wife, Joanna
Joanna Carson was a former fashion model who had spent much of her life in the rarified company of extremely wealthy, sophisticated, older men.  Her companion before Johnny was the CEO and chairman of the Hertz Rent a Car corporation.  Johnny, still essentially a scotch drinking steak and potatoes Midwesterner, began to acquire a more diverse outlook courtesy of his latest wife.  Completely uninterested up to that point in travel, he began his annual pilgrimage to the Wimbledon tennis championships, featured prominently on the NBC broadcast back to the US.  He typically followed that up with several weeks on the Cap D’Antibes along the French Riviera, enjoying the fact that he went mostly unrecognized.  Instead of hard liquor he began to temper his alcohol intake with a fine Bordeaux or Montrachet.  But one constant, despite a well appointed Bel Air residence on St. Cloud Road, the Carsons never threw parties and were rarely seen socially, their house again a secluded refuge to escape from public exposure. Johnny and frequent guest, Angie Dickinson
It was hard to feel sorry for Carson, whose womanizing was so blatant that when Joanna convened a meeting in her home of the women’s Beverly Hills charity that she participated in, Johnny would single out at least one of the participants and strongly come on to them.  Upon signing the divorce papers, Johnny turned to his now ex-wife and said, “What I’ll miss most is not being able to talk to you.”  Carson certainly made good on his word, never speaking with Joanna Carson again. Henry Bushkin, in 2014, discussing his relationship with Johnny Carson Joan Rivers got her big break on the Tonight Show, but ultimately was exiled
Joan Rivers also was exiled when, in 1987, she accepted an offer from Fox Television to host a late night talk show that would compete with Johnny.  Rivers was already frustrated by NBC’s refusal to both offer her a contract as Johnny’s replacement host, and especially that she was not on an NBC list of stars to even be considered when and if Johnny retired.  Although other hosts and comedians attempted to compete with Johnny and still remained in Carson’s good graces, most notably Joey Bishop, Joan Rivers made the unforgivable sin of negotiating with Fox, putting together her show and never even telling Johnny about it in advance.  Her eleventh hour attempt to reach out to him on the eve of the...]]>2116falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bernard-madoff-and-the-largest-fraud-in-financial-history-part-one--69653562Madoff, leaving Federal court during his prosecutionAgent Cacioppi was so taken aback by Madoff’s candor and unusual cooperation he called his office to determine what he should do next.  Typically, a subject with Bernie’s sophistication and community stature would refuse to answer questions and stall, at least requesting time to speak with or even have an attorney present before answering any questions.  Madoff’s admissions to the agents were an unexpected response.  The agent was told to arrest Madoff and bring him to FBI offices at 26 Federal Plaza.  Ruth MadoffUpon graduation from college, Madoff briefly attended Brooklyn Law School but unlike his brother Peter, who graduated from Fordham Law School, he dropped out after a year.  He did pass the requisite exams to not only sell financial securities but to also operate his own securities brokerage firm, which he formed in 1960, calling it Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities.  By then, Madoff was already married to Ruth Alpern, the daughter of a successful accountant, Saul Alpern.  Another occasional fable that Madoff spun was that his working capital came from his summer jobs installing sprinklers and as a lifeguard.  He frequently left out the fact that his father in law not only lent him fifty thousand dollars, he also gave him a desk in his firm’s office and referrals of all of Saul’s client base. Bernie Madoff's brother, Peter MadoffBy the early seventies, several personal events greatly affected Madoff, the sudden and relatively early death of both of his parents and the inclusion of his brother Peter into his growing business entity.  Between July 1972 and December 1974, Ralph and Sylvia would both die suddenly before their sixty-fifth birthdays an event that probably prompted the elder Bernie to take his younger brother under his business wing.  Peter was a critical employee who became more operations and technology oriented, helping to keep the firm’s broker dealership on the cutting edge of upgraded technology in a securities market environment that was undergoing a technological revolution.  And Peter would also assume the role of chief operations officer, a critical responsibility in any brokerage firm but even more so within Bernard L. Madoff investment securities. Andrew Madoff
Mark MadoffHis sons, Mark and Andrew, newly minted graduates of the University of Michigan and Wharton respectively were both now working for the firm, albeit on the broker dealer side of the business.   Official mug shot on day of arrestAvellino claimed that all of the money was there and was in the hands of his money manager, Bernard Madoff.  As soon as he had heard of the SEC inquiry, Madoff tried to get ahead of what he knew was coming.  Not only an SEC demand for the return of the assets but a possible scrutiny of his trading history to determine whether or not he in fact was running a legitimate money management firm, with ongoing investment in the markets.  To do this he tasked one of his employees, Frank DiPascali, the individual who already was involved in producing investor statements that were most likely either distorted if not out right falsified, to reconstruct trades for all of the Avellino and Bienes accounts that would demonstrate the profits necessary to generate the claimed returns.  These fictitious trades also had to stand up to SEC scrutiny.  Amazingly, Madoff’s conversations concerning his trading strategies and DiPascali’s creation satisfied the SEC, however they did get a court order to force Madoff to return what were illicitly collected funds. ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2141Wed, 16 Aug 2023 01:02:56 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe shocking story behind the biggest swindle in the history of Wall Street. Madoff, leaving Federal court during his prosecutionAgent Cacioppi was so taken aback by Madoff’s candor and unusual cooperation he called his office to determine what he...Madoff, leaving Federal court during his prosecutionAgent Cacioppi was so taken aback by Madoff’s candor and unusual cooperation he called his office to determine what he should do next.  Typically, a subject with Bernie’s sophistication and community stature would refuse to answer questions and stall, at least requesting time to speak with or even have an attorney present before answering any questions.  Madoff’s admissions to the agents were an unexpected response.  The agent was told to arrest Madoff and bring him to FBI offices at 26 Federal Plaza.  Ruth MadoffUpon graduation from college, Madoff briefly attended Brooklyn Law School but unlike his brother Peter, who graduated from Fordham Law School, he dropped out after a year.  He did pass the requisite exams to not only sell financial securities but to also operate his own securities brokerage firm, which he formed in 1960, calling it Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities.  By then, Madoff was already married to Ruth Alpern, the daughter of a successful accountant, Saul Alpern.  Another occasional fable that Madoff spun was that his working capital came from his summer jobs installing sprinklers and as a lifeguard.  He frequently left out the fact that his father in law not only lent him fifty thousand dollars, he also gave him a desk in his firm’s office and referrals of all of Saul’s client base. Bernie Madoff's brother, Peter MadoffBy the early seventies, several personal events greatly affected Madoff, the sudden and relatively early death of both of his parents and the inclusion of his brother Peter into his growing business entity.  Between July 1972 and December 1974, Ralph and Sylvia would both die suddenly before their sixty-fifth birthdays an event that probably prompted the elder Bernie to take his younger brother under his business wing.  Peter was a critical employee who became more operations and technology oriented, helping to keep the firm’s broker dealership on the cutting edge of upgraded technology in a securities market environment that was undergoing a technological revolution.  And Peter would also assume the role of chief operations officer, a critical responsibility in any brokerage firm but even more so within Bernard L. Madoff investment securities. Andrew Madoff
Mark MadoffHis sons, Mark and Andrew, newly minted graduates of the University of Michigan and Wharton respectively were both now working for the firm, albeit on the broker dealer side of the business.   Official mug shot on day of arrestAvellino claimed that all of the money was there and was in the hands of his money manager, Bernard Madoff.  As soon as he had heard of the SEC inquiry, Madoff tried to get ahead of what he knew was coming.  Not only an SEC demand for the return of the assets but a possible scrutiny of his trading history to determine whether or not he in fact was running a legitimate money management firm, with ongoing investment in the markets.  To do this he tasked one of his employees, Frank DiPascali, the individual who already was...]]>2399falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bernard-madoff-and-the-largest-fraud-in-financial-history-part-two--69653612Harry Markopolis, testifying before Congress
But, if many of Madoff’s clients were happy to not question  his returns and process, the cynical, highly competitive and data driven world of Wall Street always invited scrutiny of its biggest stars, even if this was the result of envy or alienation.  In Harry Markopolos, one found an individual motivated by both market place rejection and a competitively brilliant grasp of financial marketplace analytics.  In 1999, Markopolos was employed as a portfolio manager by Rampart Investment Management, a small Boston, Massachusetts options trading shop that managed a modest amount of money.  Markopolos was quite familiar with Bernie Madoff, his firm having marketed a split-strike conversion product that he helped develop.  Unfortunately, the product did not generate particularly good returns and was eventually scrapped, Markopolos additionally both intrigued and frustrated by repeated stories of the phenomenal performance generated by Bernie Madoff.  If you’re so smart, why the hell can’t you do what Bernie does? His hard boiled, Boston sales compatriots constantly needled him.  To a quant like Harry Markopolos this was the ultimate put down and challenge, but there wasn’t much he could substantively do about it. Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet
That changed when a senior co-worker named Frank Casey, returned from a New York sales call he had taken with Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet at Access International Advisers.  Villehuchet not only managed money for some of Europe’s most high profile aristocrats he was literally a member of the French nobility himself.  In his sixties, he was a client of Bernie Madoff’s since 1985, and rebuffed Casey’s sales pitch with glowing accounts of Madoff’s consistent high returns and reporting process that purported to send daily updates of all transactions performed on behalf of Access’s accounts.  Casey then played the only sales card he had left, asking why Rene-Thierry allowed Madoff to hold the securities he purchased on Access’s behalf himself, as opposed to a third party custodian which was required for registered investment managers.  Villehuchet’s answer was simple.  Bernie Madoff wasn’t a registered money manager, so he was not required to do so and the Frenchman was dismissive of any of Casey’s concern, saying he trusted Madoff implicitly.  The meeting quickly terminated with at least Villehuchet providing a copy of his returns and portfolio performance.  Casey subsequently got seven years of such performance from Broyhill Securities’ All Weather Fund, another Madoff feeder fund and tossed this information on Markopolos’ desk. Madoff conspirator, Frank DiPascali
This article was quickly followed up by another piece in the much more formidable business publication, Barrons, written by Erin Arvedlund.  Again, although not accusatory, it was certainly skeptical of Madoff with similarly specific questions.  Madoff’s response to these articles was to have Frank DiPascali construct a fake in-house computer terminal that supposedly was a trading platform connected to other trading counter parties, in fact it was connected to another employee’s in house terminal, hidden in another part of the office, all of these simulated trades completely bogus.  Another DiPascali creation was a supposed live screen of an account at the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, known as the DTC, where securities owned by Madoff purchased during alleged trades were being held in his account.  The fake reproduced the DTC’s logo, fonts, formats even the type of paper used for actual DTC reports. Mark Madoff's Nantucket home
On December 11, 2010, on the second anniversary of his father’s arrest, Mark Madoff committed suicide by hanging himself from his apartment ceiling with a dog leash.  At the time of his death he was the subject of nine federal lawsuits, including suits brought by trustee Picard.  His wife had already changed her and their childrens’ last name to Morgan.  Unlike Andrew he seemed deeply sensitive to allegations that he knew about the fraud.  His body was discovered by his stepfather in law when he rushed to the apartment after Mark’s wife received some alarming e-mails, Madoff’s 22 month old son and pet dog left alone in the apartment.  This suicide, did not stop the relentless Picard, who then filed suits against Mark’s ex-wife and current spouse to recover funds deemed ill gotten gains.  Bernie Madoff in prison, 2017
Upon sentencing Bernie Madoff was sent to the Federal Correctional Institution at Butner, North Carolina.  He occasionally granted interviews that were mostly self-serving with Madoff blaming his behavior on the culture of Wall Street or getting in over his head on something he never meant to pursue on a long term basis.  He expressed exasperation with his clients who he labeled as greedy, especially the big four, three of whom were now dead.  Although he continued to correspond with his wife, his two sons allegedly never spoke to him again, after he confessed his role in the fraud, one of few developments in his life that actually seemed to disturb him.  Although initially accounts of him being assaulted in prison circulated in the media, he eventually referred to Butner as a relatively pleasant place akin to a college campus, his main objection to prison the sheer boredom it entailed. ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2134Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:51:24 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe shocking story behind the biggest swindle in the history of Wall Street. Harry Markopolis, testifying before Congress But, if many of Madoff’s clients were happy to not question  his returns and process, the cynical, highly competitive and...Harry Markopolis, testifying before Congress
But, if many of Madoff’s clients were happy to not question  his returns and process, the cynical, highly competitive and data driven world of Wall Street always invited scrutiny of its biggest stars, even if this was the result of envy or alienation.  In Harry Markopolos, one found an individual motivated by both market place rejection and a competitively brilliant grasp of financial marketplace analytics.  In 1999, Markopolos was employed as a portfolio manager by Rampart Investment Management, a small Boston, Massachusetts options trading shop that managed a modest amount of money.  Markopolos was quite familiar with Bernie Madoff, his firm having marketed a split-strike conversion product that he helped develop.  Unfortunately, the product did not generate particularly good returns and was eventually scrapped, Markopolos additionally both intrigued and frustrated by repeated stories of the phenomenal performance generated by Bernie Madoff.  If you’re so smart, why the hell can’t you do what Bernie does? His hard boiled, Boston sales compatriots constantly needled him.  To a quant like Harry Markopolos this was the ultimate put down and challenge, but there wasn’t much he could substantively do about it. Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet
That changed when a senior co-worker named Frank Casey, returned from a New York sales call he had taken with Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet at Access International Advisers.  Villehuchet not only managed money for some of Europe’s most high profile aristocrats he was literally a member of the French nobility himself.  In his sixties, he was a client of Bernie Madoff’s since 1985, and rebuffed Casey’s sales pitch with glowing accounts of Madoff’s consistent high returns and reporting process that purported to send daily updates of all transactions performed on behalf of Access’s accounts.  Casey then played the only sales card he had left, asking why Rene-Thierry allowed Madoff to hold the securities he purchased on Access’s behalf himself, as opposed to a third party custodian which was required for registered investment managers.  Villehuchet’s answer was simple.  Bernie Madoff wasn’t a registered money manager, so he was not required to do so and the Frenchman was dismissive of any of Casey’s concern, saying he trusted Madoff implicitly.  The meeting quickly terminated with at least Villehuchet providing a copy of his returns and portfolio performance.  Casey subsequently got seven years of such performance from Broyhill Securities’ All Weather Fund, another Madoff feeder fund and tossed this information on Markopolos’ desk. Madoff conspirator, Frank DiPascali
This article was quickly followed up by another piece in the much more formidable business publication, Barrons, written by Erin Arvedlund.  Again, although not accusatory, it was certainly skeptical of Madoff with similarly specific questions.  Madoff’s response to these articles was to have Frank DiPascali construct a fake in-house computer terminal that supposedly was a trading platform connected to other trading counter parties, in fact it was connected to another employee’s in house terminal, hidden in another part of the office, all of these simulated trades completely bogus.  Another DiPascali creation was a supposed live screen of an account at the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, known as the DTC, where securities...]]>3397falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-duke-and-duchess-of-windsor-love-and-scandal-part-one--69653572King George V and his family, The Prince of Wales, far left
The future Edward VIII, known within his immediate family by the nickname of David, was born on June 23, 1894.  His father, George V, did not become the king until 1910, then anointing David, his eldest son, with the title of Prince of Wales, next in the line of royal succession. David was educated as a cadet at the Royal Naval College, went on to Oxford and also joined the Royal Navy.  When war broke out in 1914 he was assigned to a safe but extremely tedious post at Allied headquarters in France.  Although on paper Great Britain emerged victorious from the Great War, the cost in both casualties and expense was enormous. Across Europe, many royal dynasties were either rendered obsolete or even completely destroyed including the ruling houses of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Imperial Russia, the latter most disturbing as the Romanovs were literally exterminated by the Bolsheviks.  Wallis, aged 10
Actually born Bessie Wallis Warfield, on June 19, 1896, Wallis’ parents came from prominent Maryland families.  Unfortunately, Wallis’ father died of tuberculosis only months after her birth and her mother Alice’s family had disowned her as a result of the marriage, probably because her daughter was conceived out of wedlock.  The infant and her mother then were supported by her deceased husband’s wealthy brother and her mother’s sister Bessie, until 1908 when Wallis’ mother remarried.  Her uncle paid for a prep school education and Wallis was socially prominent and attractive enough to be designated as a Baltimore debutante, although the outbreak of World War I suspended such frivolity.  Not wild about some of the suitors hanging around Wallis in Maryland, her mother decided it might be a good idea to send her to Pensacola, Florida, where her cousin, Corinne was married to an officer who was the commander of the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.  Also feeling that Wallis was competitively trying to get married, her mother also figured that dropping her daughter into a brand new environment might slow Wallis down. The Prince of Wales, 1919
As early as the age of sixteen, discussion concerning an appropriate mate for the Prince of Wales began.  An obvious candidate, the daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm, eighteen year old Viktoria Luise, rejected him as too young.  He received some additional leeway when George V issued a 1917 proclamation allowing royalty to marry a non-royal subject, the first time even the potential for a commoner to achieve such status became possible.  This edict, at the height of World War I, also originated the term , “the House of Windsor,” changing the dynasty name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, an attempt to obfuscate the British monarchy’s German connection and to encourage future relationships outside of the German nobility.   Edward VIII's last public appearance as King, with his mother Queen Mary
Things came to a head in mid-November when Baldwin also informed Edward that if he insisted on the marriage, the government would resign.  Edward responded by threatening to abdicate if he was not allowed to marry Wallis Simpson.  On November 16, at a private dinner he informed his mother Queen Mary of his intention, a revelation that shocked her, no one in the Windsor family really believing that Edward would seriously consider such a drastic course of action, over a common, American divorcee.  Wallis Warfield Simpson, Herman Rogers chateau, days before the abdication
Edward, with Churchill
Only a few miles out of Fort Belvedere, Brownlow attempted to persuade Wallis to head for his manor house in Lincolnshire, explaining that she might better influence the king if she could maintain some reasonable proximity.  In actuality, this was a desperate attempt to keep Wallis Simpson involved, officials like Churchill understanding how persuasive she could be.   The Duke and Duchess with Hitler at the Berghof, 1936
The Duke and Duchess were greeted on October 11 in Berlin and escorted by ministers like Robert Ley and Joachim Von Ribbentrop.  That evening they dined with both Albert Speer and Joseph Goebbels.  Everywhere, the couple went they were treated with extreme deference, including Wallis Simpson who was continually addressed as your Royal Highness, a title she did not officially deserve as well as the subsequent curtsies.  Other meetings followed with Herman Goering and even Hitler himself, photos from this historic event splashed on front pages all over the world.  Several times the couple engaged in the Nazi salute, behavior they would come to regret.  To any members still part of her inner circle Wallis maintained that they were merely tourists and the Duke insisted that the visit was not official.  Throughout the visit, British consular officials were instructed that they were not to meet or assist the couple in any official capacity.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2119Mon, 10 Jul 2023 02:36:22 +0000Philip D. GibbonsLong before Harry and Meghan, a much more serious crisis and scandal enveloped the British monarchy and the House of Windsor, the abdication of Edward VIII King George V and his family, The Prince of Wales, far left The future Edward VIII, known...King George V and his family, The Prince of Wales, far left
The future Edward VIII, known within his immediate family by the nickname of David, was born on June 23, 1894.  His father, George V, did not become the king until 1910, then anointing David, his eldest son, with the title of Prince of Wales, next in the line of royal succession. David was educated as a cadet at the Royal Naval College, went on to Oxford and also joined the Royal Navy.  When war broke out in 1914 he was assigned to a safe but extremely tedious post at Allied headquarters in France.  Although on paper Great Britain emerged victorious from the Great War, the cost in both casualties and expense was enormous. Across Europe, many royal dynasties were either rendered obsolete or even completely destroyed including the ruling houses of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Imperial Russia, the latter most disturbing as the Romanovs were literally exterminated by the Bolsheviks.  Wallis, aged 10
Actually born Bessie Wallis Warfield, on June 19, 1896, Wallis’ parents came from prominent Maryland families.  Unfortunately, Wallis’ father died of tuberculosis only months after her birth and her mother Alice’s family had disowned her as a result of the marriage, probably because her daughter was conceived out of wedlock.  The infant and her mother then were supported by her deceased husband’s wealthy brother and her mother’s sister Bessie, until 1908 when Wallis’ mother remarried.  Her uncle paid for a prep school education and Wallis was socially prominent and attractive enough to be designated as a Baltimore debutante, although the outbreak of World War I suspended such frivolity.  Not wild about some of the suitors hanging around Wallis in Maryland, her mother decided it might be a good idea to send her to Pensacola, Florida, where her cousin, Corinne was married to an officer who was the commander of the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.  Also feeling that Wallis was competitively trying to get married, her mother also figured that dropping her daughter into a brand new environment might slow Wallis down. The Prince of Wales, 1919
As early as the age of sixteen, discussion concerning an appropriate mate for the Prince of Wales began.  An obvious candidate, the daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm, eighteen year old Viktoria Luise, rejected him as too young.  He received some additional leeway when George V issued a 1917 proclamation allowing royalty to marry a non-royal subject, the first time even the potential for a commoner to achieve such status became possible.  This edict, at the height of World War I, also originated the term , “the House of Windsor,” changing the dynasty name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, an attempt to obfuscate the British monarchy’s German connection and to encourage future relationships outside of the German nobility.   Edward VIII's last public appearance as King, with his mother Queen Mary
Things came to a head in mid-November when Baldwin also informed Edward that if he insisted on the marriage, the government would resign.  Edward responded by threatening to abdicate if he was not allowed to marry Wallis Simpson.  On November...]]>3252falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-duke-and-duchess-of-windsor-love-and-scandal-part-two--69653581The Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson, 1935
By mid-1934, even British high society insiders were aghast at what, “the little man,” as David was scornfully known as behind his back, had actually taken up with.  When the Royal family deliberately deleted the Simpsons from the Royal guest list for the wedding of David’s brother, George, in November of 1934, the Prince of Wales personally interceded to get them reinvited.  Probably thinking that a good offense is the best defense, Wallis showed up in expensive jewelry and a tiara that certainly her husband could not afford and could have only been gifted by David.  Outraged, King George V then personally barred the couple from any subsequent, official Royal events but the relationship blatantly continued, with Wallis receiving cash and gifts, usually gems that today would be on the order of tens of millions of dollars.   Edward's official letter of abdicationFinally, Edward called her back and personally told her that the abdication was inevitable.  Wallis Simpson’s unromantic and blunt response, recorded by French secret police, was predictable.  “You goddamned fool!”  Inexplicably, Edward decided to give up his throne, allegedly over Wallis Simpson, without even involving her in the decision or even formally asking her to marry him during this time period or even subsequently.  On December 11, he proceeded with his famous speech, explaining his decision to abdicate, allegedly over his relationship with Wallis Simpson.  Even his subsequent departure from Britain was haphazard, Edward now officially the Duke of Windsor, winding up at an Austrian mansion owned by a Rothschild, a personal favor to Lord Brownlow.  Because Wallis Simpson was still technically married, the Duke and Wallis would have to remain separated until the Simpson divorce was final. Chateau de la Croe, Cap D'Antibes, RivieraWith no diplomatic or professional responsibilities, the Windsors than turned to figuring out exactly where they wanted to live, eventually settling upon the the Chateau de la Croe, a large mansion sized estate on the Cap D’Antibes.  Initially, this was where Wallis had wanted to get married, in May of 1938, they leased the property.  Shortly thereafter they began the process of ingratiating themselves with whatever local members of French and American members of high society would accept their dinner invitations, the Duchess spending most of her time planning these dinner events.  For a year and a half, life revolved around furnishing their new home and their socializing, events that always began with a formal introduction by servants of Wallis Simpson as Her Royal Highness.  If the Duke and Duchess were living the lives of the idle rich this was essentially on someone else’s dime. The Duke and Duchess, 1963As the sixties dawned, shunned by the British aristocracy, no longer of much interest to anyone in the US other than facilitators of best dressed lists, on the eve of a generation more interested in personalities like the Beatles, the Windsors began to fade from public relevance.  Other than the occasional White House invitation, they became politically invisible. The Duke of Windsor on the links
As the sixties ticked by the Windsors devolved from world famous celebrity status to an existence seemingly out of a Dickens novel.  Despite their immense wealth, they openly paid their servants twenty per cent less than the going rate stating that it was a privilege to work for them.  This despite homes crammed with every possibly amenity for both the Duke and Duchess and their guests, toilet tissue literally unrolled and folded into squares.  The Duke and Duchess at the Nixon White House
By then the Duke’s health was deteriorating rapidly.  One eye was mostly closed due to complications from cataracts, circulatory issues were now pronounced after a lifetime of heavy smoking which also eventually caused throat cancer, arthritis forcing him to limp along with a cane and preventing him from golf or even working in the garden.  By May of 1972, the end was clearly approaching, signaled by the first and only visit to the Duke’s Paris home by Queen Elizabeth II, her husband Prince Phillip and accompanied by Prince Charles.  It lasted a perfunctory thirty minutes.  To one of the last of the many American socialites who spent time with the Windsors in their last years he reflected, “The duchess gave me everything that I lacked from my family.  She gave me comfort and love and kindness.” The Duke of Windsor's grave, FrogmoreThe Duke of Windsor’s body was flown to Great Britain and dignified with the usual ceremonies, including lying publicly in state at St. George’s Chapel, on the grounds of Windsor Castle the traditional burial place for British Kings and Queens since Henry VIII.  The Duchess of Windsor was flown to these ceremonies separately where she interacted with the rest of the Royal family who treated her with chilly dignity.  Although as a former King of England the Duke of Windsor was entitled to burial at St. George’s, he was instead interred by previous agreement at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore Estate.  This cemetery was established to handle the overflow from the Royal Vault at St. George’s as space there became restricted for actual monarchs and those in direct succession.  Frogmore Estate is owned by the British Royal family and is only open to the public six days out of the year.  In addition, the royal burial ground which contains the Duke of Windsor’s gravestone is restricted from public access by a high iron fence, for the former Edward VIII a kind of British Royal Siberia.  The duchess of Windsor's grave, FrogmoreThe Duchess of Windsor’s modest April 29, 1986 funeral ceremony at St. George’s Chapel was well attended by members of the royal family.  However, her coffin had no flag or standard and its plaque omitted the HRH title before her name inscribed as Wallis, Duchess of Windsor-1896-1986.  The hearse containing her coffin proceeded along private roads to exclude any public acknowledgement.  Only fifteen individuals were present at her graveside ceremony, including the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, but the Queen Mother on the advice of Queen Elizabeth did not attend.  The Duchess of Windsor was buried side by side with her husband at Frogmore, the only commoner in the cemetery, her headstone also omitted the HRH title, the Duke and Duchess of Windsors’ social, political and geographic exile now eternally complete.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2109Mon, 10 Jul 2023 02:23:07 +0000Philip D. GibbonsLong before Harry and Meghan, a much more serious crisis and scandal enveloped the British monarchy and the House of Windsor, the abdication of Edward VIII The Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson, 1935 By mid-1934, even British high society...The Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson, 1935
By mid-1934, even British high society insiders were aghast at what, “the little man,” as David was scornfully known as behind his back, had actually taken up with.  When the Royal family deliberately deleted the Simpsons from the Royal guest list for the wedding of David’s brother, George, in November of 1934, the Prince of Wales personally interceded to get them reinvited.  Probably thinking that a good offense is the best defense, Wallis showed up in expensive jewelry and a tiara that certainly her husband could not afford and could have only been gifted by David.  Outraged, King George V then personally barred the couple from any subsequent, official Royal events but the relationship blatantly continued, with Wallis receiving cash and gifts, usually gems that today would be on the order of tens of millions of dollars.   Edward's official letter of abdicationFinally, Edward called her back and personally told her that the abdication was inevitable.  Wallis Simpson’s unromantic and blunt response, recorded by French secret police, was predictable.  “You goddamned fool!”  Inexplicably, Edward decided to give up his throne, allegedly over Wallis Simpson, without even involving her in the decision or even formally asking her to marry him during this time period or even subsequently.  On December 11, he proceeded with his famous speech, explaining his decision to abdicate, allegedly over his relationship with Wallis Simpson.  Even his subsequent departure from Britain was haphazard, Edward now officially the Duke of Windsor, winding up at an Austrian mansion owned by a Rothschild, a personal favor to Lord Brownlow.  Because Wallis Simpson was still technically married, the Duke and Wallis would have to remain separated until the Simpson divorce was final. Chateau de la Croe, Cap D'Antibes, RivieraWith no diplomatic or professional responsibilities, the Windsors than turned to figuring out exactly where they wanted to live, eventually settling upon the the Chateau de la Croe, a large mansion sized estate on the Cap D’Antibes.  Initially, this was where Wallis had wanted to get married, in May of 1938, they leased the property.  Shortly thereafter they began the process of ingratiating themselves with whatever local members of French and American members of high society would accept their dinner invitations, the Duchess spending most of her time planning these dinner events.  For a year and a half, life revolved around furnishing their new home and their socializing, events that always began with a formal introduction by servants of Wallis Simpson as Her Royal Highness.  If the Duke and Duchess were living the lives of the idle rich this was essentially on someone else’s dime. The Duke and Duchess, 1963As the sixties dawned, shunned by the British aristocracy, no longer of much interest to anyone in the US other than facilitators of best dressed lists, on the eve of a generation more interested in personalities like the Beatles, the Windsors began to fade from public relevance.  Other than the occasional White House invitation, they became politically invisible. 2716falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ray-kroc-mcdonald-s-mastermind-part-one--69653587Ray Kroc, in the twenties
Ray Kroc first interacted with Prince Castle as the Chicago based account manager for Lily-Tulip and sensing the enormous potential of the Multimixer device, he secured the national distribution rights for the machine in 1939.  For two years he rapidly increased sales, his customers mostly the corner drug stores and soda fountains that were a mainstay of urban America. Ray Kroc, chairman, McDonald's Corporation
Just as Kroc began to build national momentum for his sales distribution company, America entered World War II, a development that cut off two staples necessary for his continued growth.  Civilian access to copper, a critical element of his Multimixer motors was halted, any supplies of this metal earmarked for military consumption.  Sugar was also heavily rationed so that products like ice cream were virtually unavailable during wartime.  Rather than shutting down, Kroc improvised, determined to tough it out until the end of the war.  He found two additive products, consisting of mostly corn syrup and a chemical stabilizer that when mixed with chilled milk resulted in something that mimicked ice cream.  Richard McDonald
The McDonalds were not even the first to market specialty hamburgers in southern California.  In 1937, a Glendale, California owner of a drive-in restaurant , Robert Wian, invented a double decker hamburger sandwich slathered with various condiments and toppings that was so successful, he called it the Big Boy, and prompted a restaurant name change to Bob’s Big Boy, eventually another successful nationwide hamburger chain.  The McDonalds brothers would impact the rapidly evolving American fast food landscape by implementing some concepts that were, at the time, revolutionary.  Although quite successful, their drive-in restaurant incorporated the car-hop delivery system, in which individuals, usually teenaged females offered curb or parking lot service on a tray, which was popular with teenagers but turned their location into a hangout where the parking lot was filled with leather jacketed youngsters who took up space for hours and also alienated older families with children who did not like such an atmosphere. The Multimixer
It was in early 1954 that Kroc decided that at the very least, to try and buck up his sales numbers, he wanted to learn more about a restaurant run by two brothers in San Bernadino, California who had ordered ten Multimixers for their small Southern California location.  He even asked his West coast rep how such a small restaurant could need enough machines to prepare as many as sixty shakes at a time and then decided he would go see for himself.  If nothing else, this restaurant was generating orders from other hamburger joints that were trying to copy this business, called McDonalds, to duplicate their wild success.   The Original McDonald's, San Bernadino. CA
As the carhop-hangout atmosphere dissipated, working class families began to descend on the restaurant in greater numbers, eating at a restaurant now a viable economic alternative.  Children also enjoyed going up to the window, ordering and then bringing back the food to their car, all under the watchful eyes of their parents, a lesson in independence.  The building itself was different with an octagonal shape and glassed in design from the roof to the countertop, the always immaculate kitchen, with its stainless steel, grills and efficient employees a revelation to most customers who had never set eyes on a restaurant’s interior.  On the roof was a huge neon sign with the MacDonald’s name, and their mascot Speedy, the symbol for what they dubbed the, “Speedy Delivery System.”  Within a year, the restaurant regained the same volume it had before its realignment.  It further streamlined its production line process with customized tools, and extremely specific guidelines.  And, perhaps to maintain a focused, completely businesslike approach, especially among younger employees, only males were hired.  McDonalds mushroomed into a high volume, unique operation with eventually spectacular results. Oldest still operating McDonald's built in 1953
Ray Kroc was also not the first individual to discuss potentially franchising the McDonald’s name and concept.  In fact, by the time Kroc approached them the brothers had actually sold fifteen franchises. Well, sort of.  What they sold was a manual describing the Speedy Delivery Service, some building plans, one week of training with a store manager and the McDonald’s name for a fee of $1,000.  They specifically did not provide any financial or business connection on any ongoing basis, the franchisee strictly on their own.  Even this process was something that Mac and Dick did not pursue aggressively.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2097Fri, 09 Jun 2023 19:07:03 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn July of 1954, an obscure milk shake mixer salesman walked into a fast food restaurant in San Bernardino, CA. The restaurant was operated by two brothers named McDonald, the result of this interaction profoundly changed American culture, business...Ray Kroc, in the twenties
Ray Kroc first interacted with Prince Castle as the Chicago based account manager for Lily-Tulip and sensing the enormous potential of the Multimixer device, he secured the national distribution rights for the machine in 1939.  For two years he rapidly increased sales, his customers mostly the corner drug stores and soda fountains that were a mainstay of urban America. Ray Kroc, chairman, McDonald's Corporation
Just as Kroc began to build national momentum for his sales distribution company, America entered World War II, a development that cut off two staples necessary for his continued growth.  Civilian access to copper, a critical element of his Multimixer motors was halted, any supplies of this metal earmarked for military consumption.  Sugar was also heavily rationed so that products like ice cream were virtually unavailable during wartime.  Rather than shutting down, Kroc improvised, determined to tough it out until the end of the war.  He found two additive products, consisting of mostly corn syrup and a chemical stabilizer that when mixed with chilled milk resulted in something that mimicked ice cream.  Richard McDonald
The McDonalds were not even the first to market specialty hamburgers in southern California.  In 1937, a Glendale, California owner of a drive-in restaurant , Robert Wian, invented a double decker hamburger sandwich slathered with various condiments and toppings that was so successful, he called it the Big Boy, and prompted a restaurant name change to Bob’s Big Boy, eventually another successful nationwide hamburger chain.  The McDonalds brothers would impact the rapidly evolving American fast food landscape by implementing some concepts that were, at the time, revolutionary.  Although quite successful, their drive-in restaurant incorporated the car-hop delivery system, in which individuals, usually teenaged females offered curb or parking lot service on a tray, which was popular with teenagers but turned their location into a hangout where the parking lot was filled with leather jacketed youngsters who took up space for hours and also alienated older families with children who did not like such an atmosphere. The Multimixer
It was in early 1954 that Kroc decided that at the very least, to try and buck up his sales numbers, he wanted to learn more about a restaurant run by two brothers in San Bernadino, California who had ordered ten Multimixers for their small Southern California location.  He even asked his West coast rep how such a small restaurant could need enough machines to prepare as many as sixty shakes at a time and then decided he would go see for himself.  If nothing else, this restaurant was generating orders from other hamburger joints that were trying to copy this business, called McDonalds, to duplicate their wild success.   The Original McDonald's, San Bernadino. CA
As the carhop-hangout atmosphere dissipated, working class families began to...]]>2624falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ray-kroc-mcdonald-s-mastermind-part-two--69653594Joan Kroc
Despite four decades and many years of dealing with a virtual absentee husband and serious anxiety over their household debt, Eleanor Kroc was still hanging in on the marriage.  That is until, in 1961, when Kroc said he wanted a divorce.  Ethel settled for the house, the Lincoln automobile and 30,000 dollars a year in alimony.  Part of Kroc’s decision to divorce stemmed from a relationship that began when he met a potential licensee at an upscale restaurant.  The keyboard player and singer at this restaurant was a stunning blonde named Joan Smith.  Kroc was so smitten that he could barely focus on the meeting, with Bob Zien, who owned this restaurant, the Criterion.  Zien hired Joan Smith’s husband Rawley Smith to manage his first McDonalds and entered into a partnership with Smith when Zien purchased a second franchise.  Because the Smith’s were then part of the McDonalds corporate family, they frequently interacted with Ray Kroc, who eventually verbalized his romantic feelings to Joan directly.  They agreed to leave their spouses, Kroc and Joan relocating to Woodland Hills, CA in late 1961.  They needed to cohabitate for six weeks to be able to get a quickie Nevada divorce but five weeks into the arrangement, Joan balked.  Her daughter disliked Kroc immediately and her mother was appalled.  Kroc had already sold his ownership of his Prince Castle distribution company to senior executives for 150,000 dollars, essentially a loan, and was committed to relocating to the West Coast, anyway, to personally spearhead McDonald’s West Coast expansion.            Joan eventually had second thoughts about breaking off the engagement, but by then Kroc had moved on.  Fred Turner, Ray Kroc's protege and succesor
Kroc’s McDonald’s operation was mushrooming in size and he realized both his own personal limitations and that he needed to assemble a corporate structure to manage such a fast growing entity.  He already identified Fred Turner as an individual he wanted to include in his inner management circle.  Ray Kroc, with Padres logo on shirt
Once he delegated the operation of McDonalds to Fred Turner, Ray Kroc became as much of a media personality and company spokesman as opposed to a serious hands on administrator, something he never really enjoyed anyway.  He no longer had to worry much about business in any case.  Padre's home during Kroc's ownership, The Jack Murphy Stadium
In 1973, a golden opportunity presented itself to Kroc that for him was the perfect outlet.  Based on his mid-western middle class Chicago roots, Kroc loved baseball and the Chicago Cubs and once his net worth became considerable, he made several inquiries into actually buying the team.  The long time owners, the Wrigley family were not interested in selling but in San Diego, the owner of baseball’s Padres, C. Arnholt Smith was battling his own bank’s failure, IRS demands for back taxes and fraud and embezzlement allegations.  He quickly sold off the Padres to a group intent on moving the team to Washington, DC but when the city of San Diego sued to block the deal, Smith couldn’t afford to wait.  Ray Kroc emerged as a civic hero quickly ponying up 12 million dollars for the team.   Swimming meet, Kroc Center, San Diego, CA
After many years of very visible philanthropy, Joan Kroc began to step out of the limelight finding that with each gift or charity event, she was besieged by countless requests and pleas from thousands of determined individuals and organizations.  She never stopped giving money away, she just became much more spontaneous and anonymous, not wishing to spend her time fending off the public and frequently inspired by some news report of a particularly dreadful event.  She also spent much of the late nineties working with the San Diego chapter of the Salvation Army to create a community center, a kind of athletic and fitness facility, library auditorium, outdoor swimming pool and even an ice rink all rolled into one.  In 2002, 87 million dollars later, this 12 acre, 132,000 square foot facility became a reality, the Salvation Army Kroc Center.        ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2089Fri, 09 Jun 2023 18:52:07 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn July of 1954, an obscure milk shake mixer salesman walked into a fast food restaurant in San Bernardino, CA. The restaurant was operated by two brothers named McDonald, the result of this interaction profoundly changed American culture, business...Joan Kroc
Despite four decades and many years of dealing with a virtual absentee husband and serious anxiety over their household debt, Eleanor Kroc was still hanging in on the marriage.  That is until, in 1961, when Kroc said he wanted a divorce.  Ethel settled for the house, the Lincoln automobile and 30,000 dollars a year in alimony.  Part of Kroc’s decision to divorce stemmed from a relationship that began when he met a potential licensee at an upscale restaurant.  The keyboard player and singer at this restaurant was a stunning blonde named Joan Smith.  Kroc was so smitten that he could barely focus on the meeting, with Bob Zien, who owned this restaurant, the Criterion.  Zien hired Joan Smith’s husband Rawley Smith to manage his first McDonalds and entered into a partnership with Smith when Zien purchased a second franchise.  Because the Smith’s were then part of the McDonalds corporate family, they frequently interacted with Ray Kroc, who eventually verbalized his romantic feelings to Joan directly.  They agreed to leave their spouses, Kroc and Joan relocating to Woodland Hills, CA in late 1961.  They needed to cohabitate for six weeks to be able to get a quickie Nevada divorce but five weeks into the arrangement, Joan balked.  Her daughter disliked Kroc immediately and her mother was appalled.  Kroc had already sold his ownership of his Prince Castle distribution company to senior executives for 150,000 dollars, essentially a loan, and was committed to relocating to the West Coast, anyway, to personally spearhead McDonald’s West Coast expansion.            Joan eventually had second thoughts about breaking off the engagement, but by then Kroc had moved on.  Fred Turner, Ray Kroc's protege and succesor
Kroc’s McDonald’s operation was mushrooming in size and he realized both his own personal limitations and that he needed to assemble a corporate structure to manage such a fast growing entity.  He already identified Fred Turner as an individual he wanted to include in his inner management circle.  Ray Kroc, with Padres logo on shirt
Once he delegated the operation of McDonalds to Fred Turner, Ray Kroc became as much of a media personality and company spokesman as opposed to a serious hands on administrator, something he never really enjoyed anyway.  He no longer had to worry much about business in any case.  Padre's home during Kroc's ownership, The Jack Murphy Stadium
In 1973, a golden opportunity presented itself to Kroc that for him was the perfect outlet.  Based on his mid-western middle class Chicago roots, Kroc loved baseball and the Chicago Cubs and once his net worth became considerable, he made several inquiries into actually buying the team.  The long time owners, the Wrigley family were not interested in selling but in San Diego, the owner of baseball’s Padres, C. Arnholt Smith was battling his own bank’s failure, IRS demands for back taxes and fraud and embezzlement allegations.  He quickly sold off the Padres to a group intent on moving the team to Washington, DC but when the city of San Diego sued to block the deal, Smith couldn’t afford...]]>1957falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/marie-antoinette-deadly-splendor-part-one--69653580Marie Antoinette, as a young girl
In Europe, with most political powers ruled by monarchies, the best method of insuring a stable alliance with another ruling dynasty was through marriage.  Maria Theresa aggressively forged alliances with the French Bourbons dynasty through marriages of her daughters Maria Amalia and Maria Karolina to the rulers of the Italian duchies of Parma and Naples.  But her most ambitious union was reserved for her youngest daughter, Maria Antonia. Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria and Marie Antoinette's mother
Maria Theresa gave birth to sixteen children, unusually thirteen survived into at least early childhood, including the second youngest, Maria Antonia.  As the house of Hapsburg was decidedly Roman Catholic all ten of the Empress’ daughters had the first name of Maria, an acknowledgement of the Virgin Mary.  Maria Theresa was a workaholic who spent most of her days focused on the affairs of state, but she closely supervised the tutors and nannies who were responsible for her children’s upbringing and education.  Her strong work ethic and stubborn determination were fortunate personality traits.  Only months after her ascension, many of the European monarchs who had formally agreed with her father to recognize her as his heir renounced this agreement, perhaps sensing weakness.  Frederick the Great’s 1740 invasion of the Austrian province of Silesia set off an eight-year war that eventually involved all of the great powers of Europe.  It was not until 1748 that diplomacy resolved this conflict, and firmly established Maria Theresa as de facto Holy Roman Empress and Archduchess of Austria, but Prussia and Frederick remained hostile and within eight years another war broke out.  The Seven Years War strengthened Austria’s profile in Europe but the immense cost of this conflict convinced the Empress that diplomacy was a much more reasonable way to maintain political power and preserve her domain.    Louis XV
In Europe, with most political powers ruled by monarchies, the best method of insuring a stable alliance with another ruling dynasty was through marriage.  Maria Theresa aggressively forged alliances with the French Bourbons dynasty through marriages of her daughters Maria Amalia and Maria Karolina to the rulers of the Italian duchies of Parma and Naples.  But her most ambitious union was reserved for her youngest daughter, Maria Antonia.  Approximately the same age as the heir to the French crown, the grandson of France’s King Louis XV seemed an obvious match and serious negotiations began between the two courts to make this wedding happen.  A special tutor, the Abbe Jacques de Vermond was brought to Vienna’s Hofburg palace from France to improve the teenager’s language skills and overall social polish, underlining the serious nature of the discussion.  A French dentist even surgically and painfully straightened her teeth.  But this was only the beginning of a process demanded by Louis XV, that focused obsessively on the physical appearance of France’s potential queen.  Louis’ womanizing exceeded that of even his royal contemporaries, the famous mistresses Madame Du Pompadour and Madame Du Barry among the dozens of women achieving notoriety during his fifty-nine-year reign.  The Hofburg Palace
In April of 1770, Maria Theresa packed off her daughter as well as the Abbe de Vermond, by then subtly cultivated as the Empress’ eventual eyes and ears once the marriage took place and Maria Antonia began a journey that proved emotionally overwhelming.  This trip started on April 21, 1770, in the main courtyard of Vienna’s Hofburg, the sprawling palace of Austrian emperors and in this case the Empress, Maria Therese.  The empress’ daughter was placed in a magnificent gilded carriage, saluted by a crowd of patrician well-wishers and Swiss Guard ceremonial rifle volleys, and then sent off while all of the church bells of the city pealed in a congratulatory farewell. Versailles
Although Marie’s Austrian royal family lived in the sprawling Hofburg complex and also constructed the impressive Schonbrunn Palace on the outskirts of Vienna, probably nothing prepared her for the grandiosity of the seat of the French monarchy.  Built by Louis XIV as not only a statement of his national superiority and absolute power, the king also wished to contain all of the members of his court under one roof.  Hundreds of apartments were provided for those members of French society who were prominent enough to merit such status.  But Louis’ ostensible generosity concealed an underlying motive, that of keeping the nobility under his literal eye and stripping them of any political power or even ability to unite against his absolute rule.  Thousands of inhabitants lived within the palace, which could hold as many as ten thousand residents but typically housed between two and four thousand occupants.  The Petit Trianon
Louis XVI also attempted to remove any legacy of the former mistress, the Madame de Pompadour, by officially presenting his wife the Petit Trianon, a small chateau on the grounds of Versailles, formerly built and occupied by De Pompadour.  Initially, the ascension of the new king and his beautiful wife was greeted by the public with happiness and the young couple was popular, the staggering deficits and disastrous foreign policy of Louis XV rendering him a bad memory.  It was hoped that a new reign would also bring new attitudes and a new direction.  Marie Antoinette, Queen of France
Marginalized politically, with her husband’s chief advisors hostile to Austria, Marie Antoinette immersed herself in a pastime meant to underline her status as the court’s most important female.  She began the practice of weekly masked, costumed balls, centered around various themes, her costumes sparing no expense and distinguishing her from her guests with spectacular clothing.  Her husband, perhaps guilty at his ongoing sexual disinterest allowed her to spend fantastic amounts on her wardrobe and the parties themselves which frequently lasted until dawn.  These exercises were undertaken to at least publicly maintain the façade that Marie Antoinette enjoyed great influence with the king and she hoped over time to regain the same political prestige as that of Louis XV’s mistresses.  Louis XVI
Mortality suddenly intervened in the spring of 1774 to permanently change the relatively vapid routine of the heir and his wife.  On April 27, Louis XV went hunting with his entourage but suddenly felt too sick to even leave his carriage.  By May 3 even he acknowledged that the red lesions on his body were indicative of smallpox.  The king lasted another week, many accounts stating that in his final hours he uttered the phrase “Apres moi, le deluge,” After me, the deluge, a supposed acknowledgement that the financial excesses and utter governmental mismanagement of France could only result in catastrophe.  Like many storied quotations, this one most likely never occurred but it should have and it was a fitting admonition for especially the now Louis the XVI and Marie Antoinette.  Princess de Lamballe
On the 19th of August, the Commune removed all eight non-royal members of the entourage.  Most were eventually released unharmed, one, Marie, Princess de Lamballe, a close friend and confidante of Marie Antoinette, who had faithfully remained with the Queen during her recent ordeals was dragged before an impromptu September 3rd Commune tribunal at her new prison location.  These tribunals, a violent response meant to liquidate any prisoners formerly associated with the monarchy, were convened as a result of the Austro-Prussian offensive that initially made great progress in its intent to overturn the Revolution.   Asked to swear loyalty to the new government and to denounce the King and Queen, the Princess de Lamballe affirmed the former but refused the latter, stating that whether she died then or shortly thereafter was not worth her honor and dignity.  Released into the courtyard she was beaten and stabbed to death by a mob assembled to execute those condemned by the tribunal with the words, Let them go,” the victim unaware that this was actually a death sentence.  The Princess’ body was beheaded, disemboweled and her remains paraded through the city on pikes, this procession reaching the Temple with the intent to display this grisly artifact to the King and Queen.  Although she did not see this]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2043Thu, 18 May 2023 05:37:18 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1770, the French people greeted Austrian Marie Antoinette as the beautiful and future French queen. Twenty-three years later they guillotined her as the most reviled woman in France. Marie Antoinette, as a young girl In Europe, with most...Marie Antoinette, as a young girl
In Europe, with most political powers ruled by monarchies, the best method of insuring a stable alliance with another ruling dynasty was through marriage.  Maria Theresa aggressively forged alliances with the French Bourbons dynasty through marriages of her daughters Maria Amalia and Maria Karolina to the rulers of the Italian duchies of Parma and Naples.  But her most ambitious union was reserved for her youngest daughter, Maria Antonia. Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria and Marie Antoinette's mother
Maria Theresa gave birth to sixteen children, unusually thirteen survived into at least early childhood, including the second youngest, Maria Antonia.  As the house of Hapsburg was decidedly Roman Catholic all ten of the Empress’ daughters had the first name of Maria, an acknowledgement of the Virgin Mary.  Maria Theresa was a workaholic who spent most of her days focused on the affairs of state, but she closely supervised the tutors and nannies who were responsible for her children’s upbringing and education.  Her strong work ethic and stubborn determination were fortunate personality traits.  Only months after her ascension, many of the European monarchs who had formally agreed with her father to recognize her as his heir renounced this agreement, perhaps sensing weakness.  Frederick the Great’s 1740 invasion of the Austrian province of Silesia set off an eight-year war that eventually involved all of the great powers of Europe.  It was not until 1748 that diplomacy resolved this conflict, and firmly established Maria Theresa as de facto Holy Roman Empress and Archduchess of Austria, but Prussia and Frederick remained hostile and within eight years another war broke out.  The Seven Years War strengthened Austria’s profile in Europe but the immense cost of this conflict convinced the Empress that diplomacy was a much more reasonable way to maintain political power and preserve her domain.    Louis XV
In Europe, with most political powers ruled by monarchies, the best method of insuring a stable alliance with another ruling dynasty was through marriage.  Maria Theresa aggressively forged alliances with the French Bourbons dynasty through marriages of her daughters Maria Amalia and Maria Karolina to the rulers of the Italian duchies of Parma and Naples.  But her most ambitious union was reserved for her youngest daughter, Maria Antonia.  Approximately the same age as the heir to the French crown, the grandson of France’s King Louis XV seemed an obvious match and serious negotiations began between the two courts to make this wedding happen.  A special tutor, the Abbe Jacques de Vermond was brought to Vienna’s Hofburg palace from France to improve the teenager’s language skills and overall social polish, underlining the serious nature of the discussion.  A French dentist even surgically and painfully straightened her teeth.  But this was only the beginning of a process demanded by Louis XV, that focused obsessively on the physical appearance of France’s potential queen.  Louis’ womanizing exceeded that of even his royal contemporaries, the famous mistresses Madame Du Pompadour and Madame Du Barry among the dozens of women achieving notoriety during his fifty-nine-year reign.  2843falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/marie-antoinette-deadly-splendor-part-two--69653547The Comtesse de la Motte
The affair of the Diamond Necklace had its origin in a piece of jewelry that was commissioned by Louis XV in 1772 and meant as a gift for his mistress, the Madame Du Barry.  He requested that the royal jewelers Charles Boehmer and Paul Bassenge create a diamond necklace that exceeded anything previously produced.  On spec, the two men took great pains to assemble a creation that incorporated a great number of exquisite diamonds in a staggeringly large and ornate necklace.  Called, “The Slave’s Collar,” and consisting of over 2800 carats of diamonds, the worth of this necklace today has been estimated to be as high as one hundred million dollars.  Unfortunately, the King died before this accoutrement could be finalized, the jewelers now stuck with a very expensive piece of jewelry and an extremely small pool of potential buyers, the most obvious Louis XVI.  But twice, in 1778 and again in 1781, for one reason or another both the King and Marie Antoinette declined to purchase the necklace.  Unsold, this became the basis of an elaborate confidence scheme hatched by a socially and financially ambitious woman who called herself the Comtesse Jeanne de la Motte. The Cardinal de Rohan
By late 1784, Jeanne had ingratiated herself as the mistress of the Cardinal de Rohan, not only a member of the powerful de Rohan noble family but a former diplomat deployed in Vienna to the court of Maria Theresa.  Unfortunately, his dissolute lifestyle and anti-Austrian bias earned him the antagonism of the Empress, who in turn delivered her opinion of the Cardinal to Marie Antoinette.  Upon Louis XVI assuming the throne, De Rohan, most likely upon the urging of the Queen, was hastily recalled.  Understanding that the Cardinal was desperate to improve his status within the French court, Jeanne de La Motte convinced De Rohan that she was well connected to especially Marie Antoinette.  In fact, through a forger, fellow huckster and also feigned aristocrat Armand Retaux de Villette, Jeanne was able to access the French Court.  She further convinced de Rohan that the Queen had officially acknowledged her and that Marie Antoinette held her in high esteem.  De Rohan then began what he thought was a correspondence with the Queen, receiving letters in return that were actually forged by Retaux de Villette.  Blinded by his ambition, De Rohan did not hesitate when Jeanne began asking for loans and even produced signed letters which requested that he help the Queen secretly acquire the, “Slave’s Collar,” to avoid public and even Louis XVI’s awareness of such an exorbitant purchase, an acquisition that might inflame hostility over royal expenditures even further.  To add further credibility to the scheme, De La Motte and Retaux de Villette staged a nocturnal, secret liaison between the Cardinal and a woman he thought was Marie Antoinette.  In fact, the two confederates hired a prostitute who resembled the queen, Nicole d’Oliva, the three arranging to meet the Cardinal in a remote corner of the gardens of Versailles.  In the darkness, d’Oliva, dressed fashionably, approached the Cardinal, handed him a rose and breathlessly intoned, “You know what this means, the past will be forgotten” before quickly and stealthily retreating.    A zirconium replica of the Slave's Collar
Convinced that he was on the verge of a great political restoration and even deluded enough to believe that Marie Antoinette was physically attracted to him, De Rohan now reached out to the jewelers, who were also blinded by their zeal to unload the necklace.  With, unbeknownst to him, forged letters in hand from the purported Marie Antoinette, requesting that the Cardinal act as her representative, a deal was negotiated whereby the necklace would be paid for in installments.  Of course, the transaction was to occur amidst the utmost secrecy, a condition De La Motte could not emphasize enough.  The necklace was secured by the Bishop, he then was instructed to turn it over to an individual described as a valet of the Queen, in fact Nicholas de la Motte, who hastily fled to London.  By the time the alleged count arrived in England, the diamonds had been pried out of their settings, many damaged during the process, but still able to be fenced.  Louis XVII
Marie Antoinette’s son and heir, the dauphin Louis Charles, already considered by royalist emigres as the de facto Louis XVII, was treated just as brutally.  After his mother’s execution, he was placed in a solitary, damp cell, fed through the bars, with little interaction with his jailers.  He endured such conditions for sixth months, until a change in government allowed for the improvement of his confinement.  By then he had contracted tuberculosis, the ailment which killed him on June 8, 1795, aged ten years old.  Louis XVIII
Louis XVI’s brother, the Comte de Provence was crowned Louis XVIII after Napoleon’s exile to Elba.  His reign interrupted by the one hundred days and Waterloo, he ruled until 1824. Charles X
Louis XVI’s youngest brother as Charles X, a ruler so odious and reactionary that he prompted a second popular revolution, an event that caused his abdication.  Marie, in mourning garb at the Temple
Back at the Temple, Marie Antoinette was not formally told of her husband’s death but the noise and tumult from the street down below told her and her family everything they needed to know.  From that day on, she received and wore black mourning clothes and descended into a hopeless depression. Marie Antoinette in the Conciergerie
On July 3rd, Marie’s status took an ominous turn when she was informed by her jailers that she was to be separated from her son.  Additional Austrian victories now placed Paris in even greater danger.  As a result, at two o’clock in the morning on August 2, Marie Antoinette was transferred to the Conciergerie, a much more secure and foreboding courthouse and prison.   There was no attempt to spruce up her new environment or disguise its intent, the damp brick, bed, rudimentary chair and bucket toilet of a prison cell.  A hapless attempt by royal sympathizers within the prison known as the Carnation plot only served to tighten the security around Marie Antoinette.  From then on armed sentries remained in her cell, subdivided with a simple wooden screen which did little to protect Marie’s modesty.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2034Thu, 18 May 2023 05:16:09 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1770, the French people greeted Austrian Marie Antoinette as the beautiful and future French queen. Twenty-three years later they guillotined her as the most reviled woman in France. The Comtesse de la Motte The affair of the Diamond Necklace...The Comtesse de la Motte
The affair of the Diamond Necklace had its origin in a piece of jewelry that was commissioned by Louis XV in 1772 and meant as a gift for his mistress, the Madame Du Barry.  He requested that the royal jewelers Charles Boehmer and Paul Bassenge create a diamond necklace that exceeded anything previously produced.  On spec, the two men took great pains to assemble a creation that incorporated a great number of exquisite diamonds in a staggeringly large and ornate necklace.  Called, “The Slave’s Collar,” and consisting of over 2800 carats of diamonds, the worth of this necklace today has been estimated to be as high as one hundred million dollars.  Unfortunately, the King died before this accoutrement could be finalized, the jewelers now stuck with a very expensive piece of jewelry and an extremely small pool of potential buyers, the most obvious Louis XVI.  But twice, in 1778 and again in 1781, for one reason or another both the King and Marie Antoinette declined to purchase the necklace.  Unsold, this became the basis of an elaborate confidence scheme hatched by a socially and financially ambitious woman who called herself the Comtesse Jeanne de la Motte. The Cardinal de Rohan
By late 1784, Jeanne had ingratiated herself as the mistress of the Cardinal de Rohan, not only a member of the powerful de Rohan noble family but a former diplomat deployed in Vienna to the court of Maria Theresa.  Unfortunately, his dissolute lifestyle and anti-Austrian bias earned him the antagonism of the Empress, who in turn delivered her opinion of the Cardinal to Marie Antoinette.  Upon Louis XVI assuming the throne, De Rohan, most likely upon the urging of the Queen, was hastily recalled.  Understanding that the Cardinal was desperate to improve his status within the French court, Jeanne de La Motte convinced De Rohan that she was well connected to especially Marie Antoinette.  In fact, through a forger, fellow huckster and also feigned aristocrat Armand Retaux de Villette, Jeanne was able to access the French Court.  She further convinced de Rohan that the Queen had officially acknowledged her and that Marie Antoinette held her in high esteem.  De Rohan then began what he thought was a correspondence with the Queen, receiving letters in return that were actually forged by Retaux de Villette.  Blinded by his ambition, De Rohan did not hesitate when Jeanne began asking for loans and even produced signed letters which requested that he help the Queen secretly acquire the, “Slave’s Collar,” to avoid public and even Louis XVI’s awareness of such an exorbitant purchase, an acquisition that might inflame hostility over royal expenditures even further.  To add further credibility to the scheme, De La Motte and Retaux de Villette staged a nocturnal, secret liaison between the Cardinal and a woman he thought was Marie Antoinette.  In fact, the two confederates hired a prostitute who resembled the queen, Nicole d’Oliva, the three arranging to meet the Cardinal in a remote corner of the gardens of Versailles.  In the darkness, d’Oliva, dressed fashionably, approached the Cardinal, handed him a rose and breathlessly intoned, “You know what this means, the past will be forgotten” before quickly and stealthily retreating.    A zirconium replica of the Slave's Collar
Convinced that...]]>2964falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/crockett-bowie-and-travis-defenders-of-the-alamo-part-one--69653586David Crockett
By 1817, after emerging from the military, David situated his family in Lawrence County, Tennessee as one of the area’s first inhabitants.  Making a living as a professional hunter, mostly of wild bears, Crockett also began to involve himself in local politics, serving as a county commissioner and eventually as a state appointed justice of the peace.  He also served several terms in the state legislature and was eventually elected to the US House of Representatives in 1826.  He was re-elected to a second term in 1828 but ran into trouble when he emphatically opposed Andrew Jackson’s plans to relocate native Americans, an especially unpopular stance in Jackson’s home state of Tennessee.  Defeated for re-election in 1830, he was returned to Congress one more time in 1833.  It was during this time period that Crockett co-wrote an autobiography entitled, “A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett of the State of Tennessee,” an attempt to take advantage of popularity generated by an 1831 play entitled, “The Lion of the West,” about a larger than life pioneer named Nimrod Wildfire, but obviously fashioned after Crockett.  It was during his publicity tour promoting this book’s publication that a quote attributed to Crockett discussing his immediate political future appeared in numerous newspapers, “I told the people of my district that I would serve them as faithfully as I had done; but if not, they might go to hell, and I would go to Texas.” Jim Bowie
Bowie became nationally famous after an incident that occurred on September 19, 1827 known as the Sandbar Fight. The conflict, essentially a violent, murderous brawl between two competing business and political entities competing over elected offices and business interests in Central Louisiana resulted after a duel that occurred on a sandbar situated on what was then neutral territory along the Mississippi River, near Natchez, Mississippi.  Initially two men, Samuel Wells and Dr Thomas H. Maddox, fought a formal duel that typically concluded with shots fired but no injuries.  While these two individuals seemed content to bury the hatchet, several other members of each contingent had a history of animosity and violent interaction.  A spontaneous gunfight broke out in which Jim Bowie was first wounded in the leg, sending him to his knees.  Bowie then got up and unsheathed the large hunting knife he always carried for protection and lunged after the individual who shot him, Robert Crain.  Bowie was knocked to the ground again when Crain hit him with the butt of his now empty pistol.  Norris Wright, an individual who had previously tried to shoot Bowie on another occasion, then fired an errant pistol shot and followed that up with a sword cane attempt to stab Bowie in the chest.  The thin blade apparently stuck in Bowie’s sternum, while he then mortally plunged his 9 by 1.5 inch knife into Wright’s mid-section, ripping upward.  Wright bled out quickly while other assailants continued to stab and shoot at Bowie, but he successfully fought off his attackers, suffering two bullet wounds and seven knife wounds, including the sword cane that was impaled in his chest.  In total, two men were killed, four injured, including Bowie who needed months to recuperate.News of this sensational episode spread initially through regional and then national newspapers, with the focus on Bowie, his outsized knife as well as aggrandizing tales of roping alligators on the bayou and similar exploits, transforming him into a frontiersman in the fashion of Daniel Boone.  Subsequently, business boomed in the production of Bowie styled knives and Bowie himself wore one, sheathed, for the rest of his life.  William Travis
Smith then turned to the individual designated as officially responsible for recruiting soldiers into the newly elected provisional government’s army, William B. Travis, and ordered him to reinforce the garrison at San Antonio.  Travis was previously supposed to round up as many as one hundred men into a cavalry force, which he would lead as a lieutenant colonel.  Of the three most famous individuals killed at the Battle of the Alamo, Jim Bowie, David Crockett and William Travis, Travis was by far the most obscure at the time of the incident.   Santa Anna
Fifteen years earlier, in 1821, a lengthy military insurgency was able to unofficially establish Mexico’s independence from Spain.  Although Spain sporadically attempted to reassert control over the country, all of these efforts ultimately failed.  However, the Mexican government and political situation remained both violent and unstable.  From this chaos emerged the general and warlord, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, a military figure who achieved national prominence for his role in defeating Spanish attempts to reclaim Mexico.  Santa Anna eventually consolidated political and military authority and in 1835, dissolved the Mexican constitution attempting to transform the Mexican government from a loosely autonomous group of Mexican states into an entity controlled by a federal government.   General Urrea
While Santa Anna casually headed east toward what he believed would be an eventually similar destruction of both the Texian government in San Felipe, Texas and any remnants of a Texian army, Fannin was ordered by Sam Houston to abandon Goliad and head east towards Victoria, Texas.  He was pursued by another army commanded by General Jose de Urrea, which originated in Matamoros and was proceeding directly toward Goliad.   A typical bowie style knife
By 1830, Bowie, hearing of land speculation opportunities in Texas, set out for the territory.  He formally introduced himself to such prominent locals as Stephen F. Austin and then, after taking an oath of allegiance to Mexico, began acquiring cheap land grants, ultimately setting in San Antonio de Bexar.  There he began romancing the nineteen year old daughter of Juan Martin Veramendi, the wealthiest businessman and politician in the region.  Bowie eventually married Ursula de Veramendi, went into business with his father in law and professed to be a wealthy and successful businessman in his own right, selling his holdings outside of Texas.  However, after his land sales in Arkansas were ruled fraudulent, he relied mostly on his relatives for both housing and living expenses.  Involving himself in the secessionist politics of the region, Bowie was a firm believer in creating a Texas independent from Mexico.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2020Wed, 12 Apr 2023 22:33:08 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAn enduring American legend, hear what actually happened at the Battle of the Alamo David Crockett By 1817, after emerging from the military, David situated his family in Lawrence County, Tennessee as one of the area’s first inhabitants.  Making...David Crockett
By 1817, after emerging from the military, David situated his family in Lawrence County, Tennessee as one of the area’s first inhabitants.  Making a living as a professional hunter, mostly of wild bears, Crockett also began to involve himself in local politics, serving as a county commissioner and eventually as a state appointed justice of the peace.  He also served several terms in the state legislature and was eventually elected to the US House of Representatives in 1826.  He was re-elected to a second term in 1828 but ran into trouble when he emphatically opposed Andrew Jackson’s plans to relocate native Americans, an especially unpopular stance in Jackson’s home state of Tennessee.  Defeated for re-election in 1830, he was returned to Congress one more time in 1833.  It was during this time period that Crockett co-wrote an autobiography entitled, “A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett of the State of Tennessee,” an attempt to take advantage of popularity generated by an 1831 play entitled, “The Lion of the West,” about a larger than life pioneer named Nimrod Wildfire, but obviously fashioned after Crockett.  It was during his publicity tour promoting this book’s publication that a quote attributed to Crockett discussing his immediate political future appeared in numerous newspapers, “I told the people of my district that I would serve them as faithfully as I had done; but if not, they might go to hell, and I would go to Texas.” Jim Bowie
Bowie became nationally famous after an incident that occurred on September 19, 1827 known as the Sandbar Fight. The conflict, essentially a violent, murderous brawl between two competing business and political entities competing over elected offices and business interests in Central Louisiana resulted after a duel that occurred on a sandbar situated on what was then neutral territory along the Mississippi River, near Natchez, Mississippi.  Initially two men, Samuel Wells and Dr Thomas H. Maddox, fought a formal duel that typically concluded with shots fired but no injuries.  While these two individuals seemed content to bury the hatchet, several other members of each contingent had a history of animosity and violent interaction.  A spontaneous gunfight broke out in which Jim Bowie was first wounded in the leg, sending him to his knees.  Bowie then got up and unsheathed the large hunting knife he always carried for protection and lunged after the individual who shot him, Robert Crain.  Bowie was knocked to the ground again when Crain hit him with the butt of his now empty pistol.  Norris Wright, an individual who had previously tried to shoot Bowie on another occasion, then fired an errant pistol shot and followed that up with a sword cane attempt to stab Bowie in the chest.  The thin blade apparently stuck in Bowie’s sternum, while he then mortally plunged his 9 by 1.5 inch knife into Wright’s mid-section, ripping upward.  Wright bled out quickly while other assailants continued to stab and shoot at Bowie, but he successfully fought off his attackers, suffering two bullet wounds and seven knife wounds, including the sword cane that was impaled in his chest.  In total, two men were killed, four injured, including Bowie who needed months to recuperate.News of this sensational episode spread initially through regional and then national newspapers, with the focus on Bowie, his outsized knife as well as aggrandizing tales of roping alligators on the bayou and similar exploits, transforming him into a frontiersman in the fashion of Daniel Boone.  Subsequently, business boomed in the...]]>2385falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/crockett-bowie-and-travis-defenders-of-the-alamo-part-two--69653610James Fannin
Fannin’s typically sluggish retreat left him out in the open and resulted in a March 19 battle near Coleto Creek only a few miles east of Goliad.  Fannin’s men successfully repulsed repeated Mexican attacks but suffered many wounded troops that they could neither treat or transport.  The following morning, with another Mexican attack imminent, Fannin surrendered with Urrea only promising that he would try to intercede with Santa Anna to spare any prisoners, although most of the Texians, who in a written agreement were officially categorized as prisoners of war, believed that they were to be pardoned.  Knife allegedly used by David Crockett at the Alamo
While even some Mexican accounts have David Crockett inflicting dozens of casualties, many with his bare hands and a rifle butt, several eyewitnesses claimed he was actually captured alive and subsequently executed with the half dozen defenders Santa Anna personally ordered killed only minutes after the battle’s conclusion.  Susannah Dickinson did say in several interviews that she saw Crockett’s mutilated body in the plaza, after the battle, his distinctive fur cap lying at his side. Sam Houston as a US Senator
Sam Houston emerged as the leading political figure in Texas, winning election over Stephen F. Austin as President of the Republic of Texas and ultimately Houston was elected to the US Senate.  While loyal to the state of Texas, he personally opposed secession from the Union and died in 1863 before the end of the Civil War.   San Jacinto Memorial column at the site of the battlefield
Charging out of wooded areas which concealed their initial advance, Houston’s troops, shouting Remember the Alamo and Remember Goliad inflicted a lopsided 18 minute victory, much of it spent massacring surprised and unarmed fleeing Mexican troops, over 600 killed and 700 taken prisoner.  Santa Anna escaped for the moment; he was caught the following day, hiding along the river bank dressed in a private’s uniform and slippers.  Only his value as the de facto ruler of the Mexico prevented his immediate execution.  The Alamo today
Today, most of the former Alamo complex has been swallowed up by downtown San Antonio.  The only remaining structures are the former mission chapel, familiar to most Americans and part of the Long Barrack, with two small courtyards in between.  However, the distinctive oval roof line over the front entrance of the chapel building was not added until 1849.  Initially, after the Texas revolution the military used the chapel as a warehouse, other parts of the complex were used by private interests for commercial purposes.  The chapel eventually reverted back to the Catholic Church who sold it to the state of Texas.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=2013Wed, 12 Apr 2023 22:22:42 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAn enduring American legend, hear what actually happened at the Battle of the Alamo. James Fannin Fannin’s typically sluggish retreat left him out in the open and resulted in a March 19 battle near Coleto Creek only a few miles east of...James Fannin
Fannin’s typically sluggish retreat left him out in the open and resulted in a March 19 battle near Coleto Creek only a few miles east of Goliad.  Fannin’s men successfully repulsed repeated Mexican attacks but suffered many wounded troops that they could neither treat or transport.  The following morning, with another Mexican attack imminent, Fannin surrendered with Urrea only promising that he would try to intercede with Santa Anna to spare any prisoners, although most of the Texians, who in a written agreement were officially categorized as prisoners of war, believed that they were to be pardoned.  Knife allegedly used by David Crockett at the Alamo
While even some Mexican accounts have David Crockett inflicting dozens of casualties, many with his bare hands and a rifle butt, several eyewitnesses claimed he was actually captured alive and subsequently executed with the half dozen defenders Santa Anna personally ordered killed only minutes after the battle’s conclusion.  Susannah Dickinson did say in several interviews that she saw Crockett’s mutilated body in the plaza, after the battle, his distinctive fur cap lying at his side. Sam Houston as a US Senator
Sam Houston emerged as the leading political figure in Texas, winning election over Stephen F. Austin as President of the Republic of Texas and ultimately Houston was elected to the US Senate.  While loyal to the state of Texas, he personally opposed secession from the Union and died in 1863 before the end of the Civil War.   San Jacinto Memorial column at the site of the battlefield
Charging out of wooded areas which concealed their initial advance, Houston’s troops, shouting Remember the Alamo and Remember Goliad inflicted a lopsided 18 minute victory, much of it spent massacring surprised and unarmed fleeing Mexican troops, over 600 killed and 700 taken prisoner.  Santa Anna escaped for the moment; he was caught the following day, hiding along the river bank dressed in a private’s uniform and slippers.  Only his value as the de facto ruler of the Mexico prevented his immediate execution.  The Alamo today
Today, most of the former Alamo complex has been swallowed up by downtown San Antonio.  The only remaining structures are the former mission chapel, familiar to most Americans and part of the Long Barrack, with two small courtyards in between.  However, the distinctive oval roof line over the front entrance of the chapel building was not added until 1849.  Initially, after the Texas revolution the military used the chapel as a warehouse, other parts of the complex were used by private interests for commercial purposes.  The chapel eventually reverted back to the Catholic Church who sold it to the state of Texas.  ]]>2079falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/elvis-presley-s-manager-colonel-tom-parker-part-one--69653604Elvis and the Colonel, on set. According to Colonel Tom Parker personally, he was born in early 1900, in Huntington, West Virginia and began working in touring carnivals at a very young age.  He served in the military, eventually developed and promoted his own carnival acts and graduated to first promoting and then managing country musicians until obtaining the exclusive management contract of Elvis Presley in 1954.  While he was always able to obscure his true beginnings, his singular accent was ascribed to his origins in rural Appalachia.  In fact, although slight, his accent was Dutch because Colonel Tom Parker was not born anywhere near West Virginia, he was not even born in the United States.  He was born Andreas Van Kuijk on June 26, 1909, in Breda, The Netherlands, the seventh of eleven children of Maria and Adam Van Kuijk. Elvis, Jailhouse Rock, 1968, NBC special Initially conceived as a Christmas special by Tom Parker, both Elvis and the shows creative team of Steve Binder and Bones Howe agreed that they wanted a more stripped down return to Elvis’ musical roots and were able to convince Parker to generally accept moving away from Elvis singing Christmas carols, most likely because that was something Presley wanted no part of.  Once they got that general agreement, Elvis made the creative decisions on his own with a great deal of input from Binder whose perspective Presley respected.  The resulting special, with a tanned, refreshed Elvis in an especially remarkable leather outfit, among other wardrobes, performing an extended medley of some of his most popular or distinctive hits was the highest rated television show of the year, the program also a critical hit. Graceland With Elvis on the road and her husband engaging in various romantic adventures as a result of his newfound notoriety, Gladys Presley, already a heavy drinker, began to consume alcohol on a daily basis and abuse sleeping pills.  Quite domineering in her relationship with Vernon, it is believed as she deteriorated physically, her husband, in Elvis’ absence began to be much more physically abusive.  Her son’s fame was also troubling and overwhelming, her fear that an hysterical crowd might eventually harm or even kill Elvis.  Depressed because her neighbors disliked her habit of raising chickens and feeding them on the front lawn of Graceland, Gladys never really adjusted to her family’s radical transformation, once telling her friend, “I wish we had stayed poor.” Elvis and Priscilla, shortly after the birth of his daughter. While in Germany, Presley also met Priscilla Beaulieu, a fourteen year old daughter of an Air Force officer stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany.  Because of her youth, her relationship with Presley was extremely restrained until 1962, although her ability to then visit Elvis and ultimately live at Graceland while Priscilla attended a local Catholic High school, was conditional upon an agreement that the couple eventually marry. Joe Esposito, circa 2010 Because some of the Memphis Mafia especially Joe Esposito, were conduits to the Colonel, he was fully aware of Preley’s restlessness and anger over his stalled career.  He also was mindful that at some point, Elvis’ public might completely tire of the formulaic nonsense that was now the mainstay of Elvis’ income stream.  He began discussions with NBC for a television special live performance that would be billed as Presley’s comeback as an entertainer. Lamar Fike, circa 2005 Another close associate of Presley, Lamar Fike, was in Portland, Maine, also to help get ready for the tour.  He was attempting to get some sleep after taking a redeye from Los Angeles when there was a loud knock on his door, a voice telling him intently that the Colonel needed to see him right away, despite Fike’s protestations.  Entering the Colonel’s hotel room, he noticed other employees avoiding his gaze as Parker hung up the phone.  In an unemotional tone of voice, the Colonel explained that Fike needed to go to Memphis and be with Vernon Presley, Elvis’ father and that Elvis was dead.  Like many members of the entourage and even Elvis himself, Fike’s relationship with Parker at this point was at best, ambivalent, in Fike’s case, he frequently expressed concern over Elvis Presley’s physical condition.  Parker typically ignored such entreaties, maintaining whenever forcefully pressed on this concern “that the only thing that mattered was getting Elvis ready to appear on stage that night.”]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1994Fri, 10 Mar 2023 05:58:50 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe true story about the man who contributed mightily to the destruction of one of America’s greatest 20th century icons. Elvis and the Colonel, on set. According to Colonel Tom Parker personally, he was born in early 1900, in Huntington, West...Elvis and the Colonel, on set. According to Colonel Tom Parker personally, he was born in early 1900, in Huntington, West Virginia and began working in touring carnivals at a very young age.  He served in the military, eventually developed and promoted his own carnival acts and graduated to first promoting and then managing country musicians until obtaining the exclusive management contract of Elvis Presley in 1954.  While he was always able to obscure his true beginnings, his singular accent was ascribed to his origins in rural Appalachia.  In fact, although slight, his accent was Dutch because Colonel Tom Parker was not born anywhere near West Virginia, he was not even born in the United States.  He was born Andreas Van Kuijk on June 26, 1909, in Breda, The Netherlands, the seventh of eleven children of Maria and Adam Van Kuijk. Elvis, Jailhouse Rock, 1968, NBC special Initially conceived as a Christmas special by Tom Parker, both Elvis and the shows creative team of Steve Binder and Bones Howe agreed that they wanted a more stripped down return to Elvis’ musical roots and were able to convince Parker to generally accept moving away from Elvis singing Christmas carols, most likely because that was something Presley wanted no part of.  Once they got that general agreement, Elvis made the creative decisions on his own with a great deal of input from Binder whose perspective Presley respected.  The resulting special, with a tanned, refreshed Elvis in an especially remarkable leather outfit, among other wardrobes, performing an extended medley of some of his most popular or distinctive hits was the highest rated television show of the year, the program also a critical hit. Graceland With Elvis on the road and her husband engaging in various romantic adventures as a result of his newfound notoriety, Gladys Presley, already a heavy drinker, began to consume alcohol on a daily basis and abuse sleeping pills.  Quite domineering in her relationship with Vernon, it is believed as she deteriorated physically, her husband, in Elvis’ absence began to be much more physically abusive.  Her son’s fame was also troubling and overwhelming, her fear that an hysterical crowd might eventually harm or even kill Elvis.  Depressed because her neighbors disliked her habit of raising chickens and feeding them on the front lawn of Graceland, Gladys never really adjusted to her family’s radical transformation, once telling her friend, “I wish we had stayed poor.” Elvis and Priscilla, shortly after the birth of his daughter. While in Germany, Presley also met Priscilla Beaulieu, a fourteen year old daughter of an Air Force officer stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany.  Because of her youth, her relationship with Presley was extremely restrained until 1962, although her ability to then visit Elvis and ultimately live at Graceland while Priscilla attended a local Catholic High school, was conditional upon an agreement that the couple eventually marry. Joe Esposito, circa 2010 Because some of the Memphis Mafia especially Joe Esposito, were conduits to the Colonel, he was fully aware of Preley’s restlessness and...]]>3177falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/elvis-presley-s-manager-colonel-tom-parker-part-two--69653577Elvis, Aloha From Hawaii The Colonel, understanding that the lack of international touring was a major irritant for Elvis, then devised an ingenious plan to circumvent his personal abhorrence of such a tour.  He made a deal with various television networks all over the world for Elvis to appear in a live format for live international satellite transmission to countries including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, South Vietnam, the Phillippines and Australia.  Because the Super Bowl would take place on the same day, January 14, 1973 and because special attention and additional material was to be supplied for the version shown in the United States, the American edition of the show appeared on April 4.  Elvis became excited about this novel showcase, lost twenty-five pounds in the month leading up to the show and also cut way back on his pharmaceutical consumption, evident when he hit the stage in a specially designed American eagle jumpsuit, this preparation helping to produce an iconic appearance.  The show was again NBC’s highest rated program of the year and the subsequent release of a live double album sold a half million copies in two weeks, startling numbers in the age of vinyl. Linda Thompson in 2018 Linda Thompson, the Tennessee beauty queen that became Elvis’ official girlfriend after his marriage dissolved, hoped that Presley’s ability to get himself into some semblance of normal sober shape might be a permanent transition.  But only hours after the concert ended in the early morning, Presley was again so narcotically intoxicated he could not even get off of his hotel room balcony to accompany his entourage to the USS Arizona memorial.  Thompson herself would personally witness Presley’s final harrowing descent and bizarre behavior that transformed him into a tragic monstrosity. The four engine jet that flew Elvis' entourage across America. Despite his resurgence, Elvis Presley’s spending habits, large payroll and maintenance of both Graceland and a succession of households in Bel-Air and Beverly Hills necessitated a great deal of cash.  While his live shows were lucrative, they entailed transportation eventually aboard a Convair 880 four engine jet, named the Lisa Marie after his only daughter, which transported a large entourage of security and band members to most shows. The Las Vegas Hilton With financial necessity having forced Kirk Kekorian to sell the International to the Hilton Hotel Corporation, Presley spent his time at what was now the Las Vegas Hilton, isolated In his hotel suite, avoiding Colonel Parker, who he rarely spoke to, Parker spending most of his time at the gaming tables running up a debt that eventually reached thirty million dollars.  Stories of Presley spontaneously shooting out television sets and streetlights were absolutely true, the paranoid singer usually armed with several handguns, once coming within inches of accidentally shooting Linda Thompson while she was using the bathroom. Elvis, Rapid City, South Dakota, only weeks before his death. By August of 1977, Elvis Presley, 6 feet tall, weighed 350 pounds, 175 pounds more than what he weighed only four and a half years earlier during his Aloha from Hawaii concert.  His heart was three times its normal size and his nervous system routinely  contained as many as twelve separate types of mostly narcotic medication, including several types of opiates.  His remarkable tolerance of these medications was the product of massive abuse that stretched back over two decades. Colonel Parker on Nightline, interview plugging an Elvis convention years after Elvis' death Following the circuslike funeral and public outpouring of grief after Elvis Presley’s death, life went on normally for Colonel Parker and Presley’s immediate family.  A year later, a convention was held at the Las Vegas Hilton, organized by Tom Parker, that included a dedication of a statue of Elvis in the lobby, separate admission to an Elvis re-creation for a fifteen dollar additional charge, appearances by Priscilla and Vernon Presley, and the Colonel signing an autographed poem for a buck a throw. Over a million dollars came in in 1978 for merchandise profits at least half paid to Parker.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1985Fri, 10 Mar 2023 05:45:31 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe true story about the man who contributed mightily to the destruction of one of America's greatest 20th century icons. Elvis, Aloha From Hawaii The Colonel, understanding that the lack of international touring was a major irritant for Elvis, then...Elvis, Aloha From Hawaii The Colonel, understanding that the lack of international touring was a major irritant for Elvis, then devised an ingenious plan to circumvent his personal abhorrence of such a tour.  He made a deal with various television networks all over the world for Elvis to appear in a live format for live international satellite transmission to countries including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, South Vietnam, the Phillippines and Australia.  Because the Super Bowl would take place on the same day, January 14, 1973 and because special attention and additional material was to be supplied for the version shown in the United States, the American edition of the show appeared on April 4.  Elvis became excited about this novel showcase, lost twenty-five pounds in the month leading up to the show and also cut way back on his pharmaceutical consumption, evident when he hit the stage in a specially designed American eagle jumpsuit, this preparation helping to produce an iconic appearance.  The show was again NBC’s highest rated program of the year and the subsequent release of a live double album sold a half million copies in two weeks, startling numbers in the age of vinyl. Linda Thompson in 2018 Linda Thompson, the Tennessee beauty queen that became Elvis’ official girlfriend after his marriage dissolved, hoped that Presley’s ability to get himself into some semblance of normal sober shape might be a permanent transition.  But only hours after the concert ended in the early morning, Presley was again so narcotically intoxicated he could not even get off of his hotel room balcony to accompany his entourage to the USS Arizona memorial.  Thompson herself would personally witness Presley’s final harrowing descent and bizarre behavior that transformed him into a tragic monstrosity. The four engine jet that flew Elvis' entourage across America. Despite his resurgence, Elvis Presley’s spending habits, large payroll and maintenance of both Graceland and a succession of households in Bel-Air and Beverly Hills necessitated a great deal of cash.  While his live shows were lucrative, they entailed transportation eventually aboard a Convair 880 four engine jet, named the Lisa Marie after his only daughter, which transported a large entourage of security and band members to most shows. The Las Vegas Hilton With financial necessity having forced Kirk Kekorian to sell the International to the Hilton Hotel Corporation, Presley spent his time at what was now the Las Vegas Hilton, isolated In his hotel suite, avoiding Colonel Parker, who he rarely spoke to, Parker spending most of his time at the gaming tables running up a debt that eventually reached thirty million dollars.  Stories of Presley spontaneously shooting out television sets and streetlights were absolutely true, the paranoid singer usually armed with several handguns, once coming within inches of accidentally shooting Linda Thompson while she was using the bathroom. Elvis, Rapid City, South Dakota, only weeks before his death. By August of 1977, Elvis Presley, 6 feet tall, weighed 350 pounds, 175 pounds more than what he weighed only four and...]]>2245falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-untold-story-of-crime-boss-and-sixteen-year-federal-fugitive-james-whitey-bulger-part-one--69653550Whitey, mug shot, early fifties. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen Bulger was arrested ten times, for crimes ranging from larceny, drunk in public and assault and battery.  Only once were charges ever pursued to the point of a criminal conviction and even then, Whitey was able to get the charge reduced on appeal.  It is no wonder that he developed an arrogant disdain for the criminal justice system and a sense of invulnerability.  Unfortunately, this mentality only increased the severity of his transgressions.  In May of 1948, Bulger and two accomplices enticed a young female into Whitey’s car and attempted to rape her at a beach in Dorchester.  The girl fought back and was kicked to the curb, but not before getting the license plate.  All three teens were quickly arrested.  Again, Bulger plead guilty to a lesser assault charge, paid a fine and avoided a serious prison term.  Within two months, he was arrested again, this time for a drunken assault in a diner that turned into a brawl with the police who showed up to arrest him.  Again, he plead guilty to the lesser charge of public drunkenness, paid a modest fine and walked away. Whitey, Alcatraz mug shot Despite Bill Bulger’s vehement and relentless involvement, including an eleventh hour visit to DC to the Director’s office for an unscheduled, in person request for a last minute reprieve, on November 13, 1959, Whitey was flown commercial, with federal marshals, from Baltimore to San Francisco.  From there, in leg irons, he was placed on the small ship that transported him to the center of San Francisco Bay and the Rock.  This was an especially isolating development for Whitey for in the late fifties transcontinental flight was a luxury the Bulger family certainly could not afford.  He would have to rely on letters only, the occasional visit from his brother or other family members now an impossibility. John Martorano On May 27, 1981. In broad daylight, at a country club in Tulsa, Martorano followed Roger Wheeler to his car in the parking lot and as Wheeler got in Martorano pulled the door open, put a bullet right between Wheeler’s eyes and hopped into a getaway car driven by another Winter Hill mobster.  Tulsa investigators quickly determined that criminals from Boston were probably involved, but when they and Oklahoma City FBI agents contacted Boston FBI, they got nowhere. Kevin Weeks Gradually, even the highest level coke and pot dealers were invited to the upstairs office of the Triple O’s Bar.  There, Whitey would be waiting, usually with at least Kevin Weeks, a former bouncer that Whitey took under his wing, gradually relying on him as one of his top enforcers. Whitey, Atlanta mug shot In July of 1956, there was no cushy Club Fed where Whitey could serve out his time in relative penal comfort.  Instead, he was sent to the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, a huge, forbidding edifice that had housed the likes of Al Capone, Mickey Cohen and Vito Genovese.  By comparison Whitey Bulger was a two-bit, bank robber, not exactly intimidating at 5’10”, 150 pounds and other than a few hoodlums back in Boston not particularly well connected.  After thirty days of quarantine that was mandatory for every new inmate, Bulger was assigned to one of the eight man cells that comprised most of the tiers of the prison. The Triple O's Lounge, today it is an upscale Italian restaurant Although Bulger had shot some gangster rivals to death in his early battles with the Mullens, his hands on violence began to ramp up in the late seventies, probably as a result of his newfound power as the most powerful criminal in South Boston.  This attitude was evidenced in the matter of Louie Latif, a bookmaker and drug dealer who began to behave erratically, first by murdering several business associates who caught him stealing and then by dealing cocaine.  Both behaviors were not only repeatedly unsanctioned by Bulger, Litif also refused to pay rent.  Summoned to the upstairs office at Triple O’s, Litif was pointedly warned that he was crossing a very serious line.  Litif responded that as long as he and Whitey were friends, he didn’t have a problem.  Bulger fixed him with what must have been a terrifying stare and responded, “We’re not friends anymore.”]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1970Tue, 07 Feb 2023 10:01:07 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFor twenty years, Whitey Bulger terrorized Boston with the full collusion of the FBI.  On the run for sixteen years, he was eventually arrested on June 22, 2011. Whitey, mug shot, early fifties. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen Bulger was...Whitey, mug shot, early fifties. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen Bulger was arrested ten times, for crimes ranging from larceny, drunk in public and assault and battery.  Only once were charges ever pursued to the point of a criminal conviction and even then, Whitey was able to get the charge reduced on appeal.  It is no wonder that he developed an arrogant disdain for the criminal justice system and a sense of invulnerability.  Unfortunately, this mentality only increased the severity of his transgressions.  In May of 1948, Bulger and two accomplices enticed a young female into Whitey’s car and attempted to rape her at a beach in Dorchester.  The girl fought back and was kicked to the curb, but not before getting the license plate.  All three teens were quickly arrested.  Again, Bulger plead guilty to a lesser assault charge, paid a fine and avoided a serious prison term.  Within two months, he was arrested again, this time for a drunken assault in a diner that turned into a brawl with the police who showed up to arrest him.  Again, he plead guilty to the lesser charge of public drunkenness, paid a modest fine and walked away. Whitey, Alcatraz mug shot Despite Bill Bulger’s vehement and relentless involvement, including an eleventh hour visit to DC to the Director’s office for an unscheduled, in person request for a last minute reprieve, on November 13, 1959, Whitey was flown commercial, with federal marshals, from Baltimore to San Francisco.  From there, in leg irons, he was placed on the small ship that transported him to the center of San Francisco Bay and the Rock.  This was an especially isolating development for Whitey for in the late fifties transcontinental flight was a luxury the Bulger family certainly could not afford.  He would have to rely on letters only, the occasional visit from his brother or other family members now an impossibility. John Martorano On May 27, 1981. In broad daylight, at a country club in Tulsa, Martorano followed Roger Wheeler to his car in the parking lot and as Wheeler got in Martorano pulled the door open, put a bullet right between Wheeler’s eyes and hopped into a getaway car driven by another Winter Hill mobster.  Tulsa investigators quickly determined that criminals from Boston were probably involved, but when they and Oklahoma City FBI agents contacted Boston FBI, they got nowhere. Kevin Weeks Gradually, even the highest level coke and pot dealers were invited to the upstairs office of the Triple O’s Bar.  There, Whitey would be waiting, usually with at least Kevin Weeks, a former bouncer that Whitey took under his wing, gradually relying on him as one of his top enforcers. Whitey, Atlanta mug shot In July of 1956, there was no cushy Club Fed where Whitey could serve out his time in relative penal comfort.  Instead, he was sent to the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, a huge, forbidding edifice that had housed the likes of Al Capone, Mickey Cohen and Vito Genovese.  By comparison Whitey Bulger was a two-bit, bank robber, not exactly intimidating at 5’10”, 150 pounds and other than a few...]]>3683falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-untold-story-of-crime-boss-and-sixteen-year-federal-fugitive-james-whitey-bulger-part-two--69653625Louis Litif, murder victim Litif got off with this stern warning but then made the mistake of telling Bulger that he was going to murder his bookmaker partner, a last straw.  On April, he was invited to the Triple O’s where Bulger stabbed him repeatedly with an ice pick and Steve Flemmi shot him in the head.  His body was found in the trunk of his car, in garbage bags, abandoned on a South End street.  In another example of his macabre sense of humor Whitey explained to associates afterwards that Litif, known as a flashy dresser, was wearing green underwear after they stripped his body.  Therefore, they made sure that they used green garbage bags, so that Louis would be found, color coordinated. Brian Halloran, murder victim Only a few months later, a Southie criminal named Brian Halloran tried to extricate himself from some serious criminal charges by going to the FBI, with details tying Bulger and Flemmi to the murders of Louie Litif and Roger Wheeler, even claiming to be an eye witness in both cases.  Although Halloran was at least embellishing if not outright lying about his presence at the Wheeler slaying, he was close enough to Callahan to be able to secretly record potentially incriminating conversations. He pleaded to be allowed into the witness protection program and the agent handling his case figured he would run that by supervisor John Morris, to see what he thought. Morris immediately told Connolly who told Whitey Bulger. The Haunty, 799 3rd Street, South Boston With two bodies now buried in its basement, Whitey Bulger began referring to the Nee house as the Haunty.  The cellar would have another permanent guest, Deborah Hussey, Steve Flemmi’s quasi-stepdaughter.  Although he and Marion Hussey never married, he lived within the Hussey household and was perceived as the father in the family.  That is, until Deborah Hussey revealed that Flemmi had molested her sexually, beginning when she was a young teenager.  As an adult, Debbie developed a serious drug addiction and resorted to prostitution to feed her habit.  Arrested on numerous occasions, she frequently named dropped both Flemmi and Bulger to the police.  She also took to hanging around the Triple O’s and demanding drinks from the customers or hitting up Southie dope dealers for freebies, bragging that she had connections to Whitey, another big red flag.  Bulger believed her to be a dangerous loose cannon and began pushing Flemmi to do something about it.  In early January, 1985, Flemmi did.  He got her to meet him by feigning guilt over what had happened between them and the general situation with her mother.  He asked to make it up to her by taking her clothes shopping and telling her he was thinking of buying her her own place.  Why don’t we drop by and take a look and see if you like it?  The house in question was The Haunty. FBI agent John Connolly Ambitious, Connolly was fully aware that for the FBI, the American Mafia to the exclusion of all other organized crime entities was the paramount target of Federal law enforcement.  Aware that Steve Flemmi already had provided information, Connolly set his sights on forming the same relationship with Whitey Bulger.  Thus far in his brief FBI career in New York, Connolly received high praise during his ongoing evaluations with the stipulation that he had not developed any confidential informants.  The agent, knowing Whitey from the old neighborhood and willing to cut ethical and professional corners, understood that developing Whitey as a Top echelon informant could be, within the bureau, a career maker. FBI Supervisor John Morris In the cat and mouse game of criminal informant, it quickly became clear that the lines were being blurred as to who was the cat and who was the mouse.  John Connolly introduced Bulger and Flemmi to his newly installed supervisor within the FBI’s Boston Organized Crime Unit, John Morris.  Connolly also arranged for regular dinners at Morris’ home in Lexington, Mass, dinners that included Whitey showing up with cases of very expensive wine, that always got left behind.  Morris was blown away by Connolly’s ability to gain access to two such high level informants and was also manipulated by Whitey’s slick Robin Hood façade of claiming to abhor drugs, detesting the Mafia and keeping his neighborhood free from hard drugs like cocaine and heroin and the junkies and pushers who came with such pestilence.  All of these claims were either ultimately self-serving or outright lies, but Morris was taken in. Whitey's apartment building, Santa Monica, his apartment was the last apartment, 3rd floor, all the way to the right. In the late afternoon of June 22, 2011, in Santa Monica, California a property manager name Josh Bond was sitting in his office at the Embassy Hotel.  Picking up the phone, Bond punched in the number of tenants from another property across the street, the Princess Eugenia Apartments at 1012 3rd Street, only blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Steve Flemmi, government witness Whitey also made the most crucial connection of his criminal career when he began to interact with Stephen Flemmi, a member of the Winter Hill Gang who had ambitions of bigger and better things.  Nicknamed “The Rifleman,” based on two Army tours of duty in Korea, in which he earned both a Bronze and Silver Star, Flemmi also had an ongoing relationship with longtime Boston FBI agent Paul Rico who specialized in developing informants in the New England criminal underworld.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1960Tue, 07 Feb 2023 09:46:05 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFor twenty years, Whitey Bulger terrorized Boston with the full collusion of the FBI.  On the run for sixteen years, he was eventually arrested on June 22, 2011. Louis Litif, murder victim Litif got off with this stern warning but then made the...Louis Litif, murder victim Litif got off with this stern warning but then made the mistake of telling Bulger that he was going to murder his bookmaker partner, a last straw.  On April, he was invited to the Triple O’s where Bulger stabbed him repeatedly with an ice pick and Steve Flemmi shot him in the head.  His body was found in the trunk of his car, in garbage bags, abandoned on a South End street.  In another example of his macabre sense of humor Whitey explained to associates afterwards that Litif, known as a flashy dresser, was wearing green underwear after they stripped his body.  Therefore, they made sure that they used green garbage bags, so that Louis would be found, color coordinated. Brian Halloran, murder victim Only a few months later, a Southie criminal named Brian Halloran tried to extricate himself from some serious criminal charges by going to the FBI, with details tying Bulger and Flemmi to the murders of Louie Litif and Roger Wheeler, even claiming to be an eye witness in both cases.  Although Halloran was at least embellishing if not outright lying about his presence at the Wheeler slaying, he was close enough to Callahan to be able to secretly record potentially incriminating conversations. He pleaded to be allowed into the witness protection program and the agent handling his case figured he would run that by supervisor John Morris, to see what he thought. Morris immediately told Connolly who told Whitey Bulger. The Haunty, 799 3rd Street, South Boston With two bodies now buried in its basement, Whitey Bulger began referring to the Nee house as the Haunty.  The cellar would have another permanent guest, Deborah Hussey, Steve Flemmi’s quasi-stepdaughter.  Although he and Marion Hussey never married, he lived within the Hussey household and was perceived as the father in the family.  That is, until Deborah Hussey revealed that Flemmi had molested her sexually, beginning when she was a young teenager.  As an adult, Debbie developed a serious drug addiction and resorted to prostitution to feed her habit.  Arrested on numerous occasions, she frequently named dropped both Flemmi and Bulger to the police.  She also took to hanging around the Triple O’s and demanding drinks from the customers or hitting up Southie dope dealers for freebies, bragging that she had connections to Whitey, another big red flag.  Bulger believed her to be a dangerous loose cannon and began pushing Flemmi to do something about it.  In early January, 1985, Flemmi did.  He got her to meet him by feigning guilt over what had happened between them and the general situation with her mother.  He asked to make it up to her by taking her clothes shopping and telling her he was thinking of buying her her own place.  Why don’t we drop by and take a look and see if you like it?  The house in question was The Haunty. FBI agent John Connolly Ambitious, Connolly was fully aware that for the FBI, the American Mafia to the exclusion of all other organized crime entities was the paramount target of Federal law enforcement.  Aware that Steve Flemmi already had provided information, Connolly set his sights on forming the same relationship with Whitey Bulger.  Thus far in his brief FBI career in New York, Connolly...]]>3775falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-untold-story-of-crime-boss-and-sixteen-year-federal-fugitive-james-whitey-bulger-part-three--69653628The Massachusetts State Police Wanted poster for Whitey. Whitey did not limit himself geographically to South Boston.  No longer able to access Marshall Motors because a jailed, cash strapped Howie Winter’s family needed to rent it out, in early 1980, in a location owned by confederate George Kaufman, he set up another headquarters at a garage on Lancaster Street, only blocks away from Jerry Angiulo’s North End office in a restaurant on Prince Street.  Here Bulger routinely met with Ilario “Larry” Zannino, Angiulo’s number two man, among other bookies and criminals.  An initially strategic spot for such interactions, the Lancaster location set off a law enforcement reaction that was practically a keystone cop imitation.  When the Boston State Police received a tip that the garage was actually a chop shop, two investigators began surveillance from across the street.  Stunned when they observed the entrance and exit of some of Boston’s most notorious mobsters, they realized bugging the garage would probably provide a mother lode of indictments.  Jack O’Donovan, the head of the organized crime unit for the Massachusetts State Police had long suspected that the FBI was colluding with Bulger, and O’Donovan was intent on investigating and arresting Bulger himself. Final mug shot, after sixteen years on the run When Charley Gasko emerged from the elevator into the rear area of the apartment building he would not be meeting up with Josh Bond.  Instead, he would be confronted by a half dozen FBI agents and various other law enforcement officials, guns drawn.  They ordered him to get on the ground, but despite his age and relative frailty, his response underlined that this was not your typical 81 year old senior citizen, in fact it was not Charlie Gasko at all.  It was America’s Most Wanted criminal, James J. (Whitey) Bulger. Catherine Grieg, mugshot after Santa Monica arrest. Minutes later he called his longtime companion, the alleged Carol Gasko, who was in fact Bulger’s longtime girlfriend and fellow fugitive, Catherine Grieg, his accomplice during Whitey’s 16 year odyssey.  He told her that he had been arrested, that she should stay in the apartment and minutes later she was also brought down to the garage, both fugitives now in handcuffs. Josh Bond, property manager and Whitey's next door neighbor Bond, who also managed the Princess Eugenia, needed to reach Charles or Carol Gasko, the elderly, childless couple that occupied the northeast third floor corner apartment, #304.  The property manager actually knew the Gaskos’ quite well, his own apartment was next door to theirs and he interacted with Charlie Gasko quite frequently.  Bond heard the phone ringing in his earpiece but there was no answer.  He hung up, not sure what to do.  The reason for his call was that the Gasko’s storage unit at the rear of the building was broken into and he needed to know how the couple wanted to handle the situation.  Come down and meet him, Josh, in the back of the building or just have Josh notify the police. Foteas "Freddy" Geas, indicted for the prison murder of Whitey Bulger, now in Florence Supermax Prison On the evening of October 29, Bulger arrived at the US Penitentiary in Hazelton, West Virginia.  A high security prison where two inmates were murdered in the previous six weeks, unfortunately it also housed at least two individuals who made it completely unsuitable for Bulger.  One was Fotios (Freddy) Geas, serving a life sentence for the murder of two underworld criminals.  Although of Greek ethnicity, Geas was a hitman who operated in Springfield, Mass and was affiliated with the Mafia’s Genovese crime family.  In fact, he was arrested as part of the FBI’s investigation of organized crime in the Western Massachusetts area, an investigation that eventually involved the administration of Mayor Michael Albano.  Paul DeCologero was also a Northeastern Massachusetts organized crime figure, serving a lengthy sentence for murder.  On the morning of October 30, only minutes after Whitey Bulger’s prison cell door was unlocked at 6 AM, close circuit cameras showed Geas and DeCologero entering Bulger’s cell.  They left seven minutes later.  Whitey Bulger was discovered dead at approximately 8:20 AM, Whitey Bulger's grave, St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury, MA. He is buried with his parents, but has no individual marker. The Bulger family was not aware of his transfer to West Virginia and Jackie Bulger found out about his brother’s death from the media.  However, it seems that many inmates knew of Whitey’s impending transfer, Sean McKinnon, Geas’ cellmate, and the third man eventually indicted for his murder was recorded on a prison line telling his mother in advance that Whitey was on his way.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1950Tue, 07 Feb 2023 09:26:23 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFor twenty years, Whitey Bulger terrorized Boston with the full collusion of the FBI.  On the run for sixteen years, he was eventually arrested on June 22, 2011. The Massachusetts State Police Wanted poster for Whitey. Whitey did not limit himself...The Massachusetts State Police Wanted poster for Whitey. Whitey did not limit himself geographically to South Boston.  No longer able to access Marshall Motors because a jailed, cash strapped Howie Winter’s family needed to rent it out, in early 1980, in a location owned by confederate George Kaufman, he set up another headquarters at a garage on Lancaster Street, only blocks away from Jerry Angiulo’s North End office in a restaurant on Prince Street.  Here Bulger routinely met with Ilario “Larry” Zannino, Angiulo’s number two man, among other bookies and criminals.  An initially strategic spot for such interactions, the Lancaster location set off a law enforcement reaction that was practically a keystone cop imitation.  When the Boston State Police received a tip that the garage was actually a chop shop, two investigators began surveillance from across the street.  Stunned when they observed the entrance and exit of some of Boston’s most notorious mobsters, they realized bugging the garage would probably provide a mother lode of indictments.  Jack O’Donovan, the head of the organized crime unit for the Massachusetts State Police had long suspected that the FBI was colluding with Bulger, and O’Donovan was intent on investigating and arresting Bulger himself. Final mug shot, after sixteen years on the run When Charley Gasko emerged from the elevator into the rear area of the apartment building he would not be meeting up with Josh Bond.  Instead, he would be confronted by a half dozen FBI agents and various other law enforcement officials, guns drawn.  They ordered him to get on the ground, but despite his age and relative frailty, his response underlined that this was not your typical 81 year old senior citizen, in fact it was not Charlie Gasko at all.  It was America’s Most Wanted criminal, James J. (Whitey) Bulger. Catherine Grieg, mugshot after Santa Monica arrest. Minutes later he called his longtime companion, the alleged Carol Gasko, who was in fact Bulger’s longtime girlfriend and fellow fugitive, Catherine Grieg, his accomplice during Whitey’s 16 year odyssey.  He told her that he had been arrested, that she should stay in the apartment and minutes later she was also brought down to the garage, both fugitives now in handcuffs. Josh Bond, property manager and Whitey's next door neighbor Bond, who also managed the Princess Eugenia, needed to reach Charles or Carol Gasko, the elderly, childless couple that occupied the northeast third floor corner apartment, #304.  The property manager actually knew the Gaskos’ quite well, his own apartment was next door to theirs and he interacted with Charlie Gasko quite frequently.  Bond heard the phone ringing in his earpiece but there was no answer.  He hung up, not sure what to do.  The reason for his call was that the Gasko’s storage unit at the rear of the building was broken into and he needed to know how the couple wanted to handle the situation.  Come down and meet him, Josh, in the back of the building or just have Josh notify the police. Foteas "Freddy" Geas, indicted for the prison murder of Whitey Bulger, now...]]>3763falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/harry-houdini-the-world-s-first-entertainment-superstar-part-one--69653633Houdini, early publicity photo To garner publicity, Houdini now started to promote himself by slipping handcuffs in police stations after a meticulous search by detectives.  In San Francisco, he stripped down to a veritable loin cloth to illustrate that he could not possibly be concealing a key or lock pick.  Then police restrained him with at least ten of their own pairs off handcuffs, even going so far as fastening ankle shackles to the wrists with an additional set of cuffs.  Houdini was then lifted up and placed in a nearby closet, emerging minutes later with each set of handcuffs removed and now attached together, the magician still practically naked.  Publicity photos of Houdini’s scantily clad muscular frame, draped with all nature of restraints became commonplace.  Because he could not perform in such a risqué costume, Houdini instead added the wardrobe obstacle of a straitjacket strapped over and under the numerous locks, cuffs and metal restraints he typically employed.  This became another of the performer’s trademark routines. Houdini, with mother and wife. Although Houdini himself provided intense drama for his audience, he personally experienced one of the most dramatic moments of his own life when his mother, Cecelia, died on July 17, 1913.  Although all such mother-son relationships are typically close, Houdini had an especially strong maternal bond.  Having become a worldwide success, the rock that his family and especially his mother relied upon and an attentive son who lived up to his vow to his dying father, Harry Houdini’s interaction with his mother was a typically Old World relationship.  Unlike his behavior with non-family members, which was egotistical, controlling and financially ruthless, Houdini even described himself as a Mama’s Boy and it is has been speculated that his entire career and especially his death defying stunts were nothing more than an attempt to arouse approval, attention but most importantly Cecelia’s concern. Houdini with Bess Houdini, 1913 However, the nineteen year old was anything but an overnight success.  He first paired himself with an acquaintance factory co-worker and briefly with two of his brothers, most notably his younger brother, Theo, nicknamed Dash from his middle name of Dezo.  Eventually, Dash would strike out successfully on his own, performing as Hardeen, but Harry Houdini’s co-performer by then was Wilhemina Beatrice Rahner, nicknamed Bess, who also became Houdini’s wife in mid-1894.  Bess came from a German Catholic background, an unusual union within such a devoutly Jewish family.  All of the relatives eventually accepted the marriage and Bess became an integral part of Houdini’s act. Houdini, milk can publicity photo What resulted was one of his most famous tricks, the milk can escape.  Onstage, Houdini had audience members kick the four foot tall can to establish that it was in fact metallic and inflexible.  The can was then filled with water while offstage Houdini changed into a bathing suit.  When he returned, he was handcuffed and placed inside of the can after telling the audience to hold their breath for as long as they could.  Six hasps secured by locks, some even provided by spectators, were then secured and a screen was placed in front of the can, this process itself taking approximately a minute.  Houdini’s assistant, Franz Kukol, an Austrian hired while Houdini performed in Europe, stood by with an axe, the audience told that he was to break open the can if Houdini did not emerge in a set amount of time, the Austrian’s presence designed to add additional tension to the already potentially fatal undertaking. Houdini did employ a remarkable ability to hold his breath, as a young man he is said to have been able to do this for 3 minutes 45 seconds.  But on a regular basis he was able to not breath for about two and a half minutes, more than enough to take advantage of one aspect of his specially designed enclosure.  The so called milk can had rivets on it that were in fact fake.  Although anyone examining the top of the can who tried to pull it off would not be able to do so, anyone inside the can could quickly and easily push the top part of the can off with the locks still in place, put the top back on and in Houdini’s case easily slip out of his handcuffs.  He typically emerged in about three minutes, soaking wet, but free of his cuffs, having seemingly defied death in an inexplicable manner. Houdini, as he is lowered into Chinese Water Torture Cell Having received numerous challenges from various individuals incorporating Asian themed restraining devices, Houdini wished to adapt these exotic components within the ultimate escape challenge.  What resulted was the Chinese Water Torture Cell, an elaborate specially constructed glass, telephone booth sized container into which Houdini was lowered headfirst, his feet locked into wooden stocks.  But, before he even performed this trick in front of a live audience, Houdini attempted to anticipate any of the inevitable copycats who might attempt something similar.  Understanding that patents did nothing to stop any of his imitators who merely slightly varied any devices or performances to circumvent such restrictions, he instead performed what he eventually described as a one act play which he called Houdini Upside Down. This performance deliberately took place in front of an audience of one individual, Houdini then able to copyright it and its contents, asserting that only he had the legal right to perform such a trick.  Granted an official copyright by the Lord Chamberlain, entertainment managers were then formally notified of this legal perspective, warning them of consequences if this alleged intellectual property was infringed.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1921Sat, 07 Jan 2023 04:19:04 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFew personalities have achieved the worldwide fame and popularity of Harry Houdini.  Successful in several different media ranging from vaudeville to motion pictures, this performer was also an astute businessman who incorporated both groundbreaking...Houdini, early publicity photo To garner publicity, Houdini now started to promote himself by slipping handcuffs in police stations after a meticulous search by detectives.  In San Francisco, he stripped down to a veritable loin cloth to illustrate that he could not possibly be concealing a key or lock pick.  Then police restrained him with at least ten of their own pairs off handcuffs, even going so far as fastening ankle shackles to the wrists with an additional set of cuffs.  Houdini was then lifted up and placed in a nearby closet, emerging minutes later with each set of handcuffs removed and now attached together, the magician still practically naked.  Publicity photos of Houdini’s scantily clad muscular frame, draped with all nature of restraints became commonplace.  Because he could not perform in such a risqué costume, Houdini instead added the wardrobe obstacle of a straitjacket strapped over and under the numerous locks, cuffs and metal restraints he typically employed.  This became another of the performer’s trademark routines. Houdini, with mother and wife. Although Houdini himself provided intense drama for his audience, he personally experienced one of the most dramatic moments of his own life when his mother, Cecelia, died on July 17, 1913.  Although all such mother-son relationships are typically close, Houdini had an especially strong maternal bond.  Having become a worldwide success, the rock that his family and especially his mother relied upon and an attentive son who lived up to his vow to his dying father, Harry Houdini’s interaction with his mother was a typically Old World relationship.  Unlike his behavior with non-family members, which was egotistical, controlling and financially ruthless, Houdini even described himself as a Mama’s Boy and it is has been speculated that his entire career and especially his death defying stunts were nothing more than an attempt to arouse approval, attention but most importantly Cecelia’s concern. Houdini with Bess Houdini, 1913 However, the nineteen year old was anything but an overnight success.  He first paired himself with an acquaintance factory co-worker and briefly with two of his brothers, most notably his younger brother, Theo, nicknamed Dash from his middle name of Dezo.  Eventually, Dash would strike out successfully on his own, performing as Hardeen, but Harry Houdini’s co-performer by then was Wilhemina Beatrice Rahner, nicknamed Bess, who also became Houdini’s wife in mid-1894.  Bess came from a German Catholic background, an unusual union within such a devoutly Jewish family.  All of the relatives eventually accepted the marriage and Bess became an integral part of Houdini’s act. Houdini, milk can publicity photo What resulted was one of his most famous tricks, the milk can escape.  Onstage, Houdini had audience members kick the four foot tall can to establish that it was in fact metallic and inflexible.  The can was then filled with water while offstage Houdini changed into a bathing suit.  When he returned,...]]>3126falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/harry-houdini-the-world-s-first-entertainment-superstar-part-two--69653621Houdini, moments before jumping into the Charles River. To publicize commercial appearances, the escape artist also began the practice of jumping handcuffed from bridges spanning whatever river ran through the city where he was performing.  On May 6, 1907, when Houdini jumped from a bridge in Rochester, New York, he also incorporated the new phenomenon of motion pictures, a two minute clip of this exploit is still easily found on the internet today. Underwater for no more than fifteen seconds, Houdini quickly emerged, holding the now removed restraints in the air.  Not only was this particular jump witnessed by an estimated ten thousand spectators, Houdini cleverly was able to exhibit the film footage in subsequent performances in theaters and arenas, cutting edge stuff in 1907.  A subsequent jump in New Orleans, included not only handcuffs but chains wrapped around his limbs and padlocked at his throat.  This required only about thirty seconds, before Houdini emerged, holding all of the restraints triumphantly over his head, as a transfixed audience of thousands watched from a Mississippi levee.  Weather conditions also were circumvented, Houdini once jumping twenty five feet off of Detroit’s Belle Isle Bridge at the end of November, into the freezing Detroit River.  Similar successful jumps occurred into Pittsburgh’s Allegheny and Boston’s Charles Rivers but the danger involved in these attempts was evidenced when a head first dive into the ocean from an Atlantic City pier in front of 20,000 people resulted in Houdini slamming his head into the ocean floor. Houdini jumps off of Harvard Bridge into the Charles River. All of these escapades wound up routinely publicized on newspaper front pages all across America. Houdini, with President Teddy Roosevelt In Washington, DC, in January of 1906, he was placed in the former cell that confined Presidential assassin Charles J. Guiteau within the Murderer’s Row in the DC’s United States jail.  Stripped of his clothing and thoroughly searched, he was then placed in Guiteau’s former cell, jail personnel leaving him there and returning to an exterior office.  The cells were not only protected by sophisticated locks, they also featured a bar connected to the walls of the corridor, this bar also locked with a device that featured five tumblers and was unreachable from the inside of the cell.  He emerged in two minutes, but then added the extra twist of opening the cells of all of the confined criminals and persuading them to exchange positions within the row, extricating his clothing from another cell and presenting himself to the warden in his office in a total of twenty-one minutes. Houdini, with Charlie Chaplin After observing the huge contracts obtained by such performers as Charlie Chaplin, his path became clear, especially when two young producers offered him a deal to star in an adaptation of Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea.  Initially trumpeted as the highest amount of money to be paid for a performer in a motion picture up to that time, Houdini became the first of many artists to be disappointed by the promises of a film producer.  The film was never made and he eventually sued and recovered a modest amount of money but this foray only solidified Houdini’s desire to stop touring and get heavily involved in film production. Houdini family gravesite and memorial, Machpelah Cemetery, Glendale, Queens, NY Houdini’s distraction from performing was underlined by the undertaking of building a massive monument to his mother at her gravesite at the Jewish Machpelah cemetery in Queens.  This granite and marble memorial underlined his practical obsession with his mother and also was eventually meant as a final resting place for himself, another reason for the ornate 1000 ton addition to this maternal shrine.  A ceremony on October 1, 1916 attended by 250 guests in formal attire and Houdini in mourning garb evidenced the seriousness of the magician’s preoccupation with his mother’s passing.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1913Sat, 07 Jan 2023 04:08:56 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFew personalities have achieved the worldwide fame and popularity of Harry Houdini.  Successful in several different media ranging from vaudeville to motion pictures, this performer was also an astute businessman who incorporated both groundbreaking...Houdini, moments before jumping into the Charles River. To publicize commercial appearances, the escape artist also began the practice of jumping handcuffed from bridges spanning whatever river ran through the city where he was performing.  On May 6, 1907, when Houdini jumped from a bridge in Rochester, New York, he also incorporated the new phenomenon of motion pictures, a two minute clip of this exploit is still easily found on the internet today. Underwater for no more than fifteen seconds, Houdini quickly emerged, holding the now removed restraints in the air.  Not only was this particular jump witnessed by an estimated ten thousand spectators, Houdini cleverly was able to exhibit the film footage in subsequent performances in theaters and arenas, cutting edge stuff in 1907.  A subsequent jump in New Orleans, included not only handcuffs but chains wrapped around his limbs and padlocked at his throat.  This required only about thirty seconds, before Houdini emerged, holding all of the restraints triumphantly over his head, as a transfixed audience of thousands watched from a Mississippi levee.  Weather conditions also were circumvented, Houdini once jumping twenty five feet off of Detroit’s Belle Isle Bridge at the end of November, into the freezing Detroit River.  Similar successful jumps occurred into Pittsburgh’s Allegheny and Boston’s Charles Rivers but the danger involved in these attempts was evidenced when a head first dive into the ocean from an Atlantic City pier in front of 20,000 people resulted in Houdini slamming his head into the ocean floor. Houdini jumps off of Harvard Bridge into the Charles River. All of these escapades wound up routinely publicized on newspaper front pages all across America. Houdini, with President Teddy Roosevelt In Washington, DC, in January of 1906, he was placed in the former cell that confined Presidential assassin Charles J. Guiteau within the Murderer’s Row in the DC’s United States jail.  Stripped of his clothing and thoroughly searched, he was then placed in Guiteau’s former cell, jail personnel leaving him there and returning to an exterior office.  The cells were not only protected by sophisticated locks, they also featured a bar connected to the walls of the corridor, this bar also locked with a device that featured five tumblers and was unreachable from the inside of the cell.  He emerged in two minutes, but then added the extra twist of opening the cells of all of the confined criminals and persuading them to exchange positions within the row, extricating his clothing from another cell and presenting himself to the warden in his office in a total of twenty-one minutes. Houdini, with Charlie Chaplin After observing the huge contracts obtained by such performers as Charlie Chaplin, his path became clear, especially when two young producers offered him a deal to star in an adaptation of Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea.  Initially trumpeted as the highest amount of money to be paid for a performer in a motion...]]>2250falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/oscar-wilde-from-literary-genius-to-social-outcast-part-one--69653600Oscar Wilde, college years At Oxford, Wilde continued his immersion in the classics.  The school was definitely a step up in class, his fellow students having matriculated at Eton, Harrow or similarly upper class English preparatory environments.  Many were also comparatively much wealthier than the modestly affluent Irish native. A later journalistic account described him as initially, naïve, embarrassed, with a convulsive laugh, a lisp and Irish accent. Wilde, in a typical outfit during his American tour. Wilde sailed for America, arriving in New York on January 2, 1882.  Oscar, who received a great deal of attention in London’s society columns, and whose tour was widely publicized in both Britain and the US, was swamped by journalists, even before he was able to clear customs and disembark, the press actually hiring boats to interview Wilde offshore.             Wishing to represent himself as an aesthete in appearance as well as philosophical perspective, Wilde greeted the press in a full length green topcoat, trimmed with fur on the cuffs and collars, a similarly colored and trimmed rounded green hat on his head, hair much longer then was typical.  A large collared shirt with light blue tie was visible underneath this outer layer.  He also wore a large seal ring with a classical Greek profile. Constance Wilde and son Cyril Oscar Wilde also remained focused on Constance Lloyd.  In Dublin, for a series of lectures, he was invited to the home of relative’s of Constance’s mother, Adelaide Atkinson Lloyd.  There, Oscar and Constance spent time together and socialized for the next few days, Constance attending both of Wilde’s Dublin lectures.  On November 25, the couple were left alone in the drawing room of the Atkinson home, the same room where Constance’s father proposed to her mother.  Here, also Oscar Wilde proposed to Constance Lloyd.  She accepted immediately and was described as, “insanely happy.” Wilde and Douglas in 1893 But just as Wilde reached the heights of public popularity, his private life resulted in his complete personal ruin and professional destruction.  Although his vow of celibacy applied to his relationship with his wife, it did not preclude Wilde from consorting sexually with men, on a frequent basis that included what were termed, “rent boys,” young, working class males typically in their late teens.  Wilde was also emotionally involved with Lord Alfred Douglas, nicknamed Bosie, a student at Oxford when Wilde was introduced to him.  The two began a tempestuous lengthy relationship that was also quite indiscrete. Calling card left at the Albemarle Club by the Marquess of Queensberry On February 28, 1895, Wilde entered a private club of which he was a member, the Albemarle Club.  He was hailed by the doorman, who handed him an envelope, stating that the enclosed card was dropped off ten days earlier.  Inside was a card embossed with the Marquess of Queensbury’s name and written in script, “For Oscar Wilde- posing Somdomite,” the last word misspelled but written with clear intent.  Only the card was delivered, it was judiciously placed in an envelope by the doorman and could have easily been seen by staff, as well as members, which included women.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1901Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:20:24 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn March of 1895, Oscar Wilde enjoyed fame and fortune as one of Britain’s foremost literary figures.  Only four months later he was inprisoned for the crime of “gross indecency,” convicted of violating Britain’s laws against same sex relationships....Oscar Wilde, college years At Oxford, Wilde continued his immersion in the classics.  The school was definitely a step up in class, his fellow students having matriculated at Eton, Harrow or similarly upper class English preparatory environments.  Many were also comparatively much wealthier than the modestly affluent Irish native. A later journalistic account described him as initially, naïve, embarrassed, with a convulsive laugh, a lisp and Irish accent. Wilde, in a typical outfit during his American tour. Wilde sailed for America, arriving in New York on January 2, 1882.  Oscar, who received a great deal of attention in London’s society columns, and whose tour was widely publicized in both Britain and the US, was swamped by journalists, even before he was able to clear customs and disembark, the press actually hiring boats to interview Wilde offshore.             Wishing to represent himself as an aesthete in appearance as well as philosophical perspective, Wilde greeted the press in a full length green topcoat, trimmed with fur on the cuffs and collars, a similarly colored and trimmed rounded green hat on his head, hair much longer then was typical.  A large collared shirt with light blue tie was visible underneath this outer layer.  He also wore a large seal ring with a classical Greek profile. Constance Wilde and son Cyril Oscar Wilde also remained focused on Constance Lloyd.  In Dublin, for a series of lectures, he was invited to the home of relative’s of Constance’s mother, Adelaide Atkinson Lloyd.  There, Oscar and Constance spent time together and socialized for the next few days, Constance attending both of Wilde’s Dublin lectures.  On November 25, the couple were left alone in the drawing room of the Atkinson home, the same room where Constance’s father proposed to her mother.  Here, also Oscar Wilde proposed to Constance Lloyd.  She accepted immediately and was described as, “insanely happy.” Wilde and Douglas in 1893 But just as Wilde reached the heights of public popularity, his private life resulted in his complete personal ruin and professional destruction.  Although his vow of celibacy applied to his relationship with his wife, it did not preclude Wilde from consorting sexually with men, on a frequent basis that included what were termed, “rent boys,” young, working class males typically in their late teens.  Wilde was also emotionally involved with Lord Alfred Douglas, nicknamed Bosie, a student at Oxford when Wilde was introduced to him.  The two began a tempestuous lengthy relationship that was also quite indiscrete. Calling card left at the Albemarle Club by the Marquess of Queensberry On February 28, 1895, Wilde entered a private club of which he was a member, the Albemarle Club.  He was hailed by the doorman, who handed him an envelope, stating that the enclosed card was dropped off ten days earlier.  Inside was a card embossed...]]>3533falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/oscar-wilde-from-literary-genius-to-social-outcast-part-two--69653596Wilde and Douglas in Naples, 1897 Unfortunately, their reunion was so successful that both men began contemplating running off to Naples, the consequences be damned.  Robert Ross and various other associates and friends of Wilde soon heard about this development and were all uniformly dismayed.  Wilde was literally living off his wife’s allowance, funds that would be jeopardized if the news of his rekindled relationship with Bosie became known to her and especially her attorneys.  Even so, he needed to borrow money just to get to Naples by train, leaving this important fact out of any discussions he had about his reasons for heading to Italy. Robert Ross Robert Ross’ belief that Wilde’s literary reputation would eventually be reconstituted occurred faster than even he anticipated.  By the beginning of the 20th century, various critical analyses and biographies and accounts of Wilde’s life appeared to great interest.  His plays never really disappeared for any length of time, their popularity in British regional theater continued and all of Wilde’s theatrical works returned to popularity internationally as the century progressed.  By 1908, Ross had successfully repurchased all of Wilde’s copyrights that were sold off during Oscar’s bankruptcy proceedings.  These rights were then returned to Wilde’s sons. The Ninth Marquess of Queensbery, John Sholto Douglas John Sholto Douglas, the ninth Marquess of Queensberry.  Aggressively masculine and a sportsman, as opposed to his sons, the elder Douglas, is credited with creating what are known as boxing’s “Queensberry Rules,” the ten basic rules that govern boxing even today.  Despite great wealth, Douglas was extremely hostile, and possibly mentally ill. Constance Wilde Holland's grave. The Wilde connection was added much later by her relatives Although his wife also restored a modest allowance of ten pounds a month upon hearing of his break with Douglas, Wilde received the news that she died on April 7, 1898 after a botched operation to relieve her paralysis.  She was buried in Genoa, her gravestone using her newly assumed name of Holland with no mention of Oscar Wilde. Wilde deathbed photo. Note wallpaper. Finding Wilde borderline delirious and hearing that he had no more than days to live, Ross then went to the nearest Catholic church and brought back an Irish priest who quickly went through the official ceremony of converting Wilde to Catholicism.  Ross also sent cables to Frank Harris and Alfred Douglas, warning them of Wilde’s current state.  By the morning of November of November 30, Wilde had lost consciousness and was completely unresponsive.  He died that afternoon. Wilde's tomb, Pere Lachaise Ross also transferred Wilde’s remains from Bagneaux to the more prestigious Parisian cemetery at Pere Lachaise, already the resting place of Chopin, Balzac, Moliere and eventually Sarah Bernhardt, Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison. Ross also collected funds for a magnificent sculpted abstract sphinxlike creature, requesting that the artist Jacob Epstein include a compartment for the internment of Ross’ own ashes, a request that was not fulfilled until 1950, 32 years after Ross’ death at age 49 of a heart attack.  Epstein’s monument is perhaps too magnificent, it was repeatedly vandalized by lipstick kisses until cemetery authorities cleaned it and installed plexiglass to prevent such future vandalism.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1893Tue, 22 Nov 2022 05:08:25 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn March of 1895, Oscar Wilde enjoyed fame and fortune as one of Britain's foremost literary figures.  Only four months later he was inprisoned for the crime of "gross indecency," convicted of violating Britain's laws against same sex relationships....Wilde and Douglas in Naples, 1897 Unfortunately, their reunion was so successful that both men began contemplating running off to Naples, the consequences be damned.  Robert Ross and various other associates and friends of Wilde soon heard about this development and were all uniformly dismayed.  Wilde was literally living off his wife’s allowance, funds that would be jeopardized if the news of his rekindled relationship with Bosie became known to her and especially her attorneys.  Even so, he needed to borrow money just to get to Naples by train, leaving this important fact out of any discussions he had about his reasons for heading to Italy. Robert Ross Robert Ross’ belief that Wilde’s literary reputation would eventually be reconstituted occurred faster than even he anticipated.  By the beginning of the 20th century, various critical analyses and biographies and accounts of Wilde’s life appeared to great interest.  His plays never really disappeared for any length of time, their popularity in British regional theater continued and all of Wilde’s theatrical works returned to popularity internationally as the century progressed.  By 1908, Ross had successfully repurchased all of Wilde’s copyrights that were sold off during Oscar’s bankruptcy proceedings.  These rights were then returned to Wilde’s sons. The Ninth Marquess of Queensbery, John Sholto Douglas John Sholto Douglas, the ninth Marquess of Queensberry.  Aggressively masculine and a sportsman, as opposed to his sons, the elder Douglas, is credited with creating what are known as boxing’s “Queensberry Rules,” the ten basic rules that govern boxing even today.  Despite great wealth, Douglas was extremely hostile, and possibly mentally ill. Constance Wilde Holland's grave. The Wilde connection was added much later by her relatives Although his wife also restored a modest allowance of ten pounds a month upon hearing of his break with Douglas, Wilde received the news that she died on April 7, 1898 after a botched operation to relieve her paralysis.  She was buried in Genoa, her gravestone using her newly assumed name of Holland with no mention of Oscar Wilde. Wilde deathbed photo. Note wallpaper. Finding Wilde borderline delirious and hearing that he had no more than days to live, Ross then went to the nearest Catholic church and brought back an Irish priest who quickly went through the official ceremony of converting Wilde to Catholicism.  Ross also sent cables to Frank Harris and Alfred Douglas, warning them of Wilde’s current state.  By the morning of November of November 30, Wilde had lost consciousness and was completely unresponsive.  He died that afternoon. Wilde's tomb, Pere Lachaise Ross also transferred Wilde’s remains from Bagneaux to the more prestigious Parisian...]]>2717falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/philippe-petit-the-man-on-wire-part-one--69653605Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, site of Philippe Petit's 1971 coup On the night of June 25th and the early morning of June 26th ,1971 Philippe Petit and his associates ascended the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral.  Blondeau tossed a fishing line attached to a tennis ball to Petit in the other tower.  A thicker rope was attached to this initial line and then pulled across the gap between the two towers, this process repeated with thicker ropes until the heavy metal cable was attached to a rope and pulled across the open space.  Petit and Blondeau worked all night, securing the wire until the early morning hours of Saturday.  Then, to the amazement of the ever increasing group of tourists that gathered in the plaza in front of the cathedral, Petit, dressed in his typical all black clothing walked on to the cable and for three hours, juggled balls and pins, walked rapidly back and forth and even lay on his back as the crowd applauded below. Sydney Harbor Bridge, with pylons, site of Petit's 1973 coup Assisted by some local Australians he met in Nimbin, he persuaded a local wire distributor to give him the requisite cable in exchange for a performance of magic and juggling for the company’s employees.  With huge padlocked doors impossible to pick or penetrate, Petit hacksawed his way in through barred gaps high above the ground and, with his newfound friends, reconnoitered both pylons at night.  Eventually they were able to rig the bridge in preparation for the crossing scheduled to occur on June 3, 1973.  At rush hour on the morning of June 3, Petit ascended the wire and crossed several times, pausing again to perform his trademark move of lying on his back for several minutes, supported only by the thin cable, almost three hundred feet above the ground. Petit at the Academy Awards It was three weeks before Petit took the subway downtown and, for the first time, got a look at the Twin Towers in person.  Even he was humbled by the magnitude of both buildings, recalling later that the same word kept unconsciously repeating in his mind: Impossible! But, even on this first attempt at reconnaissance, Petit would access forbidden stairwells, avoid police and, when encountering construction workers, act as if he belonged.  Although it took an hour, he finally emerged, alone on the top of one of the Twin Towers.  Far from complete, the building did not even have a guardrail.  It was 1,350 feet high and eventually contained 110 stories.  Petit was still so intimidated that when he got to the edge of the structure he could barely look down and focused instead on the distance between the two towers. The World Trade Center, twin towers enveloped by fog. It is approximately 7 AM, soon the entire area will be crawling with workers and security.  Petit knows it is now or never.  He is utterly exhausted and has gotten virtually no sleep for two consecutive days.  Later, Blondeau would call the wire the worst they had ever rigged together.  Both he and Jean Francois Heckel were also terrified, believing that it was very possible that Petit could fall.  But Petit had already made up his mind.             “I had to make a decision of shifting my weight from one foot anchored to the building to the one foot anchored on the wire.  This is possibly the end of my life, to step on that wire, but on the other hand something that I could not resist, I did not make any effort to resist, something called me on to the cable. And death is very close.”]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1879Sat, 22 Oct 2022 03:28:29 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn August 7, 1974, a twenty-five year old man named Philippe Petit walked across a 200 foot wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center, 1,350 feet above the ground, something that even the policeman who arrested him described as a once in...Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, site of Philippe Petit's 1971 coup On the night of June 25th and the early morning of June 26th ,1971 Philippe Petit and his associates ascended the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral.  Blondeau tossed a fishing line attached to a tennis ball to Petit in the other tower.  A thicker rope was attached to this initial line and then pulled across the gap between the two towers, this process repeated with thicker ropes until the heavy metal cable was attached to a rope and pulled across the open space.  Petit and Blondeau worked all night, securing the wire until the early morning hours of Saturday.  Then, to the amazement of the ever increasing group of tourists that gathered in the plaza in front of the cathedral, Petit, dressed in his typical all black clothing walked on to the cable and for three hours, juggled balls and pins, walked rapidly back and forth and even lay on his back as the crowd applauded below. Sydney Harbor Bridge, with pylons, site of Petit's 1973 coup Assisted by some local Australians he met in Nimbin, he persuaded a local wire distributor to give him the requisite cable in exchange for a performance of magic and juggling for the company’s employees.  With huge padlocked doors impossible to pick or penetrate, Petit hacksawed his way in through barred gaps high above the ground and, with his newfound friends, reconnoitered both pylons at night.  Eventually they were able to rig the bridge in preparation for the crossing scheduled to occur on June 3, 1973.  At rush hour on the morning of June 3, Petit ascended the wire and crossed several times, pausing again to perform his trademark move of lying on his back for several minutes, supported only by the thin cable, almost three hundred feet above the ground. Petit at the Academy Awards It was three weeks before Petit took the subway downtown and, for the first time, got a look at the Twin Towers in person.  Even he was humbled by the magnitude of both buildings, recalling later that the same word kept unconsciously repeating in his mind: Impossible! But, even on this first attempt at reconnaissance, Petit would access forbidden stairwells, avoid police and, when encountering construction workers, act as if he belonged.  Although it took an hour, he finally emerged, alone on the top of one of the Twin Towers.  Far from complete, the building did not even have a guardrail.  It was 1,350 feet high and eventually contained 110 stories.  Petit was still so intimidated that when he got to the edge of the structure he could barely look down and focused instead on the distance between the two towers. The World Trade Center, twin towers enveloped by fog. It is approximately 7 AM, soon the entire area will be crawling with workers and security.  Petit knows it is now or never.  He is utterly exhausted and has gotten virtually no sleep for two consecutive days.  Later, Blondeau would call the wire the worst they had ever rigged together.  Both he and Jean Francois Heckel were also terrified, believing that it was very possible that Petit could fall.  But Petit had already made up his mind....]]>2531falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/philippe-petit-the-man-on-wire-part-two--69653588Philippe Petit, entertaining the police who arrested him on August 7 After Philip and Jean Francois are booked and fingerprinted, they were handcuffed to chairs while paperwork is composed that specifically defines the charges of Criminal Trespass and Disorderly Conduct.  In the details of the complaint, the headline reads “Man on Wire.”  It only takes Petit a few minutes to charm most of his captors by balancing a policeman’s hat on his nose and flipping it on to his head repeatedly. Jean Francois Heckel, under arrest, August 7 .  It is ultimately decided that both men are to be conveyed to a downtown hospital where Philippe is to be given psychiatric examination.  The doctor in charge quickly pronounces him sane.  He is taken back to a precinct house, where he is told that his sister is on the phone, a ruse to allow Annie to attempt to speak with him.  An hour later, in front of a judge, the deal is made official.  Ultimately, this little show will turn into a October 29 high wire walk across Central Park’s Turtle Pond, in front of 5,000 spectators.  Both Jean Francois and Philippe are released and their cuffs removed.  They are free to go, however Jean Francois was eventually officially deported. Barry Greenhouse Merely walking through the lobby, he heard his name being called and turning to the source of the voice he saw a very well dressed man with a striking handlebar moustache.  The man ebulliently explained that he saw Philippe performing in Paris while the stranger was on vacation.  He introduced himself, also responding to Philippe’s already probing questions telling the aerialist that he works on the 82nd floor of the South tower.  His name is Barry Greenhouse, employed by the New York State Insurance Department and most importantly his office is on an upper floor.  When Barry asked Philippe again what he is doing in the World Trade Center, Philippe invited him to dinner, realizing that Greenhouse may be the most valuable accomplice in his entire crew.  At dinner, with Annie participating, Petit wheeled out his photo album scrapbook of his antics in Paris and Sydney and, thinking, based on Greenhouse amused reaction that the streetwise New Yorker probably has figured out what he is up to, Petit spells out his plan exactly, asking for the older man’s help.  After asking some general questions, probably to see how serious Petit was, Greenhouse offered to assist in any way that he can. Annie Allix On the street below, Annie Allix was much more effusive.  “I saw Philippe up there, it was extraordinary, it was so, so beautiful…It was like he was walking on a cloud.” Jean Louis Blondeau, 2009 Jean Louis and Jean Francois have already flown home, Heckel’s excited anticipation over potential future coups dampened by Jean Louis’ admonition that he will never work with Petit again and he believes that their friendship is irrevocably broken.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1872Sat, 22 Oct 2022 03:15:30 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn August 7, 1974, a twenty-five year old man named Philippe Petit walked across a 200 foot wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center, 1,350 feet above the ground, something that even the policeman who arrested him described as a once in...Philippe Petit, entertaining the police who arrested him on August 7 After Philip and Jean Francois are booked and fingerprinted, they were handcuffed to chairs while paperwork is composed that specifically defines the charges of Criminal Trespass and Disorderly Conduct.  In the details of the complaint, the headline reads “Man on Wire.”  It only takes Petit a few minutes to charm most of his captors by balancing a policeman’s hat on his nose and flipping it on to his head repeatedly. Jean Francois Heckel, under arrest, August 7 .  It is ultimately decided that both men are to be conveyed to a downtown hospital where Philippe is to be given psychiatric examination.  The doctor in charge quickly pronounces him sane.  He is taken back to a precinct house, where he is told that his sister is on the phone, a ruse to allow Annie to attempt to speak with him.  An hour later, in front of a judge, the deal is made official.  Ultimately, this little show will turn into a October 29 high wire walk across Central Park’s Turtle Pond, in front of 5,000 spectators.  Both Jean Francois and Philippe are released and their cuffs removed.  They are free to go, however Jean Francois was eventually officially deported. Barry Greenhouse Merely walking through the lobby, he heard his name being called and turning to the source of the voice he saw a very well dressed man with a striking handlebar moustache.  The man ebulliently explained that he saw Philippe performing in Paris while the stranger was on vacation.  He introduced himself, also responding to Philippe’s already probing questions telling the aerialist that he works on the 82nd floor of the South tower.  His name is Barry Greenhouse, employed by the New York State Insurance Department and most importantly his office is on an upper floor.  When Barry asked Philippe again what he is doing in the World Trade Center, Philippe invited him to dinner, realizing that Greenhouse may be the most valuable accomplice in his entire crew.  At dinner, with Annie participating, Petit wheeled out his photo album scrapbook of his antics in Paris and Sydney and, thinking, based on Greenhouse amused reaction that the streetwise New Yorker probably has figured out what he is up to, Petit spells out his plan exactly, asking for the older man’s help.  After asking some general questions, probably to see how serious Petit was, Greenhouse offered to assist in any way that he can. Annie Allix On the street below, Annie Allix was much more effusive.  “I saw Philippe up there, it was extraordinary, it was so, so beautiful…It was like he was walking on a cloud.” Jean Louis Blondeau, 2009 Jean Louis and Jean Francois have already flown home, Heckel’s excited anticipation over potential future coups dampened by Jean Louis’ admonition that he will never work with Petit again and he believes that their friendship is irrevocably broken.  ]]>1416falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/truman-capote-dick-hickock-perry-smith-and-in-cold-blood-part-one--69653639Capote, as he would have dressed while visiting Holcomb and Garden City Kansas When Truman Capote arrived in Kansas, Smith and Hickock were not yet on law enforcement’s radar.  Capote’s initial intent was to write about the reaction of the town and its inhabitants but he had at least enough self awareness to understand that it would be next to impossible for someone with both his New York and blatantly homosexual persona to ingratiate himself to the appropriate degree. Harper Lee, 1960, photo taken by Truman Capote Capote enlisted Harper Lee as his partner in journalism and set about trying to induce the locals, both law enforcement and private citizens, into sharing any valuable insight.  His initial wardrobe of a pillbox style hat, long sheepskin coat and scarf that hung all the way to his feet did him no favors but Harper Lee seems to have helped him win over his most productive source and access to important information.  Alvin Dewey, as a member of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation or KBI, the state agency with jurisdiction over the investigation and a resident of Garden City, was logically designated to coordinate the investigation with other assigned members of the KBI.  Initially repelled by Capote, Dewey eventually was charmed especially by Harper Lee, who also became friendly with Dewey’s wife Marie, and it wasn’t long before Capote and Lee were getting regular invitations to dinner. Clutter house, 2009, much like it appeared in 1959  Arriving shortly after midnight on the morning of November 15, a full moon completely illuminated both the Clutter home, and the expansive series of barns, which Smith said excited Hickock, Dick thinking the proprietor of such a spread had to possess a great deal of money.  With no need for headlights, Hickock shut them and the car engine off and parked behind a tree, allowing the two men to appraise the situation. Hickock mug shot Richard Eugene “Dick” Hickock was born on June 6, 1931 in Kansas City, Missouri.  His parents, Walter and Eunice, were typically devout, hard working lower middle class Kansas Midwesterners who raised their family on a 44 acre farm in the small town of Edgerton.  Walter Hickock worked as a mechanic by day and farmed his acreage during off hours.  Industrious, he built the farm’s main family residence by himself.  His oldest of two sons, Dick was popular in high school and lettered in several sports but Dick’s parents were unable to provide the financial means to send Dick to college after his graduation in 1949.  Instead, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad and pursued another interest, women.  Many surmise that the critical event in Hickock’s life was a serious car accident in 1950, in which he was almost killed, spent days in the hospital and emerged with disfigured facial features and possibly permanent brain damage. Married at age 19 to his 16 year old girlfriend who produced two children, Hickock seems to have undergone a personality change in which he suddenly began gambling, kiting checks and living beyond his means.  He also managed to conceive a child with another woman, prompting a divorce from his first wife.  Saying that he wanted to “do the right thing,” he married the mother of his third child but continued to subsidize menial jobs, mostly as an auto mechanic, with petty crime.  Whether it was for writing bad checks or stealing a rifle from a private residence, Hickock finally caught his first five-year jail sentence in 1956 for “cheating and defrauding.”  He was paroled from Kansas State Penitentiary on August 13, 1959. Smith mug shot Perry Edward Smith was born in Huntington, Nevada on October 27, 1928, perhaps appropriately, his birthplace is now a ghost town.  His father John “Tex” Smith and mother Florence “Flo” Buckskin were rodeo riders who performed in small towns across the northern great plains. Described as a full blooded Cherokee by Capote, Flo was in fact Shoshone-Paiute.  In 1929, Smith’s parents moved to Juneau, Alaska, where Tex hustled a living as a bootlegger.  Both parents were alcoholic, Tex violently abusive to both his wife and his four children and frequently absent for lengthy periods of time.  During these absences, Flo engaged in numerous adulterous affairs, eventually precipitating an especially violent beating at the hands of Tex in 1935, behavior that convinced Flo to flee to San Francisco.  Usually in an alcoholic haze, she was unable to care for her children, who were eventually placed in a series of institutions and Catholic orphanages, Perry already arrested by the age of eight.  Subjected to repeated physical abuse, especially at the hands of the nuns he frequently encountered, Smith evolved into an angry and aggressive loner, constantly in conflict with others.  Eventually, his father intervened, removing Perry from San Francisco and taking him throughout Nevada and Alaska, settling in the latter state until Perry’s enlistment at age 16 in the Merchant Marine.  After that, in 1948, he enlisted in the US Army, serving in both Japan and Korea and receiving the Bronze Star for action as a combat engineer during the pivotal Battle of Inchon.  But, despite his honorable discharge, he frequently fought with other soldiers and civilians and spent lengthy periods in the stockade.  He intended to return to Alaska and live with his father but, most likely because of their tempestuous relationship, he moved to Washington State in the summer of 1952 and there he suffered a serious motorcycle accident that almost forced the amputation of both legs and left him with a permanent limp, constant pain and an aspirin addiction.  While in Washington he also fathered an illegitimate son, who was raised by an Army buddy as his own child.  Smith then spent a year convalescing in a hospital before returning to Alaska, where he hoped to reunite with his father.  They built a hunting lodge together in a remote part of the state, called the Trapper’s Den Lodge but had a serious and violent falling out in 1955, when the lodge failed.  Smith drifted across the Midwest and with a partner, broke into an office in Phillipsburg, Kansas where they stole anything of value.  Arrested after a traffic stop, Smith and his accomplice broke out of jail, stole a car and it was New York City before Perry was apprehended by the FBI and taken back to Kansas to face the music.  In 1956, he received five to ten years for the previous burglary and interstate flight.  It is at the Kansas State Penitentiary that he met Dick Hickock, at some point sharing a cell. Robert Blake in the 1967 film as Perry Smith, an uncanny likeness The 1967 film reproduction of the book only added to Capote’s celebrity runway.  While some have attributed the author’s downward spiral to the emotional trauma of his involvement with Hickock and Smith, Capote’s thinly concealed eagerness for the two men’s execution and his alcoholism and drug abuse were only enabled by the ability to coast along on his reputation, his great wealth allowing a lifestyle of indulgence and artistic inactivity. Truman Capote, in front of the motel he frequented in Garden City, Kansas. Next door was one of the few "wet" restaurants in the city. By the time the two suspects were returned to Garden City, Capote had so ingratiated himself with Alvin Dewey that he was granted a privilege denied to every other journalist covering the Clutter case; interview access to Hickock and Smith.  This would not be the only benefit granted by Dewey but it was extremely significant.  The egotistical, verbose Hickock was an easy subject for Capote who drained him of as much information as possible but Perry Smith was initially wary. Ultimately fascinated by Capote and, insecure about his lack of formal education, that a man of letters would be interested in conversing with him, Smith also established a close relationship.  After getting this exclusive access, Capote then returned to New York with Harper Lee, as there was nothing for him to do but wait for the trial, scheduled for March 22, 1960.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1857Fri, 30 Sep 2022 03:36:18 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn November 14, 1959, two petty criminals, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith, crossed Kansas, murdered the Clutter family in the tiny hamlet of Holcomb, Kansas and unwittingly enabled a New York City writer named Truman Capote to achieve immortality for...Capote, as he would have dressed while visiting Holcomb and Garden City Kansas When Truman Capote arrived in Kansas, Smith and Hickock were not yet on law enforcement’s radar.  Capote’s initial intent was to write about the reaction of the town and its inhabitants but he had at least enough self awareness to understand that it would be next to impossible for someone with both his New York and blatantly homosexual persona to ingratiate himself to the appropriate degree. Harper Lee, 1960, photo taken by Truman Capote Capote enlisted Harper Lee as his partner in journalism and set about trying to induce the locals, both law enforcement and private citizens, into sharing any valuable insight.  His initial wardrobe of a pillbox style hat, long sheepskin coat and scarf that hung all the way to his feet did him no favors but Harper Lee seems to have helped him win over his most productive source and access to important information.  Alvin Dewey, as a member of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation or KBI, the state agency with jurisdiction over the investigation and a resident of Garden City, was logically designated to coordinate the investigation with other assigned members of the KBI.  Initially repelled by Capote, Dewey eventually was charmed especially by Harper Lee, who also became friendly with Dewey’s wife Marie, and it wasn’t long before Capote and Lee were getting regular invitations to dinner. Clutter house, 2009, much like it appeared in 1959  Arriving shortly after midnight on the morning of November 15, a full moon completely illuminated both the Clutter home, and the expansive series of barns, which Smith said excited Hickock, Dick thinking the proprietor of such a spread had to possess a great deal of money.  With no need for headlights, Hickock shut them and the car engine off and parked behind a tree, allowing the two men to appraise the situation. Hickock mug shot Richard Eugene “Dick” Hickock was born on June 6, 1931 in Kansas City, Missouri.  His parents, Walter and Eunice, were typically devout, hard working lower middle class Kansas Midwesterners who raised their family on a 44 acre farm in the small town of Edgerton.  Walter Hickock worked as a mechanic by day and farmed his acreage during off hours.  Industrious, he built the farm’s main family residence by himself.  His oldest of two sons, Dick was popular in high school and lettered in several sports but Dick’s parents were unable to provide the financial means to send Dick to college after his graduation in 1949.  Instead, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad and pursued another interest, women.  Many surmise that the critical event in Hickock’s life was a serious car accident in 1950, in which he was almost killed, spent days in the hospital and emerged with disfigured facial features and possibly permanent brain damage. Married at age 19 to his 16 year old girlfriend who produced two children, Hickock seems to have undergone a personality change in which he suddenly began gambling, kiting checks and living beyond his means.  He also managed to conceive a child with another woman, prompting a divorce from his...]]>3063falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/truman-capote-dick-hickock-perry-smith-and-in-cold-blood-part-two--69653607The stolen license plate spotted by Las Vegas police that led to Smith and Hickock's arrest. This arrest was most likely the result of the efforts of KBI investigator Harold Nye, who, in the interim after the Wells revelation, had traveled to Las Vegas to question individuals who might have encountered Perry Smith while Smith stayed in the city prior to returning to Kansas.  Nye also met extensively with members of the Las Vegas Police department and impressed upon them that Smith especially was known to frequent the city and that Smith and Hickock’s apprehension was extremely important.  While the attentive Las Vegas patrolmen who spotted the stolen plate and vehicle deserve credit, most likely they were focused as a result of information transmitted throughout the department, the result of Harold Nye’s diligence. Reproduction of the bloodstain from Smith's boot and the boot itself, on display with the license plate, Finney County Sheriff's Department exhibit. Hickock and Smith, not wanting to drag a lot of miscellaneous items with them when they returned from Mexico and had to resort to hitchhiking, mailed a box to Post Office General Delivery in Las Vegas containing, among other things, the boots they wore the night they killed the Clutters.  Their arrest occurred only a few minutes later and had the police nabbed them sooner these critical items that physically linked them to the murder scene might never have been recovered. Replacement gravestone, Dick Hickock, Mount Muncie Cemetery, original purchased by Truman Capote was stolen and is now in the custody of Kansas State Historical Society archives but not publicly displayed out of deference to the Clutter family. Hickock went first although no one was really sure how that was decided, perhaps alphabetically.  He made a brief statement; “I don’t have any hard feelings.  You’re sending me to a better place.” He then thanked the KBI agents for being there and was helped by guards up the thirteen steps of the gallows.  There, while the 23rd Psalm was intoned by the prison chaplain, a hood was placed over his head, a noose tightened around his neck and the long hood. At 12:19 AM he was positioned exactly on the wooden platform and then the hangman, paid six hundred dollars for his effort, pulled a lever opening a small trap door, Hickock falling straight down until the rope snapped taut breaking his neck.  A doctor present for this official purpose took 22 minutes to pronounce Hickock dead, after his heart stopped beating. Perry Smith grave next to Hickock's, Mount Muncie Cemetery, also a replacement, original now in the archives of the Kansas Historical Society Smith was next, driven to the gallows and arriving a little after 1 AM.  In Capote’s book, he is supposed to have issued an apology but his last official words actually were: “I think it is a hell of a thing that a life has to be taken in this manner.  I say this especially because there’s a great deal I could have offered society.  I think capital punishment is legally and morally wrong.  Any apology for what I have done would be meaningless at this time.  I don’t have any animosities toward anyone involved in this matter.  I think that is all.  Then Smith ascended the steps to the gallows, underwent the same process as Hickock, dropped through the trap door at 1:07 AM and was pronounced dead 12 minutes later. Capote, 1980, four years before his death. Capote’s fall from grace was so complete that he exiled himself to California and published only fragments and short pieces, Answered Prayers remaining unfinished.  In August of 1984, having not published anything of substance for almost twenty years and while apparently living at the home of his newest best friend Joanne Carson, talk show host Johnny’s second wife, Capote died of liver cancer.  Gore Vidal, who successfully sued Capote over accusations of drunkenness at the White House and also famously claimed that Capote’s voice was audible only to dogs called it a good career move.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1850Fri, 30 Sep 2022 03:21:11 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn November 14, 1959, two petty criminals, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith, crossed Kansas, murdered the Clutter family in the tiny hamlet of Holcomb, Kansas and unwittingly enabled a New York City writer named Truman Capote to achieve immortality for...The stolen license plate spotted by Las Vegas police that led to Smith and Hickock's arrest. This arrest was most likely the result of the efforts of KBI investigator Harold Nye, who, in the interim after the Wells revelation, had traveled to Las Vegas to question individuals who might have encountered Perry Smith while Smith stayed in the city prior to returning to Kansas.  Nye also met extensively with members of the Las Vegas Police department and impressed upon them that Smith especially was known to frequent the city and that Smith and Hickock’s apprehension was extremely important.  While the attentive Las Vegas patrolmen who spotted the stolen plate and vehicle deserve credit, most likely they were focused as a result of information transmitted throughout the department, the result of Harold Nye’s diligence. Reproduction of the bloodstain from Smith's boot and the boot itself, on display with the license plate, Finney County Sheriff's Department exhibit. Hickock and Smith, not wanting to drag a lot of miscellaneous items with them when they returned from Mexico and had to resort to hitchhiking, mailed a box to Post Office General Delivery in Las Vegas containing, among other things, the boots they wore the night they killed the Clutters.  Their arrest occurred only a few minutes later and had the police nabbed them sooner these critical items that physically linked them to the murder scene might never have been recovered. Replacement gravestone, Dick Hickock, Mount Muncie Cemetery, original purchased by Truman Capote was stolen and is now in the custody of Kansas State Historical Society archives but not publicly displayed out of deference to the Clutter family. Hickock went first although no one was really sure how that was decided, perhaps alphabetically.  He made a brief statement; “I don’t have any hard feelings.  You’re sending me to a better place.” He then thanked the KBI agents for being there and was helped by guards up the thirteen steps of the gallows.  There, while the 23rd Psalm was intoned by the prison chaplain, a hood was placed over his head, a noose tightened around his neck and the long hood. At 12:19 AM he was positioned exactly on the wooden platform and then the hangman, paid six hundred dollars for his effort, pulled a lever opening a small trap door, Hickock falling straight down until the rope snapped taut breaking his neck.  A doctor present for this official purpose took 22 minutes to pronounce Hickock dead, after his heart stopped beating. Perry Smith grave next to Hickock's, Mount Muncie Cemetery, also a replacement, original now in the archives of the Kansas Historical Society Smith was next, driven to the gallows and arriving a little after 1 AM.  In Capote’s book, he is supposed to have issued an apology but his last official words actually were: “I think it is a hell of a thing that a life has to be taken in this manner.  I say this especially because there’s a great deal I could have offered society.  I think capital punishment is legally and morally wrong.  Any apology for what I have done would be meaningless at this time.  I don’t have any...]]>2165falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/operation-anthropoid-and-the-assassination-of-reinhard-heydrich-part-one--69653631Himmler and Heydrich, Vienna, 1938 Nazi lore has it that Heinrich Himmler, appointed in 1929 as the head of the newly formed SS, was intent on developing a unit consigned with obtaining and organizing intelligence on both internal party members and external individuals of political and social interest, essentially an elite domestic spying apparatus.  Heydrich’s dossier was given to Himmler by a Von Osten connection and the Reichsfuhrer was impressed enough to summon the former officer to headquarters in Munich.  However, at the last minute the interview was cancelled, a development that Heydrich and Lina perceived as a sign that he had been eliminated from consideration.  Heydrich, encouraged by Lina, decided to keep the appointment anyway and when he got to Munich, managed to wangle a 20 minute interview.  As it turned out, the appointment was cancelled merely because of Himmler not feeling well and he was doubly irritated by having to deal with an official matter during his illness.  Initially resolved to quickly dispense with this annoyance, the Reichsfuhrer brusquely informed the candidate that he had twenty minutes to describe how Heydrich would organize a potential internal party intelligence agency.  It probably did not hurt that the six foot, blonde haired, blue eyed candidate exactly fit the Aryan physical prototype of the perfect SS man.  Himmler was so surprised and impressed by Heydrich’s thoughtful and detailed response that he hired him on the spot.  Reinhard Heydrich, 27 years old, was now the head of what eventually became known as the Sicherheitsdienst or SD, literally, in English, the Security Service. Heydrich as a Naval Cadet Reporting to the German naval port city of Kiel, Heydrich quickly was perceived as an outsider, especially when he showed up for training with a violin.  This possession differentiated him from his lower class compatriots as pompous and even effeminate.  His high-pitched voice, tall, gawky demeanor and lack of self confidence did little to endear him to his fellow cadets, another native of his hometown did him no favors by repeating the rumor that he was actually Jewish.  A lesser individual might have crumbled under this type of adversity but instead Heydrich thrived on his loner status, becoming technically proficient in wireless operations and passing language exams in French, Russian and English.  He completed his initial training, received promotions and excelled in athletic competitions that included fencing, horse riding and even membership in the naval pentathlon team.  Heydrich’s naval career progressed positively during the twenties and resulted in a promotion to sub-lieutenant, an officer’s rank. Edvard Benes, President of Czechoslovakia To maintain his personal profile and also the national relevance and autonomy of his organization, Eduard Benes resolved that some bold and decisive action must be undertaken, even if it was symbolic, to reassert, even conceptually, the existence of the Czech resistance.  He also hoped that the operation was so bold as to serve as a catalyst for a massive uprising of the Czech population. This concept precipitated the specific plot to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, code named Anthropoid. Jan Kubis Secret commando agents had parachuted into the former Czechoslovakia already, with very limited success.  Most were rounded up and executed after only a few weeks of operation.  But these agents came from an ongoing initiative, assisted by the British Special Operations Executive, to continue to infiltrate Czech operatives into the Protectorate.  From this operation two commandos were selected, Josef Gabcik and Jan Kubis, for the specific purpose of killing both Heydrich and Karl Herman Frank. Martin Gabcik It was not until December 28, 1941, that the British Air Command provided a long-range Halifax bomber to transport all nine of the Czech agents to three separate drop zones.  The flight, with sixteen men total, including crew, and a full load of fuel did not allow for any evasive maneuvers in the event of detection, but the bomber made it across France and Germany without incident.  Unfortunately, short summer nights meant that the darkness necessary for such an operation was only possible in the dead of winter.  Thus, freshly fallen snow removed any opportunity to note landmarks identifying appropriate drop zones, nevertheless Gabcik and Kubis went out first the other two teams jumping shortly thereafter. Karl Hermann Frank Heydrich used information provided by Karl Herman Frank, another Nazi official in the Protectorate administration, to aid in this process.  Frank believed that should Von Neurath be pushed aside, he would be appointed as the replacement.  On September 21, 1941, all interested parties met at Hitler’s East Prussian bunker headquarters to discuss this situation.  First, Frank met with Hitler to enumerate issues and complaints concerning Von Neurath and even was afforded the privilege of eating lunch with the Fuhrer. Kurt Daluege and Himmler, Poland Karl Herman Frank was again denied a promotion, the SS General Kurt Daluege was appointed as temporary Reichsprotector.  Himmler sent his personal physician to take charge of Heydrich’s treatment, Goebbels wrote in his diary that “such an attack could set a precedent if we do not counter it with the most brutal means.” The turn where the assassination took place, 1942]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1826Wed, 24 Aug 2022 04:34:39 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1942, the Czech government in exile decided to parachute two commandos into the former Czechoslovakia to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, considered the most brutal and sinister Nazi in Occupied Europe.  Code named Operation Anthropoid, this suicide...Himmler and Heydrich, Vienna, 1938 Nazi lore has it that Heinrich Himmler, appointed in 1929 as the head of the newly formed SS, was intent on developing a unit consigned with obtaining and organizing intelligence on both internal party members and external individuals of political and social interest, essentially an elite domestic spying apparatus.  Heydrich’s dossier was given to Himmler by a Von Osten connection and the Reichsfuhrer was impressed enough to summon the former officer to headquarters in Munich.  However, at the last minute the interview was cancelled, a development that Heydrich and Lina perceived as a sign that he had been eliminated from consideration.  Heydrich, encouraged by Lina, decided to keep the appointment anyway and when he got to Munich, managed to wangle a 20 minute interview.  As it turned out, the appointment was cancelled merely because of Himmler not feeling well and he was doubly irritated by having to deal with an official matter during his illness.  Initially resolved to quickly dispense with this annoyance, the Reichsfuhrer brusquely informed the candidate that he had twenty minutes to describe how Heydrich would organize a potential internal party intelligence agency.  It probably did not hurt that the six foot, blonde haired, blue eyed candidate exactly fit the Aryan physical prototype of the perfect SS man.  Himmler was so surprised and impressed by Heydrich’s thoughtful and detailed response that he hired him on the spot.  Reinhard Heydrich, 27 years old, was now the head of what eventually became known as the Sicherheitsdienst or SD, literally, in English, the Security Service. Heydrich as a Naval Cadet Reporting to the German naval port city of Kiel, Heydrich quickly was perceived as an outsider, especially when he showed up for training with a violin.  This possession differentiated him from his lower class compatriots as pompous and even effeminate.  His high-pitched voice, tall, gawky demeanor and lack of self confidence did little to endear him to his fellow cadets, another native of his hometown did him no favors by repeating the rumor that he was actually Jewish.  A lesser individual might have crumbled under this type of adversity but instead Heydrich thrived on his loner status, becoming technically proficient in wireless operations and passing language exams in French, Russian and English.  He completed his initial training, received promotions and excelled in athletic competitions that included fencing, horse riding and even membership in the naval pentathlon team.  Heydrich’s naval career progressed positively during the twenties and resulted in a promotion to sub-lieutenant, an officer’s rank. Edvard Benes, President of Czechoslovakia To maintain his personal profile and also the national relevance and autonomy of his organization, Eduard Benes resolved that some bold and decisive action must be undertaken, even if it was symbolic, to reassert, even conceptually, the existence of the Czech resistance.  He also hoped that the operation was so bold as to serve as a catalyst for a massive uprising of the Czech population. This concept precipitated the specific plot to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich, code named Anthropoid....]]>3065falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/operation-anthropoid-and-the-assassination-of-reinhard-heydrich-part-two--69653589On the evening of June 26, 1942, Heydrich hosted a concert featuring classical music composed by his father. Twelve hours later he would be fighting for his life after one of the two parachutists successfully detonated an anti-tank grenade near his limousine. Heydrich's convertible Mercedes-Benz limousine after the commando attack. But Kubas had also approached the car, undetected and he hurled the grenade towards the open interior of the vehicle.  He missed badly, the device skittering against the rear right tire and exploding against the side and undercarriage of the Mercedes.  Although inaccurate, the blast was intense enough to shatter the tram’s windows and send shrapnel into a group of passengers exiting the streetcar. St. Cyril and Thelonius Cathedral, where the commandos made their final stand against overwhelming Nazi force. It is not known where exactly Kubis and Gabcik hid in the first days after the assassination.  But, understanding that it was only a matter of time before they would be located, Jan Zelensky arranged for seven of the fugitive commandos to be hidden in the expansive crypt of the Saint Cyril and Methodius Cathedral, Prague’s most prominent Czech Orthodox church. Heinz Pannwitz, Gestapo investigator Heinz Pannwitz, the local Gestapo official in charge of the investigation and manhunt decided that a change of strategy was in order.  He got Frank to agree to announce that an amnesty would be provided to any citizen who provided valuable information about the assassins, as long as this occurred before June 18.  If an arrest was not forthcoming by then, 30,000 Czechs would be detained and executed. Vent that led to the crypt at St. Cyril and Thelonius cathedral, bullet holes were made during the final standoff. The only other access was through a narrow opening leading to the exterior of the church, essentially for ventilation.  Not wanting to instigate another mass suicide, Pannwitz attempted to reason with the remaining commandos inside.  Announcements via loudspeaker blared that the defenders would be treated as POW’s if they surrendered.  Petrek, and even Karol Curda, was sent up to the narrow opening, hoping to induce a peaceful conclusion.  Upon hearing Curda’s voice, one of the defenders let loose with gunshots and yelled that they would never surrender.  Pannwitz then tried having the city fire department flood the crypt, jamming large fire houses down the vent and releasing hundreds of gallons of water a minute as well as tear gas into the crypt, to no avail.  The hoses were pushed out by the defenders, who also hurled Molotov cocktails at the firemen. Horst Bohme, ranking officer at Lidice, with Karl Hermann Frank and Himmler. The ranking officer on the scene in charge of the Lidice massacre, Horst Bohme, disappeared at the end of the war and was declared legally dead in 1954, most likely a suicide. Lidice, after initial German demolition. Even before Heydrich’s state funeral in Berlin concluded, on the evening of June 9, upon hearing the details of Lidice’s defiance, Hitler ordered the village to be completely destroyed.  At 9:30 at night, the village was sealed off, men over the age of fifteen were separated from the town’s women and children, and in groups of ten were placed against a wall and shot.  At midday on the tenth, all 173 men were dead.  They were buried in a mass grave dug by concentration camp inhabitants from Theriesiensdtadt.  203 women were placed on an armed transport to the women’s concentration camp facility at Ravensbruck.  Although brutal, this was not an extermination camp, 143 of these deportees survived their imprisonment.  As many as 105 children were detained, the exact number unclear based on their ultimate fates.  Only a handful of these victims were determined to be suitable for “Germanization,” several eventually murdered in German orphanages.  The rest were consigned to the Chelmno extermination camp.  Only seventeen made it home after the war. Lidice memorial to the child victims of the Nazi massacre.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1815Wed, 24 Aug 2022 04:10:41 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1942, the Czech government in exile decided to parachute two commandos into the former Czechoslovakia to assassinate  Reinhard Heydrich, considered the most brutal and sinister Nazi in Occupied Europe.  Code named Operation Anthropoid, this suicide...On the evening of June 26, 1942, Heydrich hosted a concert featuring classical music composed by his father. Twelve hours later he would be fighting for his life after one of the two parachutists successfully detonated an anti-tank grenade near his limousine. Heydrich's convertible Mercedes-Benz limousine after the commando attack. But Kubas had also approached the car, undetected and he hurled the grenade towards the open interior of the vehicle.  He missed badly, the device skittering against the rear right tire and exploding against the side and undercarriage of the Mercedes.  Although inaccurate, the blast was intense enough to shatter the tram’s windows and send shrapnel into a group of passengers exiting the streetcar. St. Cyril and Thelonius Cathedral, where the commandos made their final stand against overwhelming Nazi force. It is not known where exactly Kubis and Gabcik hid in the first days after the assassination.  But, understanding that it was only a matter of time before they would be located, Jan Zelensky arranged for seven of the fugitive commandos to be hidden in the expansive crypt of the Saint Cyril and Methodius Cathedral, Prague’s most prominent Czech Orthodox church. Heinz Pannwitz, Gestapo investigator Heinz Pannwitz, the local Gestapo official in charge of the investigation and manhunt decided that a change of strategy was in order.  He got Frank to agree to announce that an amnesty would be provided to any citizen who provided valuable information about the assassins, as long as this occurred before June 18.  If an arrest was not forthcoming by then, 30,000 Czechs would be detained and executed. Vent that led to the crypt at St. Cyril and Thelonius cathedral, bullet holes were made during the final standoff. The only other access was through a narrow opening leading to the exterior of the church, essentially for ventilation.  Not wanting to instigate another mass suicide, Pannwitz attempted to reason with the remaining commandos inside.  Announcements via loudspeaker blared that the defenders would be treated as POW’s if they surrendered.  Petrek, and even Karol Curda, was sent up to the narrow opening, hoping to induce a peaceful conclusion.  Upon hearing Curda’s voice, one of the defenders let loose with gunshots and yelled that they would never surrender.  Pannwitz then tried having the city fire department flood the crypt, jamming large fire houses down the vent and releasing hundreds of gallons of water a minute as well as tear gas into the crypt, to no avail.  The hoses were pushed out by the defenders, who also hurled Molotov cocktails at the firemen. Horst Bohme, ranking officer at Lidice, with Karl Hermann Frank and Himmler. The ranking officer on the scene in charge of the Lidice massacre, Horst Bohme,...]]>2029falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/kempton-bunton-and-the-theft-of-goya-s-portrait-of-the-duke-of-wellington-part-one--69653606Kempton Bunton, 1965 Bunton’s mother named him Kempton Cannon Bunton after a British jockey, Kempton Cannon, who won the Epsom Derby only days before her son’s birth, June 14, 1904, a victory she financially backed.  When asked about his unusual name, Bunton also always replied, “It’s Kempton as in Kempton Park racecourse,” as if to underscore his interest in such an edgy activity. Francisco De Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley, the First Duke of Wellington, became one of the most prominent military and political leaders of the British Empire during the first half of the nineteenth century.  Despite spending approximately fifteen years in military posts that included the Netherlands and especially India, Wellesley remained an obscure commanding officer until his 1808 assignment to the Peninsula War, an extended conflict on the Iberian Peninsula combating Napoleonic occupation.  This grueling struggle, combined with Napoleon’s disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia, depleted French military strength, and lead to France’s eventual capitulation.  One of the key moments of the Peninsula War occurred when Wellesley, then the Earl of Wellington, achieved a decisive victory at Salamanca, which lead to the liberation of the capital, Madrid and the flight to Valencia of Joseph Bonaparte, titular king of Spain, and brother of Napoleon Bonaparte.  The Earl entered the capital on August 12, 1812, at the head of his troops, the British hailed as liberators by Madrid’s grateful inhabitants. The Peninsula War dragged on laboriously until 1814 and the final collapse and abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte, but after Salamanca, Madrid was never reoccupied by French forces. Francisco De Goya             As a celebrity, Wellington, in the capital, crossed paths with Francisco de Goya, the Spanish Court Painter and a prominent member of official society in his own right.  Goya was able to get the British commander to sit for a sketch and two other eventual paintings, an equestrian study and a remarkable portrait of Wellington, in scarlet uniform, festooned with numerous colorful decorations and a remarkably lifelike expression.  Over time, as the historical prominence of both men grew, this portrait achieved a special stature denoting the interaction of one of Europe’s greatest artists with one of the continent’s most accomplished statesman and military leaders, a truly rare collaboration. Britain's National Gallery, London The initial controversy and subsequent national retention of such a uniquely British artifact generated massive publicity and anticipation when it was announced that the painting would be placed on display at London’s National Gallery, beginning August 2, 1961.  For two and a half weeks, crowds averaging well over five thousand patrons daily, an unusual increase over the normal number of the museum’s visitors, flocked to see the newly acquired painting.  To accentuate the stature of and to insure maximum accessibility for the throng of visitors eager to see the portrait, Goya’s Duke of Wellington was displayed on a portable easel, not in one of the museum’s rooms with other paintings but by itself, in a common area, in the North Vestibule of the Gallery.  It also was loosely secured on the easel to allow for immediate removal in the event of fire or some other calamity.  Then, on August 21, the painting vanished.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1805Mon, 01 Aug 2022 02:29:27 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1961, an unemployed cab driver, Kempton Bunton, pulled off one of the most remarkable art thefts of the 20th century.  Or did he? Kempton Bunton, 1965 Bunton’s mother named him Kempton Cannon Bunton after a British jockey, Kempton Cannon, who won...Kempton Bunton, 1965 Bunton’s mother named him Kempton Cannon Bunton after a British jockey, Kempton Cannon, who won the Epsom Derby only days before her son’s birth, June 14, 1904, a victory she financially backed.  When asked about his unusual name, Bunton also always replied, “It’s Kempton as in Kempton Park racecourse,” as if to underscore his interest in such an edgy activity. Francisco De Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley, the First Duke of Wellington, became one of the most prominent military and political leaders of the British Empire during the first half of the nineteenth century.  Despite spending approximately fifteen years in military posts that included the Netherlands and especially India, Wellesley remained an obscure commanding officer until his 1808 assignment to the Peninsula War, an extended conflict on the Iberian Peninsula combating Napoleonic occupation.  This grueling struggle, combined with Napoleon’s disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia, depleted French military strength, and lead to France’s eventual capitulation.  One of the key moments of the Peninsula War occurred when Wellesley, then the Earl of Wellington, achieved a decisive victory at Salamanca, which lead to the liberation of the capital, Madrid and the flight to Valencia of Joseph Bonaparte, titular king of Spain, and brother of Napoleon Bonaparte.  The Earl entered the capital on August 12, 1812, at the head of his troops, the British hailed as liberators by Madrid’s grateful inhabitants. The Peninsula War dragged on laboriously until 1814 and the final collapse and abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte, but after Salamanca, Madrid was never reoccupied by French forces. Francisco De Goya             As a celebrity, Wellington, in the capital, crossed paths with Francisco de Goya, the Spanish Court Painter and a prominent member of official society in his own right.  Goya was able to get the British commander to sit for a sketch and two other eventual paintings, an equestrian study and a remarkable portrait of Wellington, in scarlet uniform, festooned with numerous colorful decorations and a remarkably lifelike expression.  Over time, as the historical prominence of both men grew, this portrait achieved a special stature denoting the interaction of one of Europe’s greatest artists with one of the continent’s most accomplished statesman and military leaders, a truly rare collaboration. Britain's National Gallery, London The initial controversy and subsequent national retention of such a uniquely British artifact generated massive publicity and anticipation when it was announced that the painting would be placed on display at London’s National Gallery, beginning August 2, 1961.  For two and a half weeks, crowds averaging well over five thousand patrons daily, an unusual increase over the normal number of the museum’s visitors, flocked to see the newly acquired painting.  To accentuate the stature of and to insure maximum accessibility for the throng of visitors eager to see the portrait, Goya’s Duke of Wellington was displayed on a portable easel, not in one of the museum’s rooms with other paintings but by itself, in a common area, in the North Vestibule of the Gallery.  It also was loosely secured on the easel to allow for...]]>2155falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/kempton-bunton-and-the-theft-of-goya-s-portrait-of-the-duke-of-wellington-part-two--69653622Kempton Bunton, entering court in 1965 Although Bunton was initially only charged with one count of larceny, the prosecution submitted an indictment that was much more severe.  He was now charged with two counts of larceny, one for the painting, one for the frame, that was never recovered, and one charge of menacing for submitting letters to Lord Robbins demanding money.  In addition, he was charged with creating a public nuisance by depriving citizens of their right to see the painting and with additional menacing, implying the potential threat to permanently keep or even destroy the artwork in his letter to the Mirrror.  Breaking out the frame and the portrait theft charges separately and prosecuting Bunton for inconveniencing the public, certainly seemed like a case of overcharging, however the prosecution might have been concerned about a jury’s reaction to an oddball like Bunton, especially where charity was supposedly involved and they may have wished to underline the gravity of the offence. London's Old Bailey On November 4, 1965, in the Central Criminal Court, Kempton Bunton’s trial began before Judge Carl Aarvold, a distinguished jurist eventually knighted for his public service.  The court was known by its nickname, Old Bailey, the site of numerous famous and sensational court cases involving many famous defendants.  Its marble floors, ornate décor and fine wooden walls evoked the image of a British courtroom popularized throughout the world in film and television. Lobby of Old Bailey Although Bunton was initially only charged with one count of larceny, the prosecution submitted an indictment that was much more severe.  He was now charged with two counts of larceny, one for the painting, one for the frame, that was never recovered, and one charge of menacing for submitting letters to Lord Robbins demanding money.  In addition, he was charged with creating a public nuisance by depriving citizens of their right to see the painting and with additional menacing, implying the potential threat to permanently keep or even destroy the artwork in his letter to the Mirrror.  Breaking out the frame and the portrait theft charges separately and prosecuting Bunton for inconveniencing the public, certainly seemed like a case of overcharging, however the prosecution might have been concerned about a jury’s reaction to an oddball like Bunton, especially where charity was supposedly involved and they may have wished to underline the gravity of the offence. Courtroom Number One, Old Bailey Kempton Bunton had a spontaneous manner of testifying that incorporated unintentionally hilarious comments that convulsed the entire courtroom, including the judge, with raucous laughter.  When asked if he had ever told his wife about the theft, Bunton replied emphatically and without hesitation, “No, then the whole world would know, if I told her.” When Cussen attempted to challenge Bunton’s assertion that he always intended to return the Goya, Bunton was practically exasperated, “Absolutely, it was no good to me otherwise. I wouldn’t hang it in my own kitchen if it was my own picture,” the comment again bringing down the house, an unemployed cab driver deriding one of the art world’s most esteemed paintings.  Again and again, Bunton’s oddball demeanor and ability to stonewall the prosecution not allowing Cussen to portray him in a diabolical light.    ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1796Mon, 01 Aug 2022 02:16:50 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1961, an unemployed cab driver, Kempton Bunton, pulled off one of the most remarkable art thefts of the 20th century.  Or did he? Kempton Bunton, entering court in 1965 Although Bunton was initially only charged with one count of larceny, the...Kempton Bunton, entering court in 1965 Although Bunton was initially only charged with one count of larceny, the prosecution submitted an indictment that was much more severe.  He was now charged with two counts of larceny, one for the painting, one for the frame, that was never recovered, and one charge of menacing for submitting letters to Lord Robbins demanding money.  In addition, he was charged with creating a public nuisance by depriving citizens of their right to see the painting and with additional menacing, implying the potential threat to permanently keep or even destroy the artwork in his letter to the Mirrror.  Breaking out the frame and the portrait theft charges separately and prosecuting Bunton for inconveniencing the public, certainly seemed like a case of overcharging, however the prosecution might have been concerned about a jury’s reaction to an oddball like Bunton, especially where charity was supposedly involved and they may have wished to underline the gravity of the offence. London's Old Bailey On November 4, 1965, in the Central Criminal Court, Kempton Bunton’s trial began before Judge Carl Aarvold, a distinguished jurist eventually knighted for his public service.  The court was known by its nickname, Old Bailey, the site of numerous famous and sensational court cases involving many famous defendants.  Its marble floors, ornate décor and fine wooden walls evoked the image of a British courtroom popularized throughout the world in film and television. Lobby of Old Bailey Although Bunton was initially only charged with one count of larceny, the prosecution submitted an indictment that was much more severe.  He was now charged with two counts of larceny, one for the painting, one for the frame, that was never recovered, and one charge of menacing for submitting letters to Lord Robbins demanding money.  In addition, he was charged with creating a public nuisance by depriving citizens of their right to see the painting and with additional menacing, implying the potential threat to permanently keep or even destroy the artwork in his letter to the Mirrror.  Breaking out the frame and the portrait theft charges separately and prosecuting Bunton for inconveniencing the public, certainly seemed like a case of overcharging, however the prosecution might have been concerned about a jury’s reaction to an oddball like Bunton, especially where charity was supposedly involved and they may have wished to underline the gravity of the offence. Courtroom Number One, Old Bailey Kempton Bunton had a spontaneous manner of testifying that incorporated unintentionally hilarious comments that convulsed the entire courtroom, including the judge, with raucous laughter.  When asked if he had ever told his wife about the theft, Bunton replied emphatically and without hesitation, “No, then the whole world would know, if I told her.” When Cussen attempted to challenge Bunton’s assertion that he always intended to return the Goya, Bunton was practically exasperated, “Absolutely, it was no good to me otherwise. I wouldn’t hang it in my own kitchen if it was my own picture,” the comment again bringing down the house, an unemployed cab driver deriding one of the art world’s most esteemed paintings.  Again and...]]>3187falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/al-capone-the-real-scarface-part-one--69653553Al Capone as a child with his mother On January 17, 1899, Alphonse Gabriel Capone became the fourth child born into this family, and the second native American.  Including the two born in Italy, the Capone family later consisted of nine children, eight surviving into adulthood.  Al’s father was a barber by trade, eventually moving the family to a better home that also contained his shop.  His father, unlike his mother, was literate and spoke English.  Although relatively poor, the Capones seemed like just another ordinary, hard working couple putting their children through school and looking to make their way in the new world.  There was nothing to indicate mental instability or dysfunction that eventually produced a remarkably anti-social progeny. Johnny Torrio From a young age, Donato “Johnny” Torrio was focused on organizing criminal activities involving gambling and loan sharking that he operated from behind a legitimate business, a neighborhood pool hall.  Although not flamboyant, Torrio, born in Montepeloso, Italy, was a sharp operator who allied himself with Manhattan’s Five Points Gang and quickly began to branch out into more malevolent criminal activity involving prostitution, extortion and even narcotics.  Torrio also kept a close eye on the neighborhood, always eager to find teenagers that he could depend on to run errands and generally handle tasks without asking too many questions. James "Big Jim" Colosimo This change was prompted by Johnny Torrio, by now himself relocated to Chicago and the brains behind the racketeering organization operated by James (Big Jim) Colosimo, a rags to riches gangster and restaurateur, who covertly ran a huge vice operation that dealt especially in brothels and prostitution.  His Colosimo’s Café was one of the most popular and opulent restaurants in the city and Colosimo, sporting diamonds, wearing a white suit, tall and certainly carrying more than a few extra pounds was a literally larger than life figure.  Torrio was the perfectly reserved and concealed manager who paid attention to day to day operations while Colosimo spent most of his time partying and taking advantage of his proximity to a large stable of obliging females. Dean O'Banion Warned by his gang buddies to stop provoking Torrio, O’Banion famously responded, “To hell with the Sicilians,” evincing a bravado that was recklessly foolhardy.  Because, O’Banion was a heavyweight gangland figure with strong connections, the Outfit tread carefully but methodically forward.  O’Banion also had a lucrative florist business that focused especially on the elaborate floral designs necessitated by any number of gangland deaths in Chicago.  The shop was directly across from the Holy Name Cathedral, an immense downtown Chicago Catholic church and location that generated even more business.  O’Banion actually supervised the business personally and was usually on the premises.  On November 10, 1924, three men entered the store, ostensibly to pick up a sizable order.  Exactly who these men were has always been the subject of rumor, but the best guess revolves around Frankie Yale, who O’Banion would not have suspected and two other men, John Scalise and Albert Anselmi, two individuals who eventually became the most feared hitmen in the Outfit but at that time were unknown, recent emigres from Sicily.  While Frankie Yale firmly shook hands with O’Banion, both Scalise and Anselmi shot him in the chest, throat and a final coup de grace to the head.  Other employees in the rear of the store fled out of the back door.  O’Banion’s funeral was as lavish as any Chicago had ever seen, the funeral procession to the cemetery a mile long.  Capone and Torrio and many other enemies were in attendance, for them the occasion as much of a celebration as anything else.  They presumed that O’Banion’s north side territory would now be there’s to keep. George "Bugs" Moran, 1946, mug shot for Dayton bank robbery, long after his Chicago glory days Although Bugs Moran escaped injury, his gang was essentially neutralized and in the early thirties he left Chicago altogether.  He resumed his life as a petty criminal, engaging in crimes involving forgery and bank robbery.  Once one of the wealthiest criminals in Chicago, he died penniless, of cancer in 1957, in Leavenworth Prison, while serving a ten year sentence for bank robbery, and is buried in the prison cemetery in an unmarked grave. Thompson Submachine Gun, with circular drum Ironically purchased while he was on an extended visit to Colorado, Dean O’Banion was the first Chicago criminal to recognize the potential of the Thompson submachine in conducting gang warfare.  The gun was invented in 1916, the result of the First World War, but it never really caught on and subsequent peacetime efforts to sell the weapon to police departments were met with failure.  But the relatively light weight automatic that could fire numerous bullets from a round drum was perfect for shooting up buildings and automobiles, accuracy no longer necessary for the rapid fire of dozens of bullets sprayed in the general direction of a target.  Although O’Banion didn’t live long enough to ever use the gun itself, in January of 1925, Weiss, Drucci and Moran did use a submachine gun in an attempt to kill Al Capone.  The gangster traveled around Chicago in a large recognizable Cadillac, figuring his bodyguards would handle any typical attack.  This particular attempt failed, the parked limousine sized car containing only Capone’s chauffeur and his bodyguards, Al safely inside a nearby restaurant.  But the incident impressed the Outfit enough to secure their own Thompsons, a development that eventually became relevant to Hymie Weiss in a major way. Al Capone's Miami house, 2013 Al Capone made himself highly visible in Miami before and after St. Valentine’s Day, commenting when he heard Bugs Moran’s accusation that actually only Moran killed like that.  Although Jack McGurn was eventually arrested for the crime, he was released for lack of evidence, McGurn having carefully and also visibly checked into a hotel with his attractive girlfriend, Louise Rolfe.   Known thereafter as the “Blonde Alibi,” Rolfe and  McGurn eventually got married so that she could never be forced to testify against her husband.  Although several witnesses were able to identify Fred Killer Burke, he was already a fugitive and eluded police by fleeing to a rural part of Missouri.  No one was ever prosecuted for the St. Valentines Day Massacre. Capone family house, Chicago South Side By mid-1922, Al Capone was earning enough money to move his wife, son, widowed mother and even some of his still teenaged siblings to Chicago.  He installed these members of the Capone clan in a South Side suburban house, far from the areas in Chicago that generated his income.  While he occasionally holed up elsewhere, he would own this home for the rest of his time as a Chicago resident.  And initially, Al’s life in Chicago in the early twenties was relatively peaceful, with the various criminal factions respecting each other’s territories, assuming that there was a big enough racketeering pie for everybody to prosper.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1599Wed, 13 Jul 2022 23:04:12 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1929, Al Capone was worth an inflation adjusted 1.5 billion dollars. Al Capone as a child with his mother On January 17, 1899, Alphonse Gabriel Capone became the fourth child born into this family, and the second native American.  Including the two...Al Capone as a child with his mother On January 17, 1899, Alphonse Gabriel Capone became the fourth child born into this family, and the second native American.  Including the two born in Italy, the Capone family later consisted of nine children, eight surviving into adulthood.  Al’s father was a barber by trade, eventually moving the family to a better home that also contained his shop.  His father, unlike his mother, was literate and spoke English.  Although relatively poor, the Capones seemed like just another ordinary, hard working couple putting their children through school and looking to make their way in the new world.  There was nothing to indicate mental instability or dysfunction that eventually produced a remarkably anti-social progeny. Johnny Torrio From a young age, Donato “Johnny” Torrio was focused on organizing criminal activities involving gambling and loan sharking that he operated from behind a legitimate business, a neighborhood pool hall.  Although not flamboyant, Torrio, born in Montepeloso, Italy, was a sharp operator who allied himself with Manhattan’s Five Points Gang and quickly began to branch out into more malevolent criminal activity involving prostitution, extortion and even narcotics.  Torrio also kept a close eye on the neighborhood, always eager to find teenagers that he could depend on to run errands and generally handle tasks without asking too many questions. James "Big Jim" Colosimo This change was prompted by Johnny Torrio, by now himself relocated to Chicago and the brains behind the racketeering organization operated by James (Big Jim) Colosimo, a rags to riches gangster and restaurateur, who covertly ran a huge vice operation that dealt especially in brothels and prostitution.  His Colosimo’s Café was one of the most popular and opulent restaurants in the city and Colosimo, sporting diamonds, wearing a white suit, tall and certainly carrying more than a few extra pounds was a literally larger than life figure.  Torrio was the perfectly reserved and concealed manager who paid attention to day to day operations while Colosimo spent most of his time partying and taking advantage of his proximity to a large stable of obliging females. Dean O'Banion Warned by his gang buddies to stop provoking Torrio, O’Banion famously responded, “To hell with the Sicilians,” evincing a bravado that was recklessly foolhardy.  Because, O’Banion was a heavyweight gangland figure with strong connections, the Outfit tread carefully but methodically forward.  O’Banion also had a lucrative florist business that focused especially on the elaborate floral designs necessitated by any number of gangland deaths in Chicago.  The shop was directly across from the Holy Name Cathedral, an immense downtown Chicago Catholic church and location that generated even more business.  O’Banion actually supervised the business personally and was usually on the premises.  On November 10, 1924, three men entered the store, ostensibly to pick up a sizable order.  Exactly who these men were has always been the subject of rumor, but the best guess revolves around Frankie Yale, who O’Banion would not have suspected and two other men, John Scalise and Albert Anselmi, two individuals who eventually became the most feared hitmen in the Outfit but at that time were unknown, recent emigres from...]]>2532falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/al-capone-the-real-scarface-part-two--69653641Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Chicago. Most speakeasies and night clubs serving illicit alcohol provided entertainment in some form, mostly jazz or a vocalist with a band.  One of these entertainers named Joe E. Lewis was a regular performer at the Green Mill, a club that was owned by the Outfit.  As compensation, Al Capone gave Jack McGurn a piece of the club’s profits and when McGurn found out that Lewis was not going to renew his contract and was going to earn more money at the Rendezvous, a North Side Gang operation, he confronted the singer-comedian and told him he couldn’t leave. Joe E. Lewis Lewis brushed him off, said his contract was up and that was that.  He actually performed at the Rendezvous for a week, protected by a bodyguard who accompanied him to and from his hotel residence.  Lewis then decided he didn’t need protection, that McGurn had only been trying to scare him.  On November 9, 1927, seven days after he opened at his new club, three men showed up at Lewis’ Commonwealth Hotel room, burst in on the sleepy Lewis when he opened the door and pistol whipped him into unconsciousness.  Then one assailant took a large knife to Lewis’ throat and mouth and even cut off part of the singer’s tongue.  Although they could have merely shot the defiant entertainer, the thugs instead sent a terrible message to Lewis and any other performer who attempted to assert such independence.  Joe E. Lewis managed to crawl into the hallway and was quickly taken to a hospital where he underwent extensive but successful surgery.  He recovered but eventually became a stand-up comedian, his voice now a bullfrog like croak, no longer able to belt out night club standards.  Ironically, most likely to counter the public outcry over the incident, Al Capone actually went out of his way to patch things up, claiming to Lewis personally that he knew nothing about the attack and that Joe should have come to him personally if he had a problem.  Capone also got him back to the Green Mill, equaling his deal at the Rendezvous, and gave Lewis winning tips at dog and horse races controlled by the Outfit.  Lewis’ career continued successfully well into the sixties, and a biographical film starring Frank Sinatra called the Joker Is Wild was produced in 1957, reiterating Lewis’ terrible ordeal and recovery. Al Capone, Philadelphia mug shot after firearms arrest While this investigation proceeded laboriously, in mid-1929, a curious incident occurred which only added to the mysterious lore surrounding Al Capone.  In mid-May of 1929, Capone traveled to Atlantic City to participate in what became known as the Atlantic City Conference.  Organized by Meyer Lansky, this gathering included almost all of American organized crime including Capone, Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello and many other gangsters from all over the US.  The meeting was the first attempt by the American underworld to set up a national organization to oversee and make decisions to divide territory and adjudicate disputes without violence.  Another underlying issue was a resolve to minimize the attention that Al Capone was generating, involving both the type of violence that occurred with the St. Valentines Day Massacre and Capone himself, who routinely sought out positive media coverage and made himself publicly prominent to the point of celebrity, behavior that created hostility from other prominent underworld figures who abhorred attention of any kind.  Following the conference, which concluded on May 16, Capone intended to return to Chicago by train via Philadelphia.  With some time on his hands, he and a bodyguard went to a movie and when the film ended, upon leaving the theater, both men were arrested, searched and found in possession of a firearm, in Capone’s case a .38 caliber revolver. Capone, Time Magazine, 1930 .  But his respite was brief, In late April, the Chicago Crime Commission, a watch-dog collection of businessmen with no legal standing issued a list of the 14 most prominent Public enemies in the city.  Headlines about this list screamed over the front pages of every American newspaper and when Capone attempted to lie low in Miami, he was continually arrested there as a public nuisance, harassment that he eventually successfully fought in court. Al Capone, mug shot, Atlanta Federal Penitentiary Al Capone’s legal good fortune ran out on October 18 when the jury returned with a verdict of guilty.  Six days later Capone received a sentence of eleven years, the longest sentence ever imposed for tax evasion.  By comparison, Nitti and Guzik received 18 months and five years respectively.  Although he would appeal, Capone was confined in the Cook County Jail until May 2, 1932, when the Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear his case.  Immediately, the Federal government prepared to send him not to Leavenworth , where Nitti and Guzik languished, but to the penitentiary in Atlanta, the system’s harshest.  He began serving his sentence on May 4. Alcatraz Island and former Federal prison On August 19, 1934 Al Capone was placed on another train with 42 other prisoners, a train that was very different from his ride to Atlanta on the Dixie Flyer where he interacted with other civilians and played cards.  It was armored with bulletproof plating, its windows barred, the Atlanta prison warden and numerous heavily armed guards along for the ride.  The occupants were not told of their destination, but rumors had swirled for months about a new federal prison, even harsher than Atlanta, an escape proof dungeon on an island in San Francisco Bay.  It was called Alcatraz. Alcatraz, Prisoner Number 85 Because of his notoriety, his propensity for braggadocio about past criminal exploits and his constant demands from the warden for special treatment, Al Capone was not a popular inmate.  In fact, on June 26, 1936, another inmate stabbed him with the detachable blade of a pair of barber shears, which Capone survived. Al Capone, Terminal Island Finally, unwillingly to merely release Capone before his time, the Bureau of Prisons allowed his transfer to Terminal Island, in San Pedro, California on January 6, 1939.  By now, Capone’s mental capacity was utterly diminished, his conversation peppered with the mention of celebrities. exploits and future plans that were utterly delusional.  Neither the Capone family or the Federal government wanted the spectacle of a public release of Al Capone.  Government doctors recommended that the family consign Capone to the care of members of the medical staff at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, the leading specialists in the nation on the treatment of neurosyphilis.  Capone was secretly transferred to the penitentiary at Lewisburg, PA and then officially released on November 16, 1939. Machine Gun Jack McGurn grave, Chicago It took longer, but the demise of Jack McGurn was perhaps the most illustrative example of how quickly Capone’s power diminished.  McGurn was always considered a braggart and a hothead, and with Capone gone, Frank Nitti had no use for him, McGurn too recognizable as a hitman.  For a while McGurn tried to hustle a living as a golf pro, hanging out at a mobbed up Chicago golf course of which he was a part owner.  By 1936, still married to Louise Rolfe, McGurn was broke, hadn’t killed anyone in years and was rumored to have threatened Frank Nitti if Capone’s successor didn’t let him back into the rackets.  On February 14, 1936, seven years to the day after the infamous massacre he allegedly planned, Jack McGurn was bowling with two buddies, a regular Friday night outing.  Shortly after midnight, three gunmen burst into the bowling alley and methodically shot him fatally in the head and back.  Although technically, February 15, earlier on Valentine’s Day, someone knowing that McGurn would be at the bowling alley, left him an inscribed Valentine with a drawing of a couple, apparently in need of cash, standing gloomily with a For Sale sign next to their worldly goods.  The printed message inside read: “You’ve lost your job; you’ve lost your dough; Your jewels and cars and handsome houses! But things could still be worse, you know… At least you haven’t lost your trousas!”]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1588Wed, 13 Jul 2022 22:50:32 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1929, Al Capone was worth an inflation adjusted 1.5 Billion Dollars. Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Chicago. Most speakeasies and night clubs serving illicit alcohol provided entertainment in some form, mostly jazz or a vocalist with a band.  One of...Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Chicago. Most speakeasies and night clubs serving illicit alcohol provided entertainment in some form, mostly jazz or a vocalist with a band.  One of these entertainers named Joe E. Lewis was a regular performer at the Green Mill, a club that was owned by the Outfit.  As compensation, Al Capone gave Jack McGurn a piece of the club’s profits and when McGurn found out that Lewis was not going to renew his contract and was going to earn more money at the Rendezvous, a North Side Gang operation, he confronted the singer-comedian and told him he couldn’t leave. Joe E. Lewis Lewis brushed him off, said his contract was up and that was that.  He actually performed at the Rendezvous for a week, protected by a bodyguard who accompanied him to and from his hotel residence.  Lewis then decided he didn’t need protection, that McGurn had only been trying to scare him.  On November 9, 1927, seven days after he opened at his new club, three men showed up at Lewis’ Commonwealth Hotel room, burst in on the sleepy Lewis when he opened the door and pistol whipped him into unconsciousness.  Then one assailant took a large knife to Lewis’ throat and mouth and even cut off part of the singer’s tongue.  Although they could have merely shot the defiant entertainer, the thugs instead sent a terrible message to Lewis and any other performer who attempted to assert such independence.  Joe E. Lewis managed to crawl into the hallway and was quickly taken to a hospital where he underwent extensive but successful surgery.  He recovered but eventually became a stand-up comedian, his voice now a bullfrog like croak, no longer able to belt out night club standards.  Ironically, most likely to counter the public outcry over the incident, Al Capone actually went out of his way to patch things up, claiming to Lewis personally that he knew nothing about the attack and that Joe should have come to him personally if he had a problem.  Capone also got him back to the Green Mill, equaling his deal at the Rendezvous, and gave Lewis winning tips at dog and horse races controlled by the Outfit.  Lewis’ career continued successfully well into the sixties, and a biographical film starring Frank Sinatra called the Joker Is Wild was produced in 1957, reiterating Lewis’ terrible ordeal and recovery. Al Capone, Philadelphia mug shot after firearms arrest While this investigation proceeded laboriously, in mid-1929, a curious incident occurred which only added to the mysterious lore surrounding Al Capone.  In mid-May of 1929, Capone traveled to Atlantic City to participate in what became known as the Atlantic City Conference.  Organized by Meyer Lansky, this gathering included almost all of American organized crime including Capone, Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello and many other gangsters from all over the US.  The meeting was the first attempt by the American underworld to set up a national organization to oversee and make decisions to divide territory and adjudicate disputes without violence.  Another underlying issue was a resolve to minimize the attention that Al Capone was generating, involving both the type of violence that occurred with the St. Valentines Day Massacre and Capone himself, who routinely sought out positive media coverage and made himself publicly prominent to the point of celebrity, behavior that created hostility from other prominent underworld figures who abhorred attention of any kind.  Following the conference, which...]]>2449falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/buddy-holly-and-the-day-the-music-died-part-one--69653619Buddy Holly, early Brunswick Records publicity photo Charles Hardin Holley was born in Lubbock, Texas on September 7, 1936.  The “e” in his surname would be dropped when Decca Records misspelled Holley on one of his first recording contracts.  Nicknamed Buddy by his mother, as she considered “Charles,” too formal, he was the youngest of four siblings.  The family was Baptist and deeply religious, attending church routinely but singing hymns from an early age probably developed Buddy’s interest in music.  Despite Lubbock’s location in the heart of the bible belt, Holly was also intrigued by country and rhythm and blues popular tunes that were available via radio stations from larger midwestern radio stations.  By the seventh grade, he was playing with another junior high school student, Bob Montgomery, in a duet called Buddy and Bob, mostly country music covers of artists like Hank Williams. Norman Petty Studios, Clovis, New Mexico 1957 began with Buddy getting a predictable release from his Decca contract.  If you were out of Lubbock, Texas in 1957 and had just been dropped from a major label there wasn’t much of a Plan B.  The best Buddy could come up with was heading to Clovis, New Mexico and the Norman Petty Studio to pay for his own demo and hope to interest a regional industry professional, in this case Norman Petty, in getting interested in representing Holly.  Norman Petty was one of the many small time independents that operated on the fringes of 1950’s rock and roll.  Less successful than the legendary Sam Phillips of Memphis’ Sun records who discovered Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, Petty still had a reputation for recognizing performers that he plugged either to record companies or radio stations.  But in early 1957, he also was still looking to get involved with talent that would translate into national success.  That’s why, when Buddy Holly returned to Petty’s studio in January of 1957 and cut a demo, Norman recognized that Holly had greatly evolved.  He told Buddy to get some more material together, polish it up and come back in February and they would seriously concentrate on developing a single, exactly the result Holly was looking for.  When he returned to Clovis on February 24, Buddy not only had three other backing musicians, Larry Welborn, Jerry Allison and Niki Sullivan, he also had Gary and Ramona Tollett as backup singers.  Because Petty’s studio was close to a busy street with daytime noisy truck traffic, recording didn’t begin until after office hours. Petty wanted, “I’m Looking For someone To Love,” to be the “A” side of a single and when that was arduously completed over many hours, at 3 AM, it then took only four takes to record, “That’ll Be The Day.”  Subsequently, Norman Petty claimed to have greatly influenced this session, Gary Tollett maintained that Buddy already had the arrangements down and all Petty did was arrange the microphones.  Nevertheless, Petty then executed two of the more audacious moves in the history of Rock and Roll skullduggery.  The first revolved around songwriting and publishing credits.  Petty maintained that because he had provided the free use of his studio, had music connections in NY and was a known quantity in the business, his name should appear on the record as one of the songwriters.  A known quantity, he explained, is better than some unknown kids from West Texas.  He also offered to publish the music through his own Nor Va Jak publishing company, spinning this as a kind of business benefit, explaining that they wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.  He didn’t emphasize that this would entitle him to fifty per cent of the publishing revenues, only that this was how the business worked.  Buddy Holly was so thrilled that anyone would try to help him get somewhere that he didn’t give it a second thought. Ritchie Valens No Hollywood screenwriter would have attempted to put over the story of Valen’s overnight success at such a young age.  When a well connected LA music producer named Bob Keene got a tip that a precocious sixteen year old phenom was performing at a movie theater in the Valley, he decided to check out the youngster performing as Ritchie Valenzuela.  The teenager already had a following as the “Little Richard of the Valley,” and Keene signed him to a contract right away, promising to both help record and manage Ritchie’s career.  After rehearsing Ritchie in the basement studio of his Silver Lake home, in June of 1958, Keane booked a session at Gold Star Studios, to put together a single. From this emerged Ritchie’s first song, Come on, Let’s Go!” Keane was involved in producing Sam Cooke’s first hit, “You Send Me,” and although he was financially outmaneuvered by his then business partner, Keane was an astute industry professional.  He convinced Ritchie to change his professional name to Valens explaining that DJ’s wouldn’t play an obviously Latino artist on commercial pop radio.  He then met with the music director of KFWB, a personal friend, who made playlist decisions for the biggest radio station in Los Angeles.  Keene’s contact did not need much persuasion, within days of Ritchie’s first recording session, Come On, Let’s go was in the rotation at most Southern California radio stations.  It gradually become a nationally popular song and Keane, wanting to put together enough material to allow Ritchie to headline on tour, quickly rushed Valens back into the studio.  Having spent time driving the singer to various local shows in SoCal, Keane had heard Ritchie singing a Mexican folk song to himself on acoustic guitar, called La Bamba.  Ritchie’s manager was intent on doing something with the song, but Valens did not like the idea of exploiting a traditional Mexican folk tune in a rock and roll song.  Instead, in a repetition of how “Peggy Sue,” originated, Ritchie was intent on recording, “Donna,” a song about a high school classmate.  Donna Ludwig was an Anglo 16 teen year old whose father would not have approved of even a fifties teen age romance with a Latino.  She frequently took to climbing out of her bedroom window to meet Ritchie at local soda fountains and roller rinks.  In the studio, Keane compromised.  Ritchie would record both songs as A-Sides, giving him two shots at a potential hit.  By November Donna was steadily rising up the charts, it would be at #3 in early February of 1959.  By the time Ritchie Valens hit Chicago, he had dropped out of high school, bought his mother a house and was on the verge of banking over $100,000, heady stuff for a seventeen year old whose extended family previously subsisted on picking asparagus and plums in the yet undeveloped farmlands north of Los Angeles. Buddy with Crickets Jerry Allison and Joe B. Mauldin Holly was business savvy enough to remember and understand that his previous deal with Decca forbade him for five years to use any of the songs recorded during his tenure there.  That included, “That’ll be the Day.”  Petty’s second utterly brazen move to get around this was to suggest recording this with the name, as yet still undetermined, of a band.  A couple of days later, because of their familiarity with another group known as the Spiders, Holly and Jerry Allison started to consider other insect names, actually considering the Beetles with a double EE before settling on the Crickets. The Big Bopper aka JP Richardson JP Richardson, aka the Big Bopper, known chiefly for his top 40 novelty hit of the previous September, Chantilly Lace.  Richardson drew from his previous employment as a disc jockey, weaving comic dialog into an irrepressible melody while wearing a full length dyed leopard skin fur coat and white bucks, undoubtedly giving himself an interesting stage presence. Waylon Jennings, country superstar, mid-seventies. To fill out his backing band for the Winter Dance Party, Buddy convinced a Lubbock DJ and musician named Waylon Jennings to join as the bass player, despite Jennings having no bass experience.  Buddy hung out a lot at the DJ’s station, WLLL the most popular in Lubbock and liked Jennings, he told Waylon he would buy him a bass and teach him everything he would need to know before the tour started.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1464Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:41:43 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly was in the middle of the tour from hell and would do anything to avoid another three hundred mile, overnight bus ride that already had inflicted frostbite on another band member.  That determination changed American...Buddy Holly, early Brunswick Records publicity photo Charles Hardin Holley was born in Lubbock, Texas on September 7, 1936.  The “e” in his surname would be dropped when Decca Records misspelled Holley on one of his first recording contracts.  Nicknamed Buddy by his mother, as she considered “Charles,” too formal, he was the youngest of four siblings.  The family was Baptist and deeply religious, attending church routinely but singing hymns from an early age probably developed Buddy’s interest in music.  Despite Lubbock’s location in the heart of the bible belt, Holly was also intrigued by country and rhythm and blues popular tunes that were available via radio stations from larger midwestern radio stations.  By the seventh grade, he was playing with another junior high school student, Bob Montgomery, in a duet called Buddy and Bob, mostly country music covers of artists like Hank Williams. Norman Petty Studios, Clovis, New Mexico 1957 began with Buddy getting a predictable release from his Decca contract.  If you were out of Lubbock, Texas in 1957 and had just been dropped from a major label there wasn’t much of a Plan B.  The best Buddy could come up with was heading to Clovis, New Mexico and the Norman Petty Studio to pay for his own demo and hope to interest a regional industry professional, in this case Norman Petty, in getting interested in representing Holly.  Norman Petty was one of the many small time independents that operated on the fringes of 1950’s rock and roll.  Less successful than the legendary Sam Phillips of Memphis’ Sun records who discovered Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, Petty still had a reputation for recognizing performers that he plugged either to record companies or radio stations.  But in early 1957, he also was still looking to get involved with talent that would translate into national success.  That’s why, when Buddy Holly returned to Petty’s studio in January of 1957 and cut a demo, Norman recognized that Holly had greatly evolved.  He told Buddy to get some more material together, polish it up and come back in February and they would seriously concentrate on developing a single, exactly the result Holly was looking for.  When he returned to Clovis on February 24, Buddy not only had three other backing musicians, Larry Welborn, Jerry Allison and Niki Sullivan, he also had Gary and Ramona Tollett as backup singers.  Because Petty’s studio was close to a busy street with daytime noisy truck traffic, recording didn’t begin until after office hours. Petty wanted, “I’m Looking For someone To Love,” to be the “A” side of a single and when that was arduously completed over many hours, at 3 AM, it then took only four takes to record, “That’ll Be The Day.”  Subsequently, Norman Petty claimed to have greatly influenced this session, Gary Tollett maintained that Buddy already had the arrangements down and all Petty did was arrange the microphones.  Nevertheless, Petty then executed two of the more audacious moves in the history of Rock and Roll skullduggery.  The first revolved around songwriting and publishing credits.  Petty maintained that because he had provided the free use of his studio, had music connections in NY and was a known quantity in the business, his name should appear on the record as one of the songwriters.  A known quantity, he explained, is better than some unknown kids from West Texas.  He also offered to...]]>2778falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/buddy-holly-and-the-day-the-music-died-part-two--69653635Buddy Holly and Waylon Jennings in a NY photo booth. In mid-January, when the three band members got to NY, Allsup and Bunch checked into a hotel, but Waylon Jennings stayed with Buddy and Maria.  Time was of the essence and Buddy figured he needed as much time as possible to get Waylon up to speed.  It was also during this time period that Maria informed Buddy that she was pregnant, news they kept even from Buddy’s parents. The Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake , Iowa After the equipment was offloaded, Buddy collared the Surf Ballroom’s manager Carroll Anderson and asked him about chartering a plane.  Anderson knew of an associate named Jerry Dwyer, who operated a flying service out of a small regional airport in nearby Mason City.  Dwyer was out at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, but Anderson was able to get a hold of a pilot who worked for Dwyer, 21 year old Roger Peterson, who immediately agreed to fly the charter.  During an intermission before Dion and the Belmonts and Buddy Holly finished the show, word began to spread among the musicians that Buddy was going to fly.  Initially, there were two seats on board and Holly figured that he would offer them to his two band members, Jennings and Allsup.  But once the Big Bopper found out about the charter, he approached Jennings and asked if he could take his spot, as long as Buddy said it was okay.  Waylon Jennings knew that JP Richardson was quite sick and he was also a headliner so he agreed to give up his seat.  When Holly heard that Jennings had bailed on the flight, he figured Jennings was just too scared to fly.  Laughing at his bass guitarist, he said, “I hope your bus freezes up!,” Jennings responded without thinking.  “I hope your plane crashes,” a comment he would both keep private and feel guilty about for many subsequent years. The wreckage of Buddy Holly's plane, February 3, 1959 None of the nearby farmers noticed anything unusual until Cerro Gordo county sheriff deputies pulled up to the farm of Albert Juhl, who opened the gate to his property and watched as the two policeman rapidly headed west, quickly able to see the wreckage of the plane in the distance, lodged where it came to a stop against a barbed wire fence separating the Juhl farm from some adjoining properties.  As they pulled up to the scene, the body of the pilot was visible in the wreckage, and what was eventually identified as the bodies of Valens and Buddy Holly were within twenty feet of the plane’s remains.  JP Richardson was hurled from the crash over the barbed wire fence, lying forty feet away as small amounts of snow were swirled around the bodies and the wreckage, Buddy Holly's grave, Lubbock, Texas Back in Mason City, Buddy Holly’s brother arrived to pick up his brother’s body and take it back for burial in Lubbock, visiting the crash site before the plane wreckage was hauled off to a hangar at the airport. Ritchie Valens grave, San Fernando, California Valens was put on a train to Southern California.  By the weekend, funerals were conducted for all four of the deceased, family members and fans still in a state of shock. Crash site today, Clear Lake, Iowa The site of the crash is now a makeshift shrine and pilgrimage site despite the fact that it is situated on private property.  Alfred Juhl sold his land in the early sixties to another local family, the Nicholas’. Over time they have erected a simple memorial to the musicians, as well as Roger Peterson on the exact spot along the fence line where the plane came to a halt.  To guide those interested in finding the spot they have erected a sculpture on the highway resembling Buddy’s horn rimmed glasses, marking the path that leads to the site.  Every year they purposely do not plant corn or soybeans on the path or in the vicinity of the markers, encouraging visitors to access this remarkable spot at no charge.  And from the very first days after the crash, locals have noticed that people do come to the site, first just a trickle from the region but today, over sixty years later, by the thousands from all over the world,]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1455Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:19:54 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly was in the middle of the tour from hell and would do anything to avoid another three hundred mile, overnight bus ride that already had inflicted frostbite on another band member.  That determination changed American...Buddy Holly and Waylon Jennings in a NY photo booth. In mid-January, when the three band members got to NY, Allsup and Bunch checked into a hotel, but Waylon Jennings stayed with Buddy and Maria.  Time was of the essence and Buddy figured he needed as much time as possible to get Waylon up to speed.  It was also during this time period that Maria informed Buddy that she was pregnant, news they kept even from Buddy’s parents. The Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake , Iowa After the equipment was offloaded, Buddy collared the Surf Ballroom’s manager Carroll Anderson and asked him about chartering a plane.  Anderson knew of an associate named Jerry Dwyer, who operated a flying service out of a small regional airport in nearby Mason City.  Dwyer was out at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, but Anderson was able to get a hold of a pilot who worked for Dwyer, 21 year old Roger Peterson, who immediately agreed to fly the charter.  During an intermission before Dion and the Belmonts and Buddy Holly finished the show, word began to spread among the musicians that Buddy was going to fly.  Initially, there were two seats on board and Holly figured that he would offer them to his two band members, Jennings and Allsup.  But once the Big Bopper found out about the charter, he approached Jennings and asked if he could take his spot, as long as Buddy said it was okay.  Waylon Jennings knew that JP Richardson was quite sick and he was also a headliner so he agreed to give up his seat.  When Holly heard that Jennings had bailed on the flight, he figured Jennings was just too scared to fly.  Laughing at his bass guitarist, he said, “I hope your bus freezes up!,” Jennings responded without thinking.  “I hope your plane crashes,” a comment he would both keep private and feel guilty about for many subsequent years. The wreckage of Buddy Holly's plane, February 3, 1959 None of the nearby farmers noticed anything unusual until Cerro Gordo county sheriff deputies pulled up to the farm of Albert Juhl, who opened the gate to his property and watched as the two policeman rapidly headed west, quickly able to see the wreckage of the plane in the distance, lodged where it came to a stop against a barbed wire fence separating the Juhl farm from some adjoining properties.  As they pulled up to the scene, the body of the pilot was visible in the wreckage, and what was eventually identified as the bodies of Valens and Buddy Holly were within twenty feet of the plane’s remains.  JP Richardson was hurled from the crash over the barbed wire fence, lying forty feet away as small amounts of snow were swirled around the bodies and the wreckage, Buddy Holly's grave, Lubbock, Texas Back in Mason City, Buddy Holly’s brother arrived to pick up his brother’s body and take it back for burial in Lubbock, visiting the crash site before the plane wreckage was hauled off to a hangar at the airport. Ritchie Valens grave, San Fernando, California Valens was put on a train to Southern California.  By the weekend,...]]>2591falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ted-kaczynski-aka-the-unabomber-part-one--69653645Ted's high school yearbook photo. As a youngster, Ted did develop a precocious interest in reading, math and science, his mother reading to him articles from Scientific American that he could comprehend by the time he was six.  He excelled in grade school but even at this young age was determined to avoid contact with others, usually spending time by himself in his room with the door shut, especially when visitors came to his home. Math Club in high school, second from left, standing. Kaczynski moved on to Evergreen Park Community High School.  On paper, he might have seemed to be the model student.  He joined the school band playing the trombone, and became a member of the math, coin, biology and German clubs.  Classmates described him as the smartest kid in his class.  But his inability to fit in socially and his self imposed isolation from any normal high school activities like sock hops and athletic events underlined his almost stereotypical profile as the quintessential nerd, complete with glasses, pencil pocket protector, slight physical stature, and painfully shy personality. With Ted, Sr. and David. Ted Kaczynski was born on May 22, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois.  His father, Theodore, Ted, Sr. spent much of his adult working life as a sausage maker in a factory owned by a relative. The 1994 composite that intrigued the nation. The most distinct aspect of this particular attack was that, for the first time, an eyewitness observed the Unabomber in the act.  An FBI sketch artist immediately put together a composite that was deemed unsatisfactory.  Then a freelance artist was hired to try again.  Both of these sketches were only used on a local Sacramento and very limited national basis, the FBI still insisting on not publicizing a potential serial bomber.  The secretary also continually maintained that the two original sketches did not really resemble the man she saw.  It would not be until 1994, when public awareness was already rampant and the FBI, still no closer to solving the case and knowing that the sketches they had were inaccurate, that a third sketch was developed and released, this time the much more familiar composite, which became a popular culture icon.  This rendition, by veteran criminal sketch artist Jeanne Boylan featured a hooded, grim looking man, with curly hair, a strong chin and very large, aviator sunglasses.  Her Unabomber would quickly become ubiquitous and greatly add to the criminal’s mystique.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1439Fri, 20 May 2022 08:20:00 +0000Philip D. GibbonsPossessing a 167 IQ, admitted to Harvard University at age 16, a uniquely talented mathematician, this former Berkeley college professor became the subject of the longest and most expensive investigation in FBI history. Ted's high school yearbook...Ted's high school yearbook photo. As a youngster, Ted did develop a precocious interest in reading, math and science, his mother reading to him articles from Scientific American that he could comprehend by the time he was six.  He excelled in grade school but even at this young age was determined to avoid contact with others, usually spending time by himself in his room with the door shut, especially when visitors came to his home. Math Club in high school, second from left, standing. Kaczynski moved on to Evergreen Park Community High School.  On paper, he might have seemed to be the model student.  He joined the school band playing the trombone, and became a member of the math, coin, biology and German clubs.  Classmates described him as the smartest kid in his class.  But his inability to fit in socially and his self imposed isolation from any normal high school activities like sock hops and athletic events underlined his almost stereotypical profile as the quintessential nerd, complete with glasses, pencil pocket protector, slight physical stature, and painfully shy personality. With Ted, Sr. and David. Ted Kaczynski was born on May 22, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois.  His father, Theodore, Ted, Sr. spent much of his adult working life as a sausage maker in a factory owned by a relative. The 1994 composite that intrigued the nation. The most distinct aspect of this particular attack was that, for the first time, an eyewitness observed the Unabomber in the act.  An FBI sketch artist immediately put together a composite that was deemed unsatisfactory.  Then a freelance artist was hired to try again.  Both of these sketches were only used on a local Sacramento and very limited national basis, the FBI still insisting on not publicizing a potential serial bomber.  The secretary also continually maintained that the two original sketches did not really resemble the man she saw.  It would not be until 1994, when public awareness was already rampant and the FBI, still no closer to solving the case and knowing that the sketches they had were inaccurate, that a third sketch was developed and released, this time the much more familiar composite, which became a popular culture icon.  This rendition, by veteran criminal sketch artist Jeanne Boylan featured a hooded, grim looking man, with curly hair, a strong chin and very large, aviator sunglasses.  Her Unabomber would quickly become ubiquitous and greatly add to the criminal’s mystique.]]>3205falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ted-kaczynski-aka-the-unabomber-part-two--69653640Kaczynski's drivers license. But Kaczynski had another motive for heading to Chicago.  Before he left Montana on a Greyhound bus, he constructed the first of his explosive devices.  He meant to send it to a professor at RPI, but when he got to Chicago in late May of 1978, the box wouldn’t fit in a mailbox so he merely left it at the University of Illinois-at Chicago in between two parked cars, the device eventually returned to the professor believed to have mailed via the professor’s presumed return address at Northwestern University.  But Kaczynski was disappointed when there was not any media mention of what happened with this device.  After leaving the device he showed up at his parents’ house without any specific notice. Unabomber wanted poster. Because a fatality finally occurred, the FBI would not have sole jurisdiction in the ensuing investigation.  The homicide division of the Sacramento police department also became involved but immediately found the situation frustrating.  Despite their belief that the more publicity about the bomber that was released to the public the better, the Sacramento police were told that, no, the FBI did not want to alert the Unabomber to the fact that they knew of his existence.  The local police felt that the FBI was more concerned with the fact that after ten years of bombings, the FBI had no idea who the perpetrator was.  The Bureau’s explanation was illogical in that by stamping FC on each bomb the killer was trying to let them know that he was responsible for numerous attacks.  This would not be the first FBI investigation that was driven as much by public relations as it was by criminal investigation.  Within weeks Sacramento homicide found themselves being excluded from meetings and ignored. Both they and the FBI got nowhere in trying to even begin to figure out who killed Hugh Scrutton. David Kaczynski as an adult. In Schenectady, in mid-1995, David Kaczynski was now the assistant director of the Equinox Youth Shelter, an institution that catered to teenagers.  In the summer of 1995, With the high profile of the Unabomber pervading popular media, his wife began suggesting that Ted might have something to do with the bombings.  She read that the FBI maintained that the Unabomber grew up in Chicago, spent time in Berkeley and had at least recently travelled to Salt Lake City.  Linda Patrik had never met Ted, but was aware of his extreme animosity towards her, had read his correspondence with David and had lengthy conversations with her husband, attempting to convince him that Ted was mentally ill.  At first he dismissed the notion, but, as much out of curiosity, he eventually got a hold of the manifesto to see if it resonated in any way.  At the same time, Linda got a copy of the initial portion of the manifesto online as the Union College library’s printed copies had been stolen.  After the pair read even a small part of the screed, they were both alarmed. Subsequently, unable to dismiss Ted as the perpetrator of these acts, David then went back and documented when he had sent Ted money for loans.  It turned out that the devices that killed Thomas Mosser and Gilbert Murray were sent within one month and three months respectively from when checks were sent to Ted. Kaczynski minutes after his arrest at a cabin rented by the FBI. Kaczynski had a habit of not letting strangers inside his cabin, usually stepping outside if necessary and shutting the door behind him.  This time, he did not even fully emerge but hesitated with the door open while Burns distracted him with conversation.  The Forest Service agent was close enough to grab him by the wrist and after a brief struggle all three men were able to get Kaczynski into handcuffs.  He was immediately conveyed to a nearby rented cabin and although talkative, refused to answer any questions about the Unabomber case. Mug shot. Ted Kaczynski was indicted by a grand jury in June of 1996, on ten counts concerning four of the bombings, including the fatal bombings of Hugh Scrutton, Tom Mosser and Gilbert Murray.  Because these bombs either exploded in or were sent from Sacramento, California, Ted was transported to Sacramento, where he would stand trial after being pronounced mentally fit. If convicted, Kaczynski was potentially subject to the death penalty an outcome that his two public defenders were desperate to avoid. Prison photo taken at Supermax Predictably, Ted Kaczynski, unlike most of his Florence counterparts, including Timothy McVeigh, Ramzi Youssef, Eric Rudolph, shoe bomber Richard Reid, and Zacarious Moussauai, almost seemed to flourish in his new environment.  His cell is small, but still larger than the freezing, soot filled shack that was home for 25 years.  He has published several book length collections of essays and commentary with the aid of University of Michigan-Dearborn philosophy professor David Skrbina.  His correspondence with over 400 individuals and materials relevant to his case was donated to the University of Michigan and is archived in a special collection.  Unlike the photographs at the time of his arrest, current official mugshots depict him as well groomed with a pleasant demeanor.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1431Fri, 20 May 2022 08:10:12 +0000Philip D. GibbonsPossessing a 167 IQ, admitted to Harvard University at age 16, a uniquely talented mathematician, this former Berkeley college professor became the subject of the longest and most expensive investigation in FBI history. Kaczynski's drivers license....Kaczynski's drivers license. But Kaczynski had another motive for heading to Chicago.  Before he left Montana on a Greyhound bus, he constructed the first of his explosive devices.  He meant to send it to a professor at RPI, but when he got to Chicago in late May of 1978, the box wouldn’t fit in a mailbox so he merely left it at the University of Illinois-at Chicago in between two parked cars, the device eventually returned to the professor believed to have mailed via the professor’s presumed return address at Northwestern University.  But Kaczynski was disappointed when there was not any media mention of what happened with this device.  After leaving the device he showed up at his parents’ house without any specific notice. Unabomber wanted poster. Because a fatality finally occurred, the FBI would not have sole jurisdiction in the ensuing investigation.  The homicide division of the Sacramento police department also became involved but immediately found the situation frustrating.  Despite their belief that the more publicity about the bomber that was released to the public the better, the Sacramento police were told that, no, the FBI did not want to alert the Unabomber to the fact that they knew of his existence.  The local police felt that the FBI was more concerned with the fact that after ten years of bombings, the FBI had no idea who the perpetrator was.  The Bureau’s explanation was illogical in that by stamping FC on each bomb the killer was trying to let them know that he was responsible for numerous attacks.  This would not be the first FBI investigation that was driven as much by public relations as it was by criminal investigation.  Within weeks Sacramento homicide found themselves being excluded from meetings and ignored. Both they and the FBI got nowhere in trying to even begin to figure out who killed Hugh Scrutton. David Kaczynski as an adult. In Schenectady, in mid-1995, David Kaczynski was now the assistant director of the Equinox Youth Shelter, an institution that catered to teenagers.  In the summer of 1995, With the high profile of the Unabomber pervading popular media, his wife began suggesting that Ted might have something to do with the bombings.  She read that the FBI maintained that the Unabomber grew up in Chicago, spent time in Berkeley and had at least recently travelled to Salt Lake City.  Linda Patrik had never met Ted, but was aware of his extreme animosity towards her, had read his correspondence with David and had lengthy conversations with her husband, attempting to convince him that Ted was mentally ill.  At first he dismissed the notion, but, as much out of curiosity, he eventually got a hold of the manifesto to see if it resonated in any way.  At the same time, Linda got a copy of the initial portion of the manifesto online as the Union College library’s printed copies had been stolen.  After the pair read even a small part of the screed, they were both alarmed. Subsequently, unable to dismiss Ted as the perpetrator of these acts, David then went back and documented when he had sent Ted money for loans.  It turned out that the devices that killed Thomas Mosser and Gilbert Murray were sent within one month and three months respectively from when checks were sent to Ted. 2784falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jesse-owens-hitler-s-olympic-nemesis-part-one--69653617Jesse Owens 1936 At the Penn Relays, he won the long jump and the 100 meter dash.  Unfortunately for Eulace Peacock, the sprinter completely tore his hamstring during a preliminary heat, an injury so severe that Peacock was unable to make the 1936 Olympic Games. Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe, Olympic trials, 1936 Owens qualified easily, winning the 100 and 200 meter sprint and the long jump competition at the Olympic trials at Randall’s Island.  His chief American competition came from Ralph Metcalfe in the 100 and Mack Robinson in the 200, Robinson the older brother of future Brooklyn Dodger, Jackie Robinson.  Eighteen black Americans qualified for the US Olympic team, two of them women, almost four times the number of African-American competitors at the 1932 Olympic games in Los Angeles. Jesse Owens wins 100 meters at Berlin. For a gold medal in the 100 meters, Jesse Owens would have to win four consecutive races, but the competition in Monday’s first two heats was minimal, several sprinters in the Big Ten much tougher competition.  Jesse cruised easily to victory, in the first heat by seven yards and the quarter finals by four yards, breaking his own world record in a time of 10.2 seconds.  While Owens victories were not a surprise, what was astonishing was the response of the crowd when his name was announced and after he crossed the tape in first place.  Anticipating that a German crowd politically attuned to the current Nazi master race theories would ignore or even vent hostility toward a Black American, instead the massive crowd roared their approval. Hitler enters Berlin Olympic Stadium Elsewhere in the stadium, Two German athletes were generating their own excitement.  Hans Woelke and Ottilie “Tilly” Fleischer won gold in the men’s shot put and women’s discus, respectively, the first track and field Olympic gold medals ever won by Germany.  Afterwards, they were summoned to Hitler’s personal box, where both were personally congratulated by Hitler and Hermann Goering.  Later in the afternoon, when three Finns swept the medals in the 10,000 meters distance race, they were also invited to Hitler’s box and congratulated. Hitler reviewing stand, Leni Riefenstahl visible to the right. But by the time the event concluded, and with the weather getting progressively colder with rain starting to fall, Adolf Hitler left the arena before the high jump medals ceremony and without a personal invitation to the black American Johnson.  This did not go unnoticed especially by the American press who focused the first day’s coverage on the perceived snub.  It also was noticed by Henri de Baillet-Latour, the President of the International Olympic Committee, who was hoping to lower the volume on politics and did not want Hitler to become the focal point of the current games.  He is said to have either forbidden Hitler to personally congratulate winners or to have told Hitler that he needed to congratulate every winner, regardless of race or country of origin.  The most popular interpretation is that Hitler, figuring that at least one black man, Jesse Owens was a shoe in to win at least one medal, then decided to stop publicly congratulating any of the winners. Jesse Owens and Luz Long after competition, 1936 Later that afternoon, at 4:30 he participated in the long jump semi-final that served to eliminate ten of the remaining sixteen competitors.  Both Owens and Luz Long broke the existing Olympic record, jumping well over 25 feet to the delight of the crowd and setting up a climactic final.  Owens faulted on his first jump of the finals and his German competitor regressed to 25 feet, four inches but on his second jump Long pressed Owens to the limit with a leap of 25 feet, 10 inches.  Owens responded like a true champion establishing a new Olympic record with a jump of 26 feet.  When Long faulted on his third and last try, Owens had won his second gold.  Not to leave anything on the table, his final attempt measured 26 feet, 5.5 inches another Olympic record.  Long was the first to congratulate him after the American landed in the sand, the crowd also roaring over this exceptional feat.  Together, the two athletes walked on the track arm in arm, in clear view of the spectators including Adolf Hitler. Luz Long behind Jesse Owens, Long Jump medals ceremony, 1936 But, after sharing this moment of sportsmanship, Long was conveyed to a private room under the stands where he was personally greeted and congratulated by Hitler and his entourage.  There would no such interaction by Hitler with Jesse Owens or any other black member of the American contingent.  Hitler did also privately meet and greet with Helen Stephens, the 18 year old American phenomenon who won the Womens 100 meters, underlining Hitler’s apparent desire to ignore any success on the part of Black Americans, even unofficially.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1416Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:27:42 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAdolf Hitler intended the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a coming out party for his Aryan Master Race.  African-American Jesse Owens crashed the venue by winning four gold medals. Jesse Owens 1936 At the Penn Relays, he won the long jump and the 100 meter...Jesse Owens 1936 At the Penn Relays, he won the long jump and the 100 meter dash.  Unfortunately for Eulace Peacock, the sprinter completely tore his hamstring during a preliminary heat, an injury so severe that Peacock was unable to make the 1936 Olympic Games. Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe, Olympic trials, 1936 Owens qualified easily, winning the 100 and 200 meter sprint and the long jump competition at the Olympic trials at Randall’s Island.  His chief American competition came from Ralph Metcalfe in the 100 and Mack Robinson in the 200, Robinson the older brother of future Brooklyn Dodger, Jackie Robinson.  Eighteen black Americans qualified for the US Olympic team, two of them women, almost four times the number of African-American competitors at the 1932 Olympic games in Los Angeles. Jesse Owens wins 100 meters at Berlin. For a gold medal in the 100 meters, Jesse Owens would have to win four consecutive races, but the competition in Monday’s first two heats was minimal, several sprinters in the Big Ten much tougher competition.  Jesse cruised easily to victory, in the first heat by seven yards and the quarter finals by four yards, breaking his own world record in a time of 10.2 seconds.  While Owens victories were not a surprise, what was astonishing was the response of the crowd when his name was announced and after he crossed the tape in first place.  Anticipating that a German crowd politically attuned to the current Nazi master race theories would ignore or even vent hostility toward a Black American, instead the massive crowd roared their approval. Hitler enters Berlin Olympic Stadium Elsewhere in the stadium, Two German athletes were generating their own excitement.  Hans Woelke and Ottilie “Tilly” Fleischer won gold in the men’s shot put and women’s discus, respectively, the first track and field Olympic gold medals ever won by Germany.  Afterwards, they were summoned to Hitler’s personal box, where both were personally congratulated by Hitler and Hermann Goering.  Later in the afternoon, when three Finns swept the medals in the 10,000 meters distance race, they were also invited to Hitler’s box and congratulated. Hitler reviewing stand, Leni Riefenstahl visible to the right. But by the time the event concluded, and with the weather getting progressively colder with rain starting to fall, Adolf Hitler left the arena before the high jump medals ceremony and without a personal invitation to the black American Johnson.  This did not go unnoticed especially by the American press who focused the first day’s coverage on the perceived snub.  It also was noticed by Henri de Baillet-Latour, the President of the International Olympic Committee, who was hoping to lower the volume on politics and did not want Hitler to become the focal point of the current games.  He is said to have either forbidden Hitler to personally congratulate winners or to have told Hitler that he needed to congratulate every winner, regardless of race or country of origin.  The most popular interpretation...]]>2231falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jesse-owens-hitler-s-olympic-nemesis-part-two--69653634Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympic Long Jump Owens then had to hustle to the long jump competition which also began at 10:30 AM.  Here he faced an athlete from Germany who was his first formidable foreign competition, a 22 year old German; Carl Ludwig “Luz” Long.  Long was the current German and European record holder, not quite Owens equal but certainly dangerous if Jesse should falter.  And, proving that he was human, Jesse did initially stumble during what should have been an easy qualification.  He was charged with his first of three jumps when he typically jogged on the runway and through the landing area just to get a feel for the surface.  This American warmup practice was unknown in Europe and despite even the head coach of the American track and field contingent getting into the face of the officials, the practice jump counted.  The incident seemed to rattle Owens, his second jump was only 23 feet, 3 inches, short of what he needed to qualify for the next round and more than three feet shorter than his own world record. Avery Brundage, 1941 Conversely, and fortunately from Nazi Germany’s perspective, the head of the American Olympic Committee, Avery Brundage, was adamantly opposed to any interference in American Olympic participation due to politics.  Brundage, a wealthy and dictatorial administrator, once famously stated that the Olympic Games belong to the athletes and not to the politicians.  He officially travelled to Germany to assess the situation and after a series of carefully choreographed interactions with German officials, he was able to convince the IOC to agree to US participation. Jesse Owens cottage used during 1936 Olympics today. Although he was due to run in the finals of the 200 meters on Wednesday, August 5, Jesse Owens tried to throttle back some of the intensity of the previous 48 hours.  He was already the biggest celebrity of the Olympic games and despite his attempt to sleep late on Wednesday morning, his brick guest house swarmed with fans and even athletes crowding around the windows trying to get a glimpse of the American track star. Jesse Owens publicity info for one of his clothing chain jobs Jesse would have to hustle for the next few years to make a living with more barnstorming tours and various promotional gigs associated with black clothing stores and dry cleaning establishments. With German Chancellor Willy Brandt at 1972 Olympics 1972 also brought another Olympics, this the ill-fated games at Munich which involved the terrorist murder of 11 Israeli Olympic athletes.  Despite this tragic event and in spite of some controversy over whether the games should continue they did and Jesse Owens got caught up in mediating another racially charged situation. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Mexico City protest, 1968. Jesse Owens travelled to the 1968 Olympics as a guest of the Mexican government, a consultant to the US Olympic Committee and a radio commentator for the Mutual broadcasting network.  Although Owens must have been astonished when long jumper Bob Beamon broke the existing world record by almost two feet, much more impactful was a coordinated protest by two black track athletes, Tommy Smith and John Carlos.  Winning gold and bronze respectively, in the 200 meters, while on the victory podium the two athletes raised their black gloved fists during the playing of the American national anthem.  While the protest caused a media sensation that reverberated around the world, it prompted great anger from the US Olympic committee and especially Avery Brundage, still the President of the IOC.  Owens was sent to meet with a group of athletes to attempt to mitigate the situation and possibly extract a face-saving apology before the IOC punished anyone.  He failed miserably to even get any white participants to leave the meeting, the consensus that they supported Smith and Carlos more than he did.  Sadly, the lengthy session deteriorated into anger and recriminations.  The next day the IOC kicked Carlos and Smith out of the Olympic Village and suspended them from Olympic competition.  When questioned as to why it was acceptable for Germans to use the Nazi salute on the victory stand, but that Smith and Carlos’ behavior was unacceptable, Avery Brundage actually replied that the Nazi salute was the accepted national salute in the country in that time period. Jerry Ford awarding the Medal of Freedom Jesse Owens spent the next eight years doing what he had done for some time, public speaking.  By now, he would enthrall audiences with yarns about being personally snubbed by Hitler and the help he received from Luz Long and other tales, occasionally admitting to particularly determined journalists that these stories were embroidered so that “people got to hear what they wanted to hear and I got paid for telling them.”  He received an honorary degree from Ohio State, awards from the NCAA, induction into the track and field Hall of Fame, the Medal of Freedom from President Gerald Ford and the Living Legends Award from President Jimmy Carter, Owens now perceived as a national treasure without any partisan stigma.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1407Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:06:30 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAdolf Hitler wanted the 1936 Berlin Olympics to be a coming out party for his Aryan Master Race.  Jesse Owens crashed the venue by winning four gold medals. Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympic Long Jump Owens then had to hustle to the long jump...Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympic Long Jump Owens then had to hustle to the long jump competition which also began at 10:30 AM.  Here he faced an athlete from Germany who was his first formidable foreign competition, a 22 year old German; Carl Ludwig “Luz” Long.  Long was the current German and European record holder, not quite Owens equal but certainly dangerous if Jesse should falter.  And, proving that he was human, Jesse did initially stumble during what should have been an easy qualification.  He was charged with his first of three jumps when he typically jogged on the runway and through the landing area just to get a feel for the surface.  This American warmup practice was unknown in Europe and despite even the head coach of the American track and field contingent getting into the face of the officials, the practice jump counted.  The incident seemed to rattle Owens, his second jump was only 23 feet, 3 inches, short of what he needed to qualify for the next round and more than three feet shorter than his own world record. Avery Brundage, 1941 Conversely, and fortunately from Nazi Germany’s perspective, the head of the American Olympic Committee, Avery Brundage, was adamantly opposed to any interference in American Olympic participation due to politics.  Brundage, a wealthy and dictatorial administrator, once famously stated that the Olympic Games belong to the athletes and not to the politicians.  He officially travelled to Germany to assess the situation and after a series of carefully choreographed interactions with German officials, he was able to convince the IOC to agree to US participation. Jesse Owens cottage used during 1936 Olympics today. Although he was due to run in the finals of the 200 meters on Wednesday, August 5, Jesse Owens tried to throttle back some of the intensity of the previous 48 hours.  He was already the biggest celebrity of the Olympic games and despite his attempt to sleep late on Wednesday morning, his brick guest house swarmed with fans and even athletes crowding around the windows trying to get a glimpse of the American track star. Jesse Owens publicity info for one of his clothing chain jobs Jesse would have to hustle for the next few years to make a living with more barnstorming tours and various promotional gigs associated with black clothing stores and dry cleaning establishments. With German Chancellor Willy Brandt at 1972 Olympics 1972 also brought another Olympics, this the ill-fated games at Munich which involved the terrorist murder of 11 Israeli Olympic athletes.  Despite this tragic event and in spite of some controversy over whether the games should continue they did and Jesse Owens got caught up in mediating another racially charged situation. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Mexico City protest, 1968. Jesse Owens travelled to the 1968 Olympics as a guest of the Mexican government, a consultant to the US Olympic Committee and a radio commentator...]]>2469falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/pancho-villa-and-the-mexican-revolution-part-one--69653636Pancho Villa on horseback. Like the history of Mexico itself, Villa’s early life and biography is obscured or disputed.  Much of the information about Pancho Villa came from his own self-serving autobiography or biased journalism and glorifying newsreels from the time period.  What is generally accepted is that Villa was born Doroteo Arango to a sharecropper father and domestic mother on June 5, 1878, in San Juan Del Rio, in the Mexican state of Durango. Porfirio Diaz In 1910, Mexican President Porfirio Diaz was re-elected to his seventh term as the political leader of the Mexican government.  Diaz had served as President for 30 of the previous 34 years, so politically powerful that this entire time period is referred to historically as the Porfiriato.  Although Mexico’s economy experienced expansion and prosperity during Diaz’s reign, much of the increased international trade, railroad construction and economic infrastructure was financed with European and American capital and benefited foreign entities and individuals and a small group of Mexican elites to the detriment of most of the Mexican population, who barely survived in squalor and deprivation. Huerta and Orozco Madero had no choice but to employ the reactionary general Victoriano Huerta as the head of the column that headed north to Chihuahua to challenge Orozco.  He also personally requested that Villa join the general to oppose Orozco, an overture that Villa accepted.  In command of 4800 federales, General Huerta accepted Villa’s men into his fighting force strictly out of necessity, considering Villa a glorified bandit. Villa and Zapata, with giant sombrero. Pancho Villa chose this window of opportunity to march his army within a few miles of Mexico City, pausing only to meet personally with Zapata.  On December 4, 1914, at Xochimilco, one of the more remarkable meetings in Mexican history occurred when the two men met and came to an agreement as to carving up territory and future military strategy.  Two days later, both men’s armies entered the capital, Villa providing Zapata’s forces with weapons and artillery.  Obregon had already declared his opposition to Villa and after assassinating some of his longtime political enemies, Pancho decided to leave attacking Veracruz to Zapata and headed North, to consolidate his power in the region. Villa, with some of his troops Because Carranza had support throughout the country, Villa was forced to defend territory that he previously controlled.  Both Villa and Zapata abandoned Mexico City, which was then immediately occupied by Obregon.  The Carrancistas took everything of value and added more recruits from the poorest sectors of the city, the only alternative within the looted capital was starvation.  Villa focused on a long term offensive with an objective of pushing all of the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Francisco Madero Francisco Madero was elected President of Mexico in October of 1911, Diaz having left the country for exile in France.  But the united hostility that combined many elements of a rebellion against the Porfiriato now focused their antagonism on Madero.  For his part, Pancho Villa was relatively inactive during this time period.  He was now amnestied from any possible political or criminal prosecution, had a substantial group of armed supporters to insure his security and looked forward to enjoying a period of relative solitude.  Unfortunately, Mexico’s political atmosphere remained chaotic.  In the South, rebels under the command of Zapata continued to seize territory and property, especially when it was clear that land reform was not imminent.  Madero was forced to use the national army to stabilize the situation and achieve at least a stalemate.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1394Thu, 17 Mar 2022 04:06:33 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOf the many political figures involved in Mexico's 1910 Revolution, Pancho Villa remains the most famous and charismatic. Pancho Villa on horseback. Like the history of Mexico itself, Villa’s early life and biography is obscured or disputed.  Much of...Pancho Villa on horseback. Like the history of Mexico itself, Villa’s early life and biography is obscured or disputed.  Much of the information about Pancho Villa came from his own self-serving autobiography or biased journalism and glorifying newsreels from the time period.  What is generally accepted is that Villa was born Doroteo Arango to a sharecropper father and domestic mother on June 5, 1878, in San Juan Del Rio, in the Mexican state of Durango. Porfirio Diaz In 1910, Mexican President Porfirio Diaz was re-elected to his seventh term as the political leader of the Mexican government.  Diaz had served as President for 30 of the previous 34 years, so politically powerful that this entire time period is referred to historically as the Porfiriato.  Although Mexico’s economy experienced expansion and prosperity during Diaz’s reign, much of the increased international trade, railroad construction and economic infrastructure was financed with European and American capital and benefited foreign entities and individuals and a small group of Mexican elites to the detriment of most of the Mexican population, who barely survived in squalor and deprivation. Huerta and Orozco Madero had no choice but to employ the reactionary general Victoriano Huerta as the head of the column that headed north to Chihuahua to challenge Orozco.  He also personally requested that Villa join the general to oppose Orozco, an overture that Villa accepted.  In command of 4800 federales, General Huerta accepted Villa’s men into his fighting force strictly out of necessity, considering Villa a glorified bandit. Villa and Zapata, with giant sombrero. Pancho Villa chose this window of opportunity to march his army within a few miles of Mexico City, pausing only to meet personally with Zapata.  On December 4, 1914, at Xochimilco, one of the more remarkable meetings in Mexican history occurred when the two men met and came to an agreement as to carving up territory and future military strategy.  Two days later, both men’s armies entered the capital, Villa providing Zapata’s forces with weapons and artillery.  Obregon had already declared his opposition to Villa and after assassinating some of his longtime political enemies, Pancho decided to leave attacking Veracruz to Zapata and headed North, to consolidate his power in the region. Villa, with some of his troops Because Carranza had support throughout the country, Villa was forced to defend territory that he previously controlled.  Both Villa and Zapata abandoned Mexico City, which was then immediately occupied by Obregon.  The Carrancistas took everything of value and added more recruits from the poorest sectors of the city, the only alternative within the looted capital was starvation.  Villa focused on a long term offensive with an objective of pushing all of the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Francisco Madero Francisco Madero was elected President of Mexico in October of 1911, Diaz having left the country for exile in France. ...]]>2627falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/pancho-villa-and-the-mexican-revolution-part-two--69653643Felipe Angeles Villa formally requested that Felipe Angeles be permitted to officially join Villa’s military staff. Angeles was a traditional army officer with an expertise in artillery.  He served during the Diaz government but was in France when the revolution broke out.  Ultimately, he decided that the populist concepts of the revolution were more to his liking and felt Villa best embodied these ideas. John "Black Jack" Pershing, in Mexico Public outrage over Villa's Columbus, New Mexico attack prompted Woodrow Wilson to launch a rapidly deployed military expedition under the leadership of the commandant of Fort Bliss, Texas and experienced Apache antagonist, John “Black Jack” Pershing.  Commanding six thousand men, split into two separate columns, Pershing crossed the border, without the permission or even cooperation of the Carranza government, which was sensitive to any American incursion.  Fleeing south, Villa, attacked any appropriate smaller targets along the way but suffered a serious leg wound at Guerrero on March 28.  Pershing’s force quickly located the Villistas and successfully attacked Guerrero but Villa escaped into the mountains where he hid for six weeks, recovering from his gunshot injury.  Although Villa was no longer popular in Mexico, the American expedition was considered an invasion and an incident at Hidalgo Parral in which several American soldiers and numerous Mexicans were killed prompted an agreement between the two governments that the Pershing expedition would gradually withdraw Alvaro Obregon Although at the height of his military effectiveness and power, Pancho Villa was now confronted with fundamental logistical issues.  Although the path to the capital was wide open, Carranza ordered the cut off of any resupply, especially of coal which limited the rebel general’s railway mobility.  Foreign hostility caught up to Villa personally when the Wilson administration tailored an arms embargo designed specifically for the Villistas.  Any attempt to patch up an agreement between Carranza and Villa failed and it became clear that Pancho would never make it to Mexico City before another general, loyal to Carranza, Alvaro Obregon.  Obregon, approaching initially from the western state of Jalisco, marched unopposed into Mexico City on August 18, 1914.  Carranza joined him two days later.  Villa had no choice but to retreat northward back to the state of Chihuahua to regroup, resupply and recruit more soldiers. Columbus, New Mexico Post Office after the Villa attack. On January 19, 1916 a group of Villistas stopped a train heading to Chihuahua City, from the United States.  They executed 17 American employees, an act that outraged US citizens living in the towns on the Mexican border.  Although Villa denied involvement, officially the Carranza government apologized to the Wilson administration and vowed to bring the murderers and Villa to justice.  One of the formerly most powerful political forces in Mexico was now a mere criminal.  Villa’s response was even more audacious.  He proceeded to cross the border near the tiny and isolated town of Columbus, New Mexico.  At one in the morning, a firefight broke out between the Villistas and the US soldiers stationed in the town.  The Mexican rebels looted the local general store and destroyed a hotel but after some initial confusion, US cavalry and even local townspeople organized a response that drove the invaders out of the town.  As dawn broke, the cavalry chased Villa fifteen miles into Mexico before breaking off the counterattack. The Columbus attack killed eight soldiers and ten civilians and wounded several others.  Although he was able to seize some nominal amounts of weapons and livestock, Villa never even explained much less justified this wanton and foolhardy provocation.  Luz Corral, Mrs. Pancho Villa One wife, Luz Corral, who he married legally in 1911, was recognized by Mexican courts as his heir, but two other women who claimed to be married to him were eventually granted government pensions acknowledging their claim.  Officially, Villa had five children but most likely, considering his reputation as a ladies man, there were many more. Pancho Villa's car in which he was assassinated. Amidst this atmosphere, life went on at Villa’s hacienda.  On July 20, 1923 he was returning to Canutillo in a large Dodge automobile, with cash he picked up in Parral for his employees.  An aide had recently cautioned him about the expense incurred by a huge entourage accompanying him on his trips to the city.  In response, Villa limited his latest bodyguard to five additional individuals crammed into his car.  With Villa at the wheel, the Dodge made its way slowly through the streets of Parral.  When it reached an intersection that required a turn, a street vendor began shouting Viva Villa, the general’s former rallying cry but on this day a signal to seven assassins who quickly stepped into the street with high powered rifles.  They fired over forty rounds of hollow point bullets, nine hitting Villa and killing him instantly.  Only one member of the entourage survived. Memorial a la Revolucion, Mexico City Over time, Francisco “Pancho” Villa has assumed a larger than life profile in Mexican popular culture.  His stature increased to the extent that in 1976, his remains were transferred from Parral to the massive national mausoleum in Mexico City, El Monumento a la Revolucion where he joined such luminaries as Madero and Carranza.  In life, Villa was feared and reviled as a volatile killer, bandit and criminal.  Today he enjoys  widespread international status as a proud nationalist revolutionary and a man of the people  long after most of his adversaries and contemporaries have been completely forgotten.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1384Thu, 17 Mar 2022 03:47:03 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOf the many political and military figures  involved in Mexico's 1910 Revolution, Pancho Villa remains the most famous and charismatic. Felipe Angeles Villa formally requested that Felipe Angeles be permitted to officially join Villa’s military staff....Felipe Angeles Villa formally requested that Felipe Angeles be permitted to officially join Villa’s military staff. Angeles was a traditional army officer with an expertise in artillery.  He served during the Diaz government but was in France when the revolution broke out.  Ultimately, he decided that the populist concepts of the revolution were more to his liking and felt Villa best embodied these ideas. John "Black Jack" Pershing, in Mexico Public outrage over Villa's Columbus, New Mexico attack prompted Woodrow Wilson to launch a rapidly deployed military expedition under the leadership of the commandant of Fort Bliss, Texas and experienced Apache antagonist, John “Black Jack” Pershing.  Commanding six thousand men, split into two separate columns, Pershing crossed the border, without the permission or even cooperation of the Carranza government, which was sensitive to any American incursion.  Fleeing south, Villa, attacked any appropriate smaller targets along the way but suffered a serious leg wound at Guerrero on March 28.  Pershing’s force quickly located the Villistas and successfully attacked Guerrero but Villa escaped into the mountains where he hid for six weeks, recovering from his gunshot injury.  Although Villa was no longer popular in Mexico, the American expedition was considered an invasion and an incident at Hidalgo Parral in which several American soldiers and numerous Mexicans were killed prompted an agreement between the two governments that the Pershing expedition would gradually withdraw Alvaro Obregon Although at the height of his military effectiveness and power, Pancho Villa was now confronted with fundamental logistical issues.  Although the path to the capital was wide open, Carranza ordered the cut off of any resupply, especially of coal which limited the rebel general’s railway mobility.  Foreign hostility caught up to Villa personally when the Wilson administration tailored an arms embargo designed specifically for the Villistas.  Any attempt to patch up an agreement between Carranza and Villa failed and it became clear that Pancho would never make it to Mexico City before another general, loyal to Carranza, Alvaro Obregon.  Obregon, approaching initially from the western state of Jalisco, marched unopposed into Mexico City on August 18, 1914.  Carranza joined him two days later.  Villa had no choice but to retreat northward back to the state of Chihuahua to regroup, resupply and recruit more soldiers. Columbus, New Mexico Post Office after the Villa attack. On January 19, 1916 a group of Villistas stopped a train heading to Chihuahua City, from the United States.  They executed 17 American employees, an act that outraged US citizens living in the towns on the Mexican border.  Although Villa denied involvement, officially the Carranza government apologized to the Wilson administration and vowed to bring the murderers and Villa to justice.  One of the formerly most powerful political forces in Mexico was now a mere criminal.  Villa’s response was even more audacious.  He proceeded to cross the border near the tiny and isolated town of Columbus, New Mexico.  At one in the morning, a firefight broke out between the Villistas and the US soldiers stationed in the town.  The Mexican rebels looted...]]>2091falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/leonard-seppala-and-the-alaskan-hero-dogs-balto-and-togo-part-one--69653613Leonard Seppala and his team with Togo (far left) and Fritz (far right. Seppala was employed by Hammon Gold as its main dog driver and the supervisor of freight logistics into the remote areas and mining camps that the company operated.  But Seppala was also known as the premier dogsled racer in the region having won numerous competitions that were a high profile Alaskan pursuit.  A Norwegian and a friend of Jafet Lindberg, he emigrated to Nome in 1900, at the height of the Gold Rush that established the city. Nome, during the 1900 gold rush.
The establishment of a town in such a remote and forbidding location was actually an unplanned spontaneous event that resulted from gold being discovered in the area in mid-September, 1898.  Rich deposits of the metal were discovered initially by three individuals who were eventually nicknamed the Three Lucky Swedes, Eric Lindblom, John Brynteson and Jafet Lindberg who was actually Norwegian.  This group located these valuable sites in the Anvil Creek and Snake River waterways a few miles off of the coast of the Bering Sea. They legally registered their claims before word of the find became public knowledge elsewhere.  However, news of this discovery quickly made it to the outside world and especially to the Klondike region where a previous 1897 gold rush had drawn over 100,000 potential prospectors.    Balto
To fill out the new team of drivers Summers contacted another one of his employees, a dog driver who also worked for Leonard Seppala, Gunnar Kaasen.  Summers told Kaasen to put together another team and head for the village of Bluff, about forty miles east of Nome.  When he got to Bluff he was supposed to get the roadhouse keeper there, Charles Olson, to put together his own team and head 25 miles east to the town of Golovin and wait there.  Kaasen was not completely surprised by Summer’s request to assemble a team.  Before his boss  Seppala left, he made precautionary recommendations to Kaasen as to how to position another subsequent team.  Kaasen went along with these recommendations placing the dog Fox as one of the leads.  But for the other dog he chose an animal that Seppala did not particularly hold in high esteem, an unusually colored Siberian who was solid black except for a white right paw.  The dog’s name was Balto, named after an associate of Norwegian explorer Fritdtjof Nansen.  At the time, Kaasen did not think about the choice very much.  He had always liked working with the dog and figured that the animal could certainly get the job done.  Once the run was completed and the serum got to Nome what difference would it make anyway? Gunnar Kaasen with Balto.
The serum relay remained a huge story across the United States with local journalists getting hired by national wire services to provide eyewitness accounts.  Only hours after his actual arrival, Gunnar Kaasen reenacted his arrival, ambling down the main streets of Nome for photographers and motion picture cameras.  Newspaper articles focused on Kaasen as he was the only participant present and because journalists wanted to focus on one dog, Balto was anointed as the main canine hero of the serum run.    Togo During his successful racing career, Seppala’s lead dog was named Suggen and this part Malemute, part Siberian huskie subsequently sired many puppies for Seppala.  By 1925, Suggen had been replaced by his son Togo, a diminutive animal, initially a runt believed too small to have any future as a sled dog.  Named after the victorious Japanese admiral at the battle of Tsushima, at age six months, Seppala gave the dog away, its new owner maintaining the canine as a pet.  Within a few weeks, Togo escaped from his new home by leaping through a glass window and returning to Seppala’s kennel, a journey of several miles that impressed the dog trainer enough to prompt Seppala to keep the dog.  But the puppy proved difficult to train, frequently breaking out of the kennel to follow Seppala when left behind and off of the team. On the trail, Togo would distract the group to the extent that Seppala finally decided to harness the dog, if only to control him.  Immediately, the younger dog responded, able to keep up with older, larger animals on runs that frequently totaled seventy-five miles a day.  Seppala came to believe that Togo, 48 pounds at his heaviest weight, was a once in a life time prodigy that he quickly trained and ultimately designated as a lead dog.  By 1925, Togo, aged 12, was so respected by Seppala that he frequently placed the dog by himself, with a long lead in front of the other dogs.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1132Wed, 09 Feb 2022 23:51:46 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1925, a diphtheria epidemic threatened to wipe out the town of Nome, Alaska. Hear the incredible story of the men and dogs who saved the day. Leonard Seppala and his team with Togo (far left) and Fritz (far right. Seppala was employed by Hammon...Leonard Seppala and his team with Togo (far left) and Fritz (far right. Seppala was employed by Hammon Gold as its main dog driver and the supervisor of freight logistics into the remote areas and mining camps that the company operated.  But Seppala was also known as the premier dogsled racer in the region having won numerous competitions that were a high profile Alaskan pursuit.  A Norwegian and a friend of Jafet Lindberg, he emigrated to Nome in 1900, at the height of the Gold Rush that established the city. Nome, during the 1900 gold rush.
The establishment of a town in such a remote and forbidding location was actually an unplanned spontaneous event that resulted from gold being discovered in the area in mid-September, 1898.  Rich deposits of the metal were discovered initially by three individuals who were eventually nicknamed the Three Lucky Swedes, Eric Lindblom, John Brynteson and Jafet Lindberg who was actually Norwegian.  This group located these valuable sites in the Anvil Creek and Snake River waterways a few miles off of the coast of the Bering Sea. They legally registered their claims before word of the find became public knowledge elsewhere.  However, news of this discovery quickly made it to the outside world and especially to the Klondike region where a previous 1897 gold rush had drawn over 100,000 potential prospectors.    Balto
To fill out the new team of drivers Summers contacted another one of his employees, a dog driver who also worked for Leonard Seppala, Gunnar Kaasen.  Summers told Kaasen to put together another team and head for the village of Bluff, about forty miles east of Nome.  When he got to Bluff he was supposed to get the roadhouse keeper there, Charles Olson, to put together his own team and head 25 miles east to the town of Golovin and wait there.  Kaasen was not completely surprised by Summer’s request to assemble a team.  Before his boss  Seppala left, he made precautionary recommendations to Kaasen as to how to position another subsequent team.  Kaasen went along with these recommendations placing the dog Fox as one of the leads.  But for the other dog he chose an animal that Seppala did not particularly hold in high esteem, an unusually colored Siberian who was solid black except for a white right paw.  The dog’s name was Balto, named after an associate of Norwegian explorer Fritdtjof Nansen.  At the time, Kaasen did not think about the choice very much.  He had always liked working with the dog and figured that the animal could certainly get the job done.  Once the run was completed and the serum got to Nome what difference would it make anyway? Gunnar Kaasen with Balto.
The serum relay remained a huge story across the United States with local journalists getting hired by national wire services to provide eyewitness accounts.  Only hours after his actual arrival, Gunnar Kaasen reenacted his arrival, ambling down the main streets of Nome for photographers and motion picture cameras.  Newspaper articles focused on Kaasen as he was the only participant present and because journalists wanted to focus on one dog, Balto was anointed as the main canine hero of the serum run.    1872falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/leonard-seppala-and-the-alaskan-hero-dogs-balto-and-togo-part-two--69653624Balto in news footage during re-enactment. Within days Kaasen got an offer from a Hollywood film producer to appear in a movie with his dog team.  Kaasen and Balto were soon standing on the steps of Los angeles’ city Hall with the mayor and Mary Pickford.  Although Leonard Sepalla was annoyed by the attention Kaasen was getting, he did give his employee permission to take the dogs, who he considered inferior anyway, and make the film.  In conjunction with the movie deal, a vaudeville style tour was developed and suddenly Gunnar Kaasen was a full blown American celebrity. Balto's statue, Central Park, New York, NY An indication of the level of Balto’s profile came when it was announced by the city of NY that a statue to honor all of the participants in the serum drive would be placed in Central Park, a statue of Balto deposited on top of its base.  On December 15, 1925 both Balto and Kaasen were present when the statue was dedicated, a monument that remains very popular even today. Balto, preserved in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Kaasen and his wife soon grew tired of the vaudeville life and the frequent squabbles with Hollywood producers and the tour operator over money.  As their celebrity faded they decided to head back home to Alaska, at this point the tour operator having somehow gained ownership of the dog team and sled.  How this process unfolded remains unclear but the animals were transported back to Los Angeles where proprietor of a typical side show of oddities and amusements named Sam Houston acquired the dogs.  For months they were on display in a small enclosure in dreadful conditions, neglected by their new owner.  It was not until a visiting Cleveland businessman, George Kimball, saw the dogs and wanted to rescue them from their plight.  Houston agreed to sell the team for $2,000 but gave Kimball only two weeks to raise the money.  Kimball returned home and through newspaper publicity and after an overwhelming public response, Balto and his team were extricated and brought to Cleveland and their permanent home, a popular attraction at the city’s zoo.  There he and the rest of the team lived in relative tranquility, until Balto, blind and arthritic, was euthanized on March 14, 1933, aged fourteen.  His body was preserved and today it is on display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Togo, Iditarod Museum, Wasilla, Alaska The serum run was Togo’s last long distance endeavor and even then at age 12 he was considered old for a sled dog.  By age sixteen the dog was partially blind and could only move with great difficulty.  On December 9, 1929 the decision was made to euthanize Togo at his kennel in Maine.  He was also preserved and after a lengthy stay in Yale’s Peabody Museum and the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont he was returned to the Iditarod Museum in Wasilla, Alaska, where he can be seen today.  Togo, Seward Park, Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City, NY]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1122Wed, 09 Feb 2022 23:50:16 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn 1925, a diphtheria epidemic threatened to wipe out the town of Nome, Alaska. Hear the incredible story of the men and dogs who saved the day. Balto in news footage during re-enactment. Within days Kaasen got an offer from a Hollywood film producer...Balto in news footage during re-enactment. Within days Kaasen got an offer from a Hollywood film producer to appear in a movie with his dog team.  Kaasen and Balto were soon standing on the steps of Los angeles’ city Hall with the mayor and Mary Pickford.  Although Leonard Sepalla was annoyed by the attention Kaasen was getting, he did give his employee permission to take the dogs, who he considered inferior anyway, and make the film.  In conjunction with the movie deal, a vaudeville style tour was developed and suddenly Gunnar Kaasen was a full blown American celebrity. Balto's statue, Central Park, New York, NY An indication of the level of Balto’s profile came when it was announced by the city of NY that a statue to honor all of the participants in the serum drive would be placed in Central Park, a statue of Balto deposited on top of its base.  On December 15, 1925 both Balto and Kaasen were present when the statue was dedicated, a monument that remains very popular even today. Balto, preserved in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Kaasen and his wife soon grew tired of the vaudeville life and the frequent squabbles with Hollywood producers and the tour operator over money.  As their celebrity faded they decided to head back home to Alaska, at this point the tour operator having somehow gained ownership of the dog team and sled.  How this process unfolded remains unclear but the animals were transported back to Los Angeles where proprietor of a typical side show of oddities and amusements named Sam Houston acquired the dogs.  For months they were on display in a small enclosure in dreadful conditions, neglected by their new owner.  It was not until a visiting Cleveland businessman, George Kimball, saw the dogs and wanted to rescue them from their plight.  Houston agreed to sell the team for $2,000 but gave Kimball only two weeks to raise the money.  Kimball returned home and through newspaper publicity and after an overwhelming public response, Balto and his team were extricated and brought to Cleveland and their permanent home, a popular attraction at the city’s zoo.  There he and the rest of the team lived in relative tranquility, until Balto, blind and arthritic, was euthanized on March 14, 1933, aged fourteen.  His body was preserved and today it is on display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Togo, Iditarod Museum, Wasilla, Alaska The serum run was Togo’s last long distance endeavor and even then at age 12 he was considered old for a sled dog.  By age sixteen the dog was partially blind and could only move with great difficulty.  On December 9, 1929 the decision was made to euthanize Togo at his kennel in Maine.  He was also preserved and after a lengthy stay in Yale’s Peabody Museum and the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont he was returned to the Iditarod Museum in Wasilla, Alaska, where he can be seen today.  Togo, Seward Park, Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City, NY]]>1938falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ambassador-kenneth-taylor-and-the-canadian-caper-part-one--69653637Mohammed Mossadeq, right, meeting with American Secretay of State Dean Acheson The Shah of Iran appointed a popular veteran politician, Mohammed Mossadeq, in April of 1951.  Mossadeq quickly announced his intention to nationalize the Anglo-Iranian oil company, prompting the Anglo-Iran hierarchy to withdraw refinery operatives and block Iranian oil from the world market.  The resulting economic downturn was unpopular but the embattled Mossadeq refused to waver.  By 1953, the British were no longer the imperial power that could crush such a quasi-colonial upstart.  But the US, under the newly installed Eisenhower administration, was already involved in Cold War conflicts in Korea and elsewhere and Iran, with a viable domestic Communist party and geographic proximity to the Soviet Union was another country run by an unpredictable individual who might embrace Moscow.  This, and Mossadeq’s October, 1952 severing of all British diplomatic ties, precipitated clandestine US intelligence activity.  Jimmy Carter, King Hussein of Jordan, the Shan of Iran and his wife. By 1978, even with the advent of the Carter administration and its focus on human rights, the Shah remained an important game piece of American international geopolitics and the US government’s tone deaf attitudes toward the growing national revulsion toward the Shah only intensified the anger of the Iranian people. Cora Lijek, Mark Lijek, Robert Anders, Joseph Stafford, Kathleen Stafford and Lee Schatz were the six American diplomats who eluded capture when Iranian militants seized the american embassy. All of the American escapees were eventually able to watch television and see footage of their comrades.  Blindfolded, their hands bound, it was clear that the hostages were under great duress.  Although spokesmen for the Student dissident group maintained that the detainees were being treated humanely, actually they were all subjected at minimum to physical restraints and verbal abuse and some, those suspected of being intelligence operatives were harshly interrogated, beaten, forced to endure mock executions and placed in solitary confinement in actual prison cells. Iranian militants scaling the walls of the US embassy in Tehran On the morning of November 4, 1979 a boisterous mob of protesters gathered in front of the US embassy in Teheran, Iran.  Such demonstrations were frequent occurrences, the result of the political upheaval that marked the transition of Iran from an absolute, western aligned monarchy to an unaligned Islamic republic.  On this day, the behavior of the crowd was markedly different with individuals, initially mostly women to discourage armed embassy Marine sharpshooters, beginning to deliberately scale the walls of the embassy compound.  Some of the invaders carried bolt cutters which were used to sever the locks securing the embassy entrance and soon hundreds of individuals were pouring into the 27 acre embassy enclosure.  The embassy gates today, now an Iranian museum.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1091Wed, 19 Jan 2022 06:33:59 +0000Philip D. GibbonsRisking his own freedom, Canadian ambassador Kenneth Taylor upheld diplomatic decorum and the international rule of law in the face of a tyrannical and dangerous regime. Mohammed Mossadeq, right, meeting with American Secretay of State Dean Acheson...Mohammed Mossadeq, right, meeting with American Secretay of State Dean Acheson The Shah of Iran appointed a popular veteran politician, Mohammed Mossadeq, in April of 1951.  Mossadeq quickly announced his intention to nationalize the Anglo-Iranian oil company, prompting the Anglo-Iran hierarchy to withdraw refinery operatives and block Iranian oil from the world market.  The resulting economic downturn was unpopular but the embattled Mossadeq refused to waver.  By 1953, the British were no longer the imperial power that could crush such a quasi-colonial upstart.  But the US, under the newly installed Eisenhower administration, was already involved in Cold War conflicts in Korea and elsewhere and Iran, with a viable domestic Communist party and geographic proximity to the Soviet Union was another country run by an unpredictable individual who might embrace Moscow.  This, and Mossadeq’s October, 1952 severing of all British diplomatic ties, precipitated clandestine US intelligence activity.  Jimmy Carter, King Hussein of Jordan, the Shan of Iran and his wife. By 1978, even with the advent of the Carter administration and its focus on human rights, the Shah remained an important game piece of American international geopolitics and the US government’s tone deaf attitudes toward the growing national revulsion toward the Shah only intensified the anger of the Iranian people. Cora Lijek, Mark Lijek, Robert Anders, Joseph Stafford, Kathleen Stafford and Lee Schatz were the six American diplomats who eluded capture when Iranian militants seized the american embassy. All of the American escapees were eventually able to watch television and see footage of their comrades.  Blindfolded, their hands bound, it was clear that the hostages were under great duress.  Although spokesmen for the Student dissident group maintained that the detainees were being treated humanely, actually they were all subjected at minimum to physical restraints and verbal abuse and some, those suspected of being intelligence operatives were harshly interrogated, beaten, forced to endure mock executions and placed in solitary confinement in actual prison cells. Iranian militants scaling the walls of the US embassy in Tehran On the morning of November 4, 1979 a boisterous mob of protesters gathered in front of the US embassy in Teheran, Iran.  Such demonstrations were frequent occurrences, the result of the political upheaval that marked the transition of Iran from an absolute, western aligned monarchy to an unaligned Islamic republic.  On this day, the behavior of the crowd was markedly different with individuals, initially mostly women to discourage armed embassy Marine sharpshooters, beginning to deliberately scale the walls of the embassy compound.  Some of the invaders carried bolt cutters which were used to sever the locks securing the embassy entrance and soon hundreds of individuals were pouring into the 27 acre embassy enclosure.  The embassy gates today, now an Iranian museum.]]>2471falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ambassador-kenneth-taylor-and-the-canadian-caper-part-two--69653647The Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran in triumph. Less than three weeks later, the Ayatollah landed at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, the city greeting him with a crowd of over three million people.  Khomeini’s political attitudes were made immediately clear.  Any appointments by the shah were invalid, the result of an illegal government.  Of Bakhtiar and others, Khomeini commented, “I will kick their teeth in, I decide on the government.”  He also stated that although he would appoint his own Prime Minister, his long term intention was to construct a republic based on Islamic fundamentalism and sharia law.  He routinely vilified the United States as, “The great Satan,” and mocked the Soviet Union as “The Lesser Satan.”  The Shah, in exile, in Cuernavaca, Mexico By October of 1979, the Shah of Iran was languishing in Mexico.  After Egypt, he made stops in Morocco and the Bahamas before proceeding to Cuernavaca.  His doctors advised that treatment in the US for an obviously seriously spreading lymphoma was crucial but the Carter administration was wary of admitting the Shah, not wishing to worsen relations with the new Iranian government. Anwar Sadat and the son of the Shah at the Shah's funeral in Egypt. The death of the shah in July, the Iraqi invasion of Iran in late September and the landslide victory of Ronald Reagan either sidetracked the hostage talks or prompted the Iranians to prolong the process.  Fake ad used in Hollywood trade publications to promote the fictitious, "Argo." Mendez hastily went to Los Angeles where he spent $10,000 renting an office, staffing it with enough bodies to make sure there was someone at the end of a phone in case the Iranians checked on the ruse.  With a Hollywood contact, make-up man John Chambers, Mendez actually selected a film off the slush pile, an unproduced sci-fi fantasy called Lord of Light.  It could certainly utilize the exotic locations but Mendez changed the title to something with more of a Middle-Eastern ring to it; Argo. Jimmy Carter congratulates Tony Mendez, whose role remained secret until 1997 The CIA role in the Canadian Caper was declassified in 1997.  Tony Mendez wrote about it extensively, initially in an-house CIA journal, and then then in his own books.  The story remained under the radar until 2007 when Wired Magazine published an account of the Argo aspects of the rescue. Ronald Reagan presents Ken Taylor with American Congressional Gold Medal In the immediate aftermath of the Canadian Caper, Ken Taylor was given the plum assignment of Consul General in NY.  But by 1984, despite both Canadian political parties encouraging to run for office, Taylor left the public sector to accept a key position with RJ Nabisco from a Canadian friend, Ross Johnson.  This would place Taylor front and center for the wild leveraged buyout struggle over Nabisco, a struggle Johnson eventually and famously lost.  Ken Taylor then started his own worldwide consulting firm that he operated for two decades and served as a chancellor at the University of Toronto.  He died of cancer on October 15, 2015.  Kenneth Taylor remains the only Canadian to receive the American Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award the US government can bestow.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1083Wed, 19 Jan 2022 06:32:27 +0000Philip D. GibbonsRisking his own freedom, Canadian ambassador Kenneth Taylor upheld diplomatic decorum and the international rule of law in the face of a tyrannical and dangerous regime. The Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran in triumph. Less than three weeks later,...The Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran in triumph. Less than three weeks later, the Ayatollah landed at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, the city greeting him with a crowd of over three million people.  Khomeini’s political attitudes were made immediately clear.  Any appointments by the shah were invalid, the result of an illegal government.  Of Bakhtiar and others, Khomeini commented, “I will kick their teeth in, I decide on the government.”  He also stated that although he would appoint his own Prime Minister, his long term intention was to construct a republic based on Islamic fundamentalism and sharia law.  He routinely vilified the United States as, “The great Satan,” and mocked the Soviet Union as “The Lesser Satan.”  The Shah, in exile, in Cuernavaca, Mexico By October of 1979, the Shah of Iran was languishing in Mexico.  After Egypt, he made stops in Morocco and the Bahamas before proceeding to Cuernavaca.  His doctors advised that treatment in the US for an obviously seriously spreading lymphoma was crucial but the Carter administration was wary of admitting the Shah, not wishing to worsen relations with the new Iranian government. Anwar Sadat and the son of the Shah at the Shah's funeral in Egypt. The death of the shah in July, the Iraqi invasion of Iran in late September and the landslide victory of Ronald Reagan either sidetracked the hostage talks or prompted the Iranians to prolong the process.  Fake ad used in Hollywood trade publications to promote the fictitious, "Argo." Mendez hastily went to Los Angeles where he spent $10,000 renting an office, staffing it with enough bodies to make sure there was someone at the end of a phone in case the Iranians checked on the ruse.  With a Hollywood contact, make-up man John Chambers, Mendez actually selected a film off the slush pile, an unproduced sci-fi fantasy called Lord of Light.  It could certainly utilize the exotic locations but Mendez changed the title to something with more of a Middle-Eastern ring to it; Argo. Jimmy Carter congratulates Tony Mendez, whose role remained secret until 1997 The CIA role in the Canadian Caper was declassified in 1997.  Tony Mendez wrote about it extensively, initially in an-house CIA journal, and then then in his own books.  The story remained under the radar until 2007 when Wired Magazine published an account of the Argo aspects of the rescue. Ronald Reagan presents Ken Taylor with American Congressional Gold Medal In the immediate aftermath of the Canadian Caper, Ken Taylor was given the plum assignment of Consul General in NY.  But by 1984, despite both Canadian political parties encouraging to run for office, Taylor left the public sector to accept a key position with RJ Nabisco from a Canadian friend, Ross Johnson.  This would place Taylor front and center for the wild leveraged buyout struggle over Nabisco, a struggle Johnson eventually and famously lost.  Ken Taylor then started his...]]>2280falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-creators-of-the-wizard-of-oz-part-one--69653661Still photo with the Wizard of Oz' major characters Most of the other roles were plugged in with various MGM contract players or veteran character actors who got salaries lasting only a few weeks.  Ray Bolger was initially asked to play the Tin Man although he had his heart set on the Scarecrow.  Buddy Ebsen didn’t really care who he played and his agreement to swap roles with Bolger and play the Tin Man had dire consequences.  A second tier actor Bert Lahr, better known for his Broadway comedic ability was cast as the Cowardly Lion. Publicity photo of Toto (Terry) and Judy Garland The dog, Toto, depicted by Denslow seemed a straightforward small terrier but finding such an animal able to function in a soundstage environment amidst the typical commotion, lighting and sound effects became a formidable project in itself.  Dozens of visually suitable dogs were auditioned by LeRoy personally, none were even close to what the role technically required.  This process grew so unproductive that consideration was even given to dressing up an actor in a dog costume.  Finally, a professional dog trainer with previous experience providing animals to the motion picture industry heard about this unique talent search.  Carl Spitz was a German immigrant operating a ten acre kennel, dog boarding and training facility in the San Fernando Valley who occasionally padded his income with a movie role for one of his own trained pets.  The St. Bernard used in Clark Gable’s 1933 Call of the Wild was to date Spitz’ most famous canine movie star. Upon hearing about MGM’s difficulty in finding just the right animal, Spitz took a gamble on a small female Cairn terrier he owned named Terry.  Initially a dog dropped off by a customer for traditional training, Spitz kept the dog when the patron couldn’t afford to pay the bill and never came back to retrieve the animal.  Terry was so shy that Spitz figured he could never train it to work in films but, in 1934, an MGM director familiar with Spitz’ kennel was desperate enough to try and use Terry in a Shirley Temple film.  The dog performed beautifully and appeared in several subsequent movies but Spitz wasn’t sure the small, still somewhat timid animal could handle such a massive production.  Upon entering MGM studios with the dog, Spitz was immediately escorted to the Thalberg building, where the entire pre-production crew was attempting to get the Wizard of Oz into filming as quickly as possible.  Terry was practically cast on sight, with Spitz using non-verbal commands to get what became America’s most famous Cairn terrier through its usual tricks.  Spitz’ only regret was that he did not realize how desperate MGM was, agreeing to a weekly salary of a mere $125 a week. Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow Bolger’s wrinkled burlap face was provided by a specially molded rubber mask that covered his head and neck with the exception of his nose, mouth and eyes.  The mask had to be glued on daily, makeup then manually added to his visible nose and mouth.  This process took two hours, necessitating Bolger’s studio arrival at 6:15 AM. Bert Lahr as The Cowardly Lion Lahr’s lion costume and makeup was even worse.  The padded body suit he wore weighed ninety pounds, prosthetic devices were glued to his face that prevented him from eating anything that he couldn’t ingest through a straw. Louis B. Mayer Born Lazar Meir in the vicinity of Minsk, Russia, most likely on July 12, 1884, Meir emigrated to St. John’s, New Brunswick, Canada, with his parents and siblings, anglicizing his name to Louis Burt Mayer.  A high school dropout at age 12, Mayer worked within his father’s junk and scrap metal business, crisscrossing St. John’s in a wagon and salvaging any scrap of value.  At age 20, in 1904, Mayer moved to Massachusetts and continued in the scrap metal trade, subsidizing his meager income by hustling various odd jobs.  Even as a young man in New Brunswick, Mayer was fascinated by vaudeville and show business, perhaps as an escape from an impoverished and gloomy existence.  He scraped together enough money to buy a seedy burlesque house in Haverhill, Massachusetts and transformed it into a movie theater. Sensing that the motion picture business was on the cusp of widespread popularity, Mayer bought up additional theaters and formed a partnership to distribute films throughout New England.  He paid D. W. Griffith $25,000 for the exclusive regional rights to show “Birth of a Nation,” typically without ever seeing the film himself, a deal which brought in four times the rights fee.  Mayer also was interested in the production side of the film industry, establishing production entities first in New York and then in Los Angeles in 1918, where he formed his first production company, Louis B. Mayer Productions. L. Frank Baum Long before the Wizard of Oz was produced as a film, the children’s novel written by L. Frank Baum had already achieved immense popularity.  Born in 1856 in upstate New York, Baum’s background was typical of many American journeyman attempting to eke out a living in late 19th century America.  Although interested in writing from an early age, he initially spent his twenties as both a member of a touring acting troupe as well as a salesman for his uncle’s carriage lubricant, Baum’s Castorine.  Eventually tiring of these financially unproductive efforts, in 1888, Baum and his wife made the decision to move from Syracuse to present day Aberdeen, South Dakota.  Initially a shopkeeper, when his store went bankrupt, he acquired and then began publishing and editing the local newspaper, The Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer.  As a columnist, Baum expressed his views on various issues, including politics and current events but this venture was also a failure and Baum and his family returned to Chicago, where he was employed as a reporter for a large daily, the Chicago Evening Post.  He also again supplemented his income as a salesman, but his enterprising mind continued to produce ideas involving creative writing. First edition of the Wizard of Oz
Baum made a deal with W. W. Denslow to illustrate the book, a 50-50 split, and the illustrations again broke new ground in children’s literature.  By October of 1900, the book was well into sales of its second edition and a runaway success and Baum’s first royalty check in December of 1900 was for $3,000, approximately $100,000 today. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz remained the best-selling child’s book for more than two years after its release.    Victor Fleming on the set of Gone With the Wind Oz resumed production on November 4, 1938, with director Victor Fleming.  Fleming already had a reputation as MGM’s fixer of problem productions.  His experience dated back to silent films, working for various directors including D. W. Griffith.  He made stars out of Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Jean Harlow in the late twenties and early thirties.  Having made a good living in motion pictures for many years, Fleming lived the high life on his twenty acre horse ranch in Bel Air, riding a motorcycle years before it was fashionable.  As good looking as the men he directed he also carried on affairs with many of his leading ladies ranging from Clara Bow to Ingrid Bergman, finally marrying at age 34 in 1933.  Although considered a breach of studio etiquette and the star system, Clark Gable routinely ate lunch with Fleming at the studio commissary, such was his respect for the director, also a close friend. Mervyn LeRoy on the set with Edward G. Robinson In an effort to bolster MGM talent behind the camera, Mayer poached one of Warner Brothers most esteemed producer-directors in Mervyn LeRoy.  He secretly paid Leroy $6,000 a week, practically double what any other producer was making, although his salary did not remain secret for long.  But LeRoy was a veteran of nine years at Warner Bros and well known as both a quality filmmaker and efficient professional. Ozcot Baum always envisioned Oz as the perfect backdrop for an amusement park and to pursue such a venture he moved permanently to Los Angeles, acquiring land in central Hollywood in what was then mostly orange groves, building an elaborate two story home he christened “Ozcot,” where he lived for the rest of his life. Publicity photo of Judy Garland.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1065Wed, 15 Dec 2021 07:04:39 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAccording to the Library of Congress, The Wizard of Oz is the most viewed film in the history of motion pictures. Still photo with the Wizard of Oz' major characters Most of the other roles were plugged in with various MGM contract players or...Still photo with the Wizard of Oz' major characters Most of the other roles were plugged in with various MGM contract players or veteran character actors who got salaries lasting only a few weeks.  Ray Bolger was initially asked to play the Tin Man although he had his heart set on the Scarecrow.  Buddy Ebsen didn’t really care who he played and his agreement to swap roles with Bolger and play the Tin Man had dire consequences.  A second tier actor Bert Lahr, better known for his Broadway comedic ability was cast as the Cowardly Lion. Publicity photo of Toto (Terry) and Judy Garland The dog, Toto, depicted by Denslow seemed a straightforward small terrier but finding such an animal able to function in a soundstage environment amidst the typical commotion, lighting and sound effects became a formidable project in itself.  Dozens of visually suitable dogs were auditioned by LeRoy personally, none were even close to what the role technically required.  This process grew so unproductive that consideration was even given to dressing up an actor in a dog costume.  Finally, a professional dog trainer with previous experience providing animals to the motion picture industry heard about this unique talent search.  Carl Spitz was a German immigrant operating a ten acre kennel, dog boarding and training facility in the San Fernando Valley who occasionally padded his income with a movie role for one of his own trained pets.  The St. Bernard used in Clark Gable’s 1933 Call of the Wild was to date Spitz’ most famous canine movie star. Upon hearing about MGM’s difficulty in finding just the right animal, Spitz took a gamble on a small female Cairn terrier he owned named Terry.  Initially a dog dropped off by a customer for traditional training, Spitz kept the dog when the patron couldn’t afford to pay the bill and never came back to retrieve the animal.  Terry was so shy that Spitz figured he could never train it to work in films but, in 1934, an MGM director familiar with Spitz’ kennel was desperate enough to try and use Terry in a Shirley Temple film.  The dog performed beautifully and appeared in several subsequent movies but Spitz wasn’t sure the small, still somewhat timid animal could handle such a massive production.  Upon entering MGM studios with the dog, Spitz was immediately escorted to the Thalberg building, where the entire pre-production crew was attempting to get the Wizard of Oz into filming as quickly as possible.  Terry was practically cast on sight, with Spitz using non-verbal commands to get what became America’s most famous Cairn terrier through its usual tricks.  Spitz’ only regret was that he did not realize how desperate MGM was, agreeing to a weekly salary of a mere $125 a week. Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow Bolger’s wrinkled burlap face was provided by a specially molded rubber mask that covered his head and neck with the exception of his nose, mouth and eyes.  The mask had to be glued on daily, makeup then manually added to his visible nose and mouth.  This process took two hours, necessitating Bolger’s studio arrival at 6:15 AM. Bert Lahr as The Cowardly Lion Lahr’s lion costume and makeup was even worse.  The padded body suit he wore weighed ninety pounds, prosthetic devices were glued to his face that prevented him from eating anything that...]]>2257falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-creators-of-the-wizard-of-oz-part-two--69653659One of the original pairs of the Ruby Slippers. Even the magical slippers, a major plot device in both the novel and film are changed from silver to ruby, to take advantage of the Technicolor film process used for the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy, over the rainbow Judy Garland faced challenges of a different kind.  Playing the part of a twelve year old required that any appearance of breasts were eliminated by a constrictive corset that forcibly flattened her chest.  Between her mother and the studio, every aspect of Judy’s life was choreographed especially when it came to diet.  She was encouraged to smoke tobacco and drink coffee, practices that inhibited appetite.  Her mother had already exposed her to amphetamines at a young age, again as a diet inhibitor and energy booster.  Billie Burke and Judy Garland, in Munchkinland Another production challenge was the preparation and choreography of the Munschkinland scenes, frequently involving over a hundred individuals.  One blessing was that besides Judy Garland and Billie Burke who played Glinda, all of the other voices were lip synched and ultimately recorded by several voiceover artists associated with Disney productions. Their voices were then sped up to varying degrees to get the appropriate sound for a tiny person. The terrifying Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton One such effort involved The Wicked witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton and her fiery exit from Munschkinland in a cloud of red dust and flame.  Seemingly she magically disappears into thin air, actually her escape was set in motion by an elevator that lowered her beneath the sound stage.  Hamilton had to back her way into an exact spot on the stage with perfect timing to escape any flames as she was lowered out of sight.  If her legs were even slightly unaligned, she could break one or both as she fell through the opening.  Two stagehands were ready to grab her as she came down the elevator.  Hamilton rehearsed the scene and process endlessly, getting to the correct spot, tightening her elbows next her sides so they did not slam on the edge of the pit, keeping her costume behind her and clutching the broomstick close to her chest so it did not get caught on the opening.  The first take was so good that when Hamilton returned to the soundstage from below, the usually stern Fleming was actually smiling.  However, he typically demanded another take as a precaution.  As it was lunch time the entire crew left for a break and when they returned, nothing went right, and after four takes with mistakes, Fleming returned to his typical drill sergeant demeanor.  After demanding that everyone pull themselves together and get the scene done, Hamilton proceeded.  This time the flame effect started way too early, the witch’s broomstick and hat ignited and by the time Hamilton was grabbed off of the elevator below, her eyelashes and one eyebrow were gone and upper lip and one eyelid badly burned.  Her right hand was also severely injured and the toxic copper based makeup had to be removed manually, alcohol painfully applied to a large and essentially open wound.  Hamilton was in agony, claiming subsequently that she had never experienced such pain.  Ointment was also applied to her face and covered with gauze, only her eyes, nose and mouth left uncovered. Luckily, Hamilton was not needed for filming for six weeks and when she returned, she was told she would have to ride on a mechanical device that simulated her flying above the Emerald City as part of the “Surrender, Dorothy,” scene.  The device also spewed smoke from a pipe concealed by her broomstick.  Hamilton absolutely refused to have anything to do with the smoke device, agreeing only to closeups with a wind machine and the broomstick rocking back and forth.  She told Victor Fleming that he could fire her if he wanted but she would not get near any fire related special effects again. Ray Bolger, Margaret Hamilton and Jack Haley in a 1970 reunion photo Of all of the actors associated with the film, perhaps the strangest outcome was experienced by Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch of the West.  Despite her permanent association with the role, she successfully avoided typecasting and enjoyed a lengthy career in film, television, where she appeared on the Addams Family and was a regular on the soap opera, the Secret Storm, and even in television commercials where in her seventies she portrayed the kindly merchant Cora praising Maxwell House coffee.  But, especially as the Wizard of Oz reached nationwide prominence in the sixties and seventies, she received large amounts of mail from fans obsessed with every aspect of her role in the film.  Jerry Maren, Munchkin, also member of the Lollipop Guild, the last surviving member of the Munchkins. He passed away in 2018 Although the Munschkinland numbers are among the most impressive musical and dance songs ever filmed in Hollywood, it was the alleged off screen antics of these unique actors that eventually added to the Oz legend.  On the Jack Paar show in 1967, to much laughter, Judy Garland described the acting troupe as a “bunch of drunks” “who got smashed every night,” and one even propositioned her.  She also claimed that if a Munschkin became too intoxicated to navigate their way back to their Culver City hotel, they would be picked up with butterfly nets.  Although Garland was known to exaggerate, screenwriter Noel Langley referred to the group collectively as, “The wildest, little whoring rascals you ever saw.”  Mervyn Leroy’s 1974 autobiography recollected truly depraved behavior: “They had sex orgies in the hotel, we had to have police on just about every floor.”  By the time these urban legends became engrained any contradictions from actual surviving Munschkins themselves were typically ignored.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1057Wed, 15 Dec 2021 07:03:20 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAccording to the Library of Congress, The Wizard of Oz is the most viewed film in the history of motion pictures. One of the original pairs of the Ruby Slippers. Even the magical slippers, a major plot device in both the novel and film are changed...One of the original pairs of the Ruby Slippers. Even the magical slippers, a major plot device in both the novel and film are changed from silver to ruby, to take advantage of the Technicolor film process used for the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy, over the rainbow Judy Garland faced challenges of a different kind.  Playing the part of a twelve year old required that any appearance of breasts were eliminated by a constrictive corset that forcibly flattened her chest.  Between her mother and the studio, every aspect of Judy’s life was choreographed especially when it came to diet.  She was encouraged to smoke tobacco and drink coffee, practices that inhibited appetite.  Her mother had already exposed her to amphetamines at a young age, again as a diet inhibitor and energy booster.  Billie Burke and Judy Garland, in Munchkinland Another production challenge was the preparation and choreography of the Munschkinland scenes, frequently involving over a hundred individuals.  One blessing was that besides Judy Garland and Billie Burke who played Glinda, all of the other voices were lip synched and ultimately recorded by several voiceover artists associated with Disney productions. Their voices were then sped up to varying degrees to get the appropriate sound for a tiny person. The terrifying Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton One such effort involved The Wicked witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton and her fiery exit from Munschkinland in a cloud of red dust and flame.  Seemingly she magically disappears into thin air, actually her escape was set in motion by an elevator that lowered her beneath the sound stage.  Hamilton had to back her way into an exact spot on the stage with perfect timing to escape any flames as she was lowered out of sight.  If her legs were even slightly unaligned, she could break one or both as she fell through the opening.  Two stagehands were ready to grab her as she came down the elevator.  Hamilton rehearsed the scene and process endlessly, getting to the correct spot, tightening her elbows next her sides so they did not slam on the edge of the pit, keeping her costume behind her and clutching the broomstick close to her chest so it did not get caught on the opening.  The first take was so good that when Hamilton returned to the soundstage from below, the usually stern Fleming was actually smiling.  However, he typically demanded another take as a precaution.  As it was lunch time the entire crew left for a break and when they returned, nothing went right, and after four takes with mistakes, Fleming returned to his typical drill sergeant demeanor.  After demanding that everyone pull themselves together and get the scene done, Hamilton proceeded.  This time the flame effect started way too early, the witch’s broomstick and hat ignited and by the time Hamilton was grabbed off of the elevator below, her eyelashes and one eyebrow were gone and upper lip and one eyelid badly burned.  Her right hand was also severely injured and the toxic copper based makeup had to be removed manually, alcohol painfully applied to a large and essentially open wound.  Hamilton was in agony, claiming subsequently that she had never experienced such pain.  Ointment was also applied to her face and covered with gauze, only...]]>1885falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/julius-and-ethel-rosenberg-cold-war-casualties-part-one--69653650Julius Rosenberg, mug shot Julius and Ethel Rosenberg began their lives as two of the most unlikely individuals to ever acquire their eventual high profile notoriety.  Julius’ immigrant father, Harry, worked in the Garment District, providing his family with a better than average income that allowed the Rosenbergs to live a lifestyle marginally better than many of their Lower East Side counterparts.  His mother, also an immigrant from Eastern Europe was an illiterate homemaker who took care of Julius and his four siblings.  Quite serious, even as a teenager, Julius was a good enough student to consider rabbinical studies.  A high school graduate at 16, he eventually settled on engineering, enrolling at the City College of New York.  Politically aware, he also became active in several associations associated with the Communist Party, especially the Young Communist League. Ethel Rosenberg, mug shot Ethel Greenglass came from a similar Lower East Side background as her eventual husband, her father working in the sewing machine repair shop on the ground floor beneath the family apartment.  Three years older than Julius, they met as a result of their political interests and involvement in the Young Communist League.  Ethel was an aspiring actress and singer from a young age and was preparing to perform on New Year’s Eve, 1936, at a union benefit that Julius also attended.  After an introduction from a friend, Ethel agreed to Julius’ request to walk her home and from then on, the couple was inseparable.  David Greenglass, mug shot David Greenglass' testimony against his own sister and brother-in-law, which even he admitted later was disingenuous and coached by the federal government, was lethal to the Rosenbergs. Ruth Greenglass, mug shot Only a minor player in the Rosenberg spy ring, the FBI and US Government threatened the Greenglass' if they did not cooperate and help with the prosecution of their own relatives. David and Ruth Greenglass during World War II David Greenglass' random assignment to the highly sensitive Manhattan Project to construct a nuclear weapon placed him in proximity to information that was of interest to his brother-in-law, Julius Rosenberg Atom spy Klaus Fuchs Fuchs' arrest and testimony led the FBI to both Harry Gold and eventually the Rosenbergs.  He was sentenced to fourteen years in prison, served nine and was released.  He then emigrated to East Germany, and worked on weapons research until his eventual retirement as a highly decorated Communist hero. Harry Gold Harry Gold was a Soviet espionage agent and courier who interacted between David Greenglass and Klaus Fuchs.  He testified against the Rosenbergs, received a thirty year jail sentence and was released after serving approximately fifteen years.  He worked as a hospital pathologist and died in 1972. The actual Jell-O box that was submitted as evidence during the Rosenberg trial Although a recreation, this piece of evidence was crucial to demonstrating the tradecraft and espionage capabilities of Julius Rosenberg.  Harry Gold presented one half of the box to David Greenglass to introduce himself and demonstrate that he was sent by Julius Rosenberg.  The Jell-O box used at the trial is now in the National Archives.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1042Wed, 27 Oct 2021 07:55:47 +0000Philip D. GibbonsSoviet spies who betrayed the secret of the A-Bomb or innocent victims framed by Cold War hysteria, legal corruption and anti-Semitism? Over seventy years later the debate rages on. Julius Rosenberg, mug shot Julius and Ethel Rosenberg began their...Julius Rosenberg, mug shot Julius and Ethel Rosenberg began their lives as two of the most unlikely individuals to ever acquire their eventual high profile notoriety.  Julius’ immigrant father, Harry, worked in the Garment District, providing his family with a better than average income that allowed the Rosenbergs to live a lifestyle marginally better than many of their Lower East Side counterparts.  His mother, also an immigrant from Eastern Europe was an illiterate homemaker who took care of Julius and his four siblings.  Quite serious, even as a teenager, Julius was a good enough student to consider rabbinical studies.  A high school graduate at 16, he eventually settled on engineering, enrolling at the City College of New York.  Politically aware, he also became active in several associations associated with the Communist Party, especially the Young Communist League. Ethel Rosenberg, mug shot Ethel Greenglass came from a similar Lower East Side background as her eventual husband, her father working in the sewing machine repair shop on the ground floor beneath the family apartment.  Three years older than Julius, they met as a result of their political interests and involvement in the Young Communist League.  Ethel was an aspiring actress and singer from a young age and was preparing to perform on New Year’s Eve, 1936, at a union benefit that Julius also attended.  After an introduction from a friend, Ethel agreed to Julius’ request to walk her home and from then on, the couple was inseparable.  David Greenglass, mug shot David Greenglass' testimony against his own sister and brother-in-law, which even he admitted later was disingenuous and coached by the federal government, was lethal to the Rosenbergs. Ruth Greenglass, mug shot Only a minor player in the Rosenberg spy ring, the FBI and US Government threatened the Greenglass' if they did not cooperate and help with the prosecution of their own relatives. David and Ruth Greenglass during World War II David Greenglass' random assignment to the highly sensitive Manhattan Project to construct a nuclear weapon placed him in proximity to information that was of interest to his brother-in-law, Julius Rosenberg Atom spy Klaus Fuchs Fuchs' arrest and testimony led the FBI to both Harry Gold and eventually the Rosenbergs.  He was sentenced to fourteen years in prison, served nine and was released.  He then emigrated to East Germany, and worked on weapons research until his eventual retirement as a highly decorated Communist hero. Harry Gold Harry Gold was a Soviet espionage agent and courier who interacted between David Greenglass and Klaus Fuchs.  He testified against the Rosenbergs, received a thirty year jail sentence and was...]]>3133falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/julius-and-ethel-rosenberg-cold-war-casualties-part-two--69653648Morton Sobell, while traveling to East Germany in the seventies Sobell was a co-defendant of the Rosenbergs and claimed to be an innocent victim of a government frame-up.  He eventually admitted that he had passed secrets to the Russians and that Julius Rosenberg was an espionage agent.  But, he also claimed that Ethel Rosenberg was not part of the conspiracy.  Sobell spent almost eighteen years in prison before his release and death in 2018, age 101.  Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, minutes after their conviction Other federal defendants who were transported to court with the Rosenbergs mention their deep devotion and affection for each other despite harrowing circumstances.  Soviet intelligence agent Alexander Feklisov Feklisov was the case officer who coordinated the espionage ring involving Klaus Fuchs, Harry Gold and Julius Rosenberg.  Feklisov was named the Washington, DC station chief in 1960 and played a prominent role in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas After Justice Douglas permitted a last minute stay of execution for the Rosenbergs, the entire court was reconvened in a highly unusual session which vacated Douglas' ruling.  The Rosenbergs were executed only hours later. Prosecutor Irving Saypol Considered one of several villains in the Rosenberg case, Saypol, a federal prosecutor,  eventually served on the New York State Supreme Court, a promotion that was perceived as a reward for his role in the prosecution and execution of the Rosenbergs. The Rosenbergs' gravesite, obscured by shrubs, Wellwood Cemetery, West Babylon, NY Over ten thousand people crowded outside of the funeral home in Brooklyn where the Rosenbergs memorial was held.  The couple were buried on Long Island as many cemeteries in their native New York City refused to allow their burial.   ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1033Wed, 27 Oct 2021 07:54:00 +0000Philip D. GibbonsSoviet spies who betrayed the secret of the A-Bomb or innocent victims framed by Cold War hysteria, legal corruption and anti-Semitism? Over seventy years later the debate rages on. Morton Sobell, while traveling to East Germany in the seventies...Morton Sobell, while traveling to East Germany in the seventies Sobell was a co-defendant of the Rosenbergs and claimed to be an innocent victim of a government frame-up.  He eventually admitted that he had passed secrets to the Russians and that Julius Rosenberg was an espionage agent.  But, he also claimed that Ethel Rosenberg was not part of the conspiracy.  Sobell spent almost eighteen years in prison before his release and death in 2018, age 101.  Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, minutes after their conviction Other federal defendants who were transported to court with the Rosenbergs mention their deep devotion and affection for each other despite harrowing circumstances.  Soviet intelligence agent Alexander Feklisov Feklisov was the case officer who coordinated the espionage ring involving Klaus Fuchs, Harry Gold and Julius Rosenberg.  Feklisov was named the Washington, DC station chief in 1960 and played a prominent role in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas After Justice Douglas permitted a last minute stay of execution for the Rosenbergs, the entire court was reconvened in a highly unusual session which vacated Douglas' ruling.  The Rosenbergs were executed only hours later. Prosecutor Irving Saypol Considered one of several villains in the Rosenberg case, Saypol, a federal prosecutor,  eventually served on the New York State Supreme Court, a promotion that was perceived as a reward for his role in the prosecution and execution of the Rosenbergs. The Rosenbergs' gravesite, obscured by shrubs, Wellwood Cemetery, West Babylon, NY Over ten thousand people crowded outside of the funeral home in Brooklyn where the Rosenbergs memorial was held.  The couple were buried on Long Island as many cemeteries in their native New York City refused to allow their burial.   ]]>2745falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-three-stooges-uniquely-american-part-one--69653657The Stooges, Mid-Thirties Columbia quickly designated “Women Haters” as the Stooges first project.  They play travelling salesmen who vow never to get married or even romantically involved.  This predictably does not last very long with each Stooge eventually charmed by actress Marjorie White and Larry married to Marjorie.  The studio was encouraged enough by this production to green light additional films. Moe Howard Of the six individuals who eventually comprised the Three Stooges, three members came from the same family.  The fourth oldest brother from this family, Moses Harry Horwitz was born on June 19, 1897.  Adopting the stage name of Moe Howard, he was the ringleader of the Stooges both during their act and in the various business affairs and negotiations that were an integral part of any autonomous show business enterprise. Larry Fine Born Louis Feinberg, in Philadelphia on October 5, 1902.  Aka, Larry Fine, this individual started his career as a talented violinist who Ted Healy signed up for his revue.  Eventually, Larry stopped performing as a musician and teamed up comedically with the two Howard brothers. Jerome "Curly" Howard Although legend has it that because of a lack of experience, Moe was not initially enthusiastic about Jerome, nicknamed “Babe,” by his family as the youngest of the five Horwitz brothers, joining the Stooges, in fact he suggested his brother to Healy.  Although Babe had no real acting or comedic experience, he did spend most of his free time watching his brothers rehearsing and performing and he was quite familiar with their act.  When Ted Healy was approached about this potential addition, he suggested that Jerome shave off his wavy hair and full mustache and assume the name Curly.  Somewhat quiet and reserved, Jerome Howard quickly became a mainstay of the Stooges, improvising strange mannerisms and vocal sounds that established his unique identity and popularity. Samuel "Shemp" Howard Although Moe did not rule out Curly’s eventual return, he immediately floated the idea of replacing him with Shemp Howard.  Shemp was in the midst of a reasonably successful career as a contract player appearing in numerous studio produced comedies, most notably in The Bank Dick with WC Fields but he quickly agreed to replace his brother in what was initially supposed to be a temporary fix.  As stipulated in their original agreement, Moe submitted a letter to Curly, formalizing Shemp’s temporary replacement which was signed in September of 1946. Stooges, mid-Thirties, with Curly in full swing
Coinciding with these personal challenges, Curley’s physical condition began to affect his film performances, becoming increasingly evident on film.  He could no longer incorporate the physicality of previous antics, pratfalls and improvisational floor spinning.  Heavy drinking also removed his ability to make the high pitched sounds that initially made him unique.  He barely could remember his lines.  On May 6, 1946, while literally in the middle of filming the Stooges’ 97film, Half Wits Holiday, Howard suffered the first of several devastating strokes.  This medical event occurred with the movie almost complete, the ending needed to be changed so that Larry and Moe led a massive pie fight, the cast having no idea that Curly was incapacitated.   ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1016Sat, 28 Aug 2021 07:29:46 +0000Philip D. GibbonsA uniquely American institution. The Stooges, Mid-Thirties Columbia quickly designated “Women Haters” as the Stooges first project.  They play travelling salesmen who vow never to get married or even romantically involved.  This predictably does not...The Stooges, Mid-Thirties Columbia quickly designated “Women Haters” as the Stooges first project.  They play travelling salesmen who vow never to get married or even romantically involved.  This predictably does not last very long with each Stooge eventually charmed by actress Marjorie White and Larry married to Marjorie.  The studio was encouraged enough by this production to green light additional films. Moe Howard Of the six individuals who eventually comprised the Three Stooges, three members came from the same family.  The fourth oldest brother from this family, Moses Harry Horwitz was born on June 19, 1897.  Adopting the stage name of Moe Howard, he was the ringleader of the Stooges both during their act and in the various business affairs and negotiations that were an integral part of any autonomous show business enterprise. Larry Fine Born Louis Feinberg, in Philadelphia on October 5, 1902.  Aka, Larry Fine, this individual started his career as a talented violinist who Ted Healy signed up for his revue.  Eventually, Larry stopped performing as a musician and teamed up comedically with the two Howard brothers. Jerome "Curly" Howard Although legend has it that because of a lack of experience, Moe was not initially enthusiastic about Jerome, nicknamed “Babe,” by his family as the youngest of the five Horwitz brothers, joining the Stooges, in fact he suggested his brother to Healy.  Although Babe had no real acting or comedic experience, he did spend most of his free time watching his brothers rehearsing and performing and he was quite familiar with their act.  When Ted Healy was approached about this potential addition, he suggested that Jerome shave off his wavy hair and full mustache and assume the name Curly.  Somewhat quiet and reserved, Jerome Howard quickly became a mainstay of the Stooges, improvising strange mannerisms and vocal sounds that established his unique identity and popularity. Samuel "Shemp" Howard Although Moe did not rule out Curly’s eventual return, he immediately floated the idea of replacing him with Shemp Howard.  Shemp was in the midst of a reasonably successful career as a contract player appearing in numerous studio produced comedies, most notably in The Bank Dick with WC Fields but he quickly agreed to replace his brother in what was initially supposed to be a temporary fix.  As stipulated in their original agreement, Moe submitted a letter to Curly, formalizing Shemp’s temporary replacement which was signed in September of 1946. Stooges, mid-Thirties, with Curly in full swing
Coinciding with these personal challenges, Curley’s physical condition began to affect his film performances, becoming increasingly evident on film.  He could no longer incorporate the physicality of previous antics, pratfalls and improvisational floor spinning.  Heavy drinking also removed his ability to make the high pitched sounds that initially made him unique.  He barely could remember his lines.  On May 6, 1946, while literally in the middle of filming the Stooges’ 97film, Half Wits Holiday, Howard suffered the first of...]]>1565falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-three-stooges-uniquely-american-part-two--69653662Stooges, with Shemp after Curly's stroke Conversely, Columbia was rather cold hearted, quickly billing Moe, Larry and Shemp as the Original Three Stooges, a designation that was actually historically accurate.  From a production perspective, although unable to duplicate the unique persona of Curly, Shemp was an experienced and disciplined actor who was always prepared and professional.  And he would do anything for a laugh. Emil Sitka, in "Brideless Groom" One of the most iconic Stooges efforts ever, Brideless Groom, filmed shortly after Shemp replaced Curly, featured non stop violence directed mostly in his direction.  The plot concerns his efforts as a vocal instructor, Larry serving as pianist for an especially untalented and unattractive Miss Dinklemayer.  After Shemp’s tutorial ends and the unfortunate Dinklemayer exits, he is suddenly confronted by Moe who tells him that his Uncle Caleb has died and left him $500,000, providing that Shemp is married within 48 hours of reading Caleb’s will. Poster for "Brideless Groom" A telegram underlines that Shemp actually has only seven hours to make the deadline.  Sequentially, after Shemp admits to having a black book filled with female telephone possibilities, both Moe and Larry grab him by the scalp and drag him towards a phone booth on their hotel floor.  When these calls lead to failure, Moe intercedes, only to hopelessly entangle the both of them to near strangulation.  Escape occurs by destroying the phone booth completely.  With time running out, the Stooges return to their hotel room, discovering that a remarkably attractive woman is checking in across the hall.  To make a realistic proposal, it is decided that Shemp needs an immediate makeover.  Moe and Larry prepare shemp’s wardrobe, a process that includes furniture broken cranially, sewing needles thrust into Shemp’s calves, and boiling water equally distributed facially.  Doris Houck, infamous vice wielder in "Brideless Groom" Appearing before a justice of the peace, Moe receives a telephone call warning him that all of the women who Shemp phoned earlier have read about Shemp’s potential inheritance.  They are due to arrive at the Justice’s locale at any minute.  When asked to produce the ring Shemp manages to inadvertently toss it into the interior of a nearby piano. Predictably, before the jewelry is retrieved, the lid is repeatedly dropped on Shemp’s head by an impatient Moe.  Eventually, Shemp is propped up and ready to procede.  With an enthusiastic, “Join hands you lovebirds,” the JP prepares to begin the ceremony, only to be abruptly interrupted by five women who are now also intent on marrying Shemp.  In the ensuing fracas, one especially aggressive female prevents the Justice from continuing by slamming an occupied bird cage over his head, knocking him insensate.  She then places Shemp’s head in a vise, demanding that he marry her.  With each refusal she gleefully tightens the device, Shemp eventually reluctantly succumbing to her demands. Curly's grave, Whittier, California Brideless Groom went on to be one of the most famous Stooges episodes in the group’s career.  The comedy not only featured one of the first appearances by character actor Emil Sitka as the Justice of the Peace, it also was one of four Stooge films that inadvertently entered into the public domain when a copyright was not properly renewed.  For several decades television stations repeatedly ran the episode across America, generating unusually constant exposure and eventual status as a quintessential Stooge classic.  With these types of efforts, Shemp Howard was able to help the trio to successfully continue after Curly’s sudden departure.  This was fortunate as Curly proved unable to ever return, appearing only in two brief cameos, the latter appearance in 1949 so poor that it was cut from the film Malice in the Palace.  A second stroke initially put him in a wheel chair and while a partial recovery allowed him to become ambulatory, any resumption of his film career was unthinkable.  His health continued to deteriorate and institutionalization, first at the Motion Picture hospital and then in a succession of nursing homes selected by Moe.  On January 18, 1952, bedridden and no longer able to even speak, Jerome (Curly) Howard passed away at a local that sounded like a fictional setting in one of their films, the Baldy View Sanitarium in San Gabriel, California.  He was only 48 years old.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=1009Sat, 28 Aug 2021 07:28:28 +0000Philip D. GibbonsA uniquely American institution. Stooges, with Shemp after Curly's stroke Conversely, Columbia was rather cold hearted, quickly billing Moe, Larry and Shemp as the Original Three Stooges, a designation that was actually historically accurate.  From...Stooges, with Shemp after Curly's stroke Conversely, Columbia was rather cold hearted, quickly billing Moe, Larry and Shemp as the Original Three Stooges, a designation that was actually historically accurate.  From a production perspective, although unable to duplicate the unique persona of Curly, Shemp was an experienced and disciplined actor who was always prepared and professional.  And he would do anything for a laugh. Emil Sitka, in "Brideless Groom" One of the most iconic Stooges efforts ever, Brideless Groom, filmed shortly after Shemp replaced Curly, featured non stop violence directed mostly in his direction.  The plot concerns his efforts as a vocal instructor, Larry serving as pianist for an especially untalented and unattractive Miss Dinklemayer.  After Shemp’s tutorial ends and the unfortunate Dinklemayer exits, he is suddenly confronted by Moe who tells him that his Uncle Caleb has died and left him $500,000, providing that Shemp is married within 48 hours of reading Caleb’s will. Poster for "Brideless Groom" A telegram underlines that Shemp actually has only seven hours to make the deadline.  Sequentially, after Shemp admits to having a black book filled with female telephone possibilities, both Moe and Larry grab him by the scalp and drag him towards a phone booth on their hotel floor.  When these calls lead to failure, Moe intercedes, only to hopelessly entangle the both of them to near strangulation.  Escape occurs by destroying the phone booth completely.  With time running out, the Stooges return to their hotel room, discovering that a remarkably attractive woman is checking in across the hall.  To make a realistic proposal, it is decided that Shemp needs an immediate makeover.  Moe and Larry prepare shemp’s wardrobe, a process that includes furniture broken cranially, sewing needles thrust into Shemp’s calves, and boiling water equally distributed facially.  Doris Houck, infamous vice wielder in "Brideless Groom" Appearing before a justice of the peace, Moe receives a telephone call warning him that all of the women who Shemp phoned earlier have read about Shemp’s potential inheritance.  They are due to arrive at the Justice’s locale at any minute.  When asked to produce the ring Shemp manages to inadvertently toss it into the interior of a nearby piano. Predictably, before the jewelry is retrieved, the lid is repeatedly dropped on Shemp’s head by an impatient Moe.  Eventually, Shemp is propped up and ready to procede.  With an enthusiastic, “Join hands you lovebirds,” the JP prepares to begin the ceremony, only to be abruptly interrupted by five women who are now also intent on marrying Shemp.  In the ensuing fracas, one especially aggressive female prevents the Justice from continuing by slamming an occupied bird cage over his head, knocking him insensate.  She then places Shemp’s head in a vise, demanding that he marry her.  With each refusal she gleefully tightens the device, Shemp eventually reluctantly succumbing to her demands. Curly's grave, Whittier, California Brideless Groom went on to be one of the most famous Stooges episodes in the group’s career.  The comedy not only featured one of the first...]]>1883falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/howard-carter-and-the-treasure-of-tutankhamun-s-tomb-part-one--69653663Howard Carter From the age of 17, Englishman Howard Carter worked in Egypt in the field of archeology.  In the late nineteenth century with color photography as yet unavailable Carter was Initially hired as an artist in October of 1891 to paint and sketch the discoveries of the archeological excavations of the period.  Eventually trained as an Egyptologist, Carter quickly became prominent and by the age of 25 was named an inspector general of the Egyptian Antiquities Service. George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon.  The Earl initially spent time in Egypt to escape the damp British climate which exacerbated a lung condition.  He became interested in archeology but quickly recognized that as an amateur he needed to partner with an expert in the field.  Initially, this relationship was fruitful and Carter’s excavations near Luxor produced many items of value and interest. The funeral mask of Tutankhamun The funeral mask of Tutankhamen, one of the most remarkable objects ever discovered on the planet Earth Facial detail from the solid gold, eight hundred pound third coffin After Carter determined how to separate the second coffin from the third and last coffin shell, he was confronted by an object, similar in design to the first two but constructed entirely of gold.  It weighed over eight hundred pounds and contained the mummy itself.  Inlaid semi precious materials colorfully delineated the facial features, ceremonial beard and vulture and cobra festooned crown of Tutankhamun. Carnarvon, his daughter and Howard Carter at the excavation site “At last, have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact; recovered same for your arrival; congratulations.”  In anticipation of accessing the tomb upon Carnarvon’s arrival, Carter completely reburied the staircase and placed giant boulders on top of the location.  Knowing that information about his discovery undoubtedly would reach all sorts of entities intent on exploiting such a potential treasure, armed guards were also stationed at the location.  Carter went to Alexandria, awaiting Carnarvon’s arrival and by November 23rd both Carnarvon and his daughter arrived back in Egypt.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=996Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:01:22 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAfter searching the Valley of the Kings for decades, for a tomb that every other expert in Egyptology declared nonexistent, Howard Carter eventually discovered the most important archeological find of the 20th century. Howard Carter From the age of...Howard Carter From the age of 17, Englishman Howard Carter worked in Egypt in the field of archeology.  In the late nineteenth century with color photography as yet unavailable Carter was Initially hired as an artist in October of 1891 to paint and sketch the discoveries of the archeological excavations of the period.  Eventually trained as an Egyptologist, Carter quickly became prominent and by the age of 25 was named an inspector general of the Egyptian Antiquities Service. George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon.  The Earl initially spent time in Egypt to escape the damp British climate which exacerbated a lung condition.  He became interested in archeology but quickly recognized that as an amateur he needed to partner with an expert in the field.  Initially, this relationship was fruitful and Carter’s excavations near Luxor produced many items of value and interest. The funeral mask of Tutankhamun The funeral mask of Tutankhamen, one of the most remarkable objects ever discovered on the planet Earth Facial detail from the solid gold, eight hundred pound third coffin After Carter determined how to separate the second coffin from the third and last coffin shell, he was confronted by an object, similar in design to the first two but constructed entirely of gold.  It weighed over eight hundred pounds and contained the mummy itself.  Inlaid semi precious materials colorfully delineated the facial features, ceremonial beard and vulture and cobra festooned crown of Tutankhamun. Carnarvon, his daughter and Howard Carter at the excavation site “At last, have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact; recovered same for your arrival; congratulations.”  In anticipation of accessing the tomb upon Carnarvon’s arrival, Carter completely reburied the staircase and placed giant boulders on top of the location.  Knowing that information about his discovery undoubtedly would reach all sorts of entities intent on exploiting such a potential treasure, armed guards were also stationed at the location.  Carter went to Alexandria, awaiting Carnarvon’s arrival and by November 23rd both Carnarvon and his daughter arrived back in Egypt.  ]]>1624falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/howard-carter-and-the-treasure-of-tutankhamun-s-tomb-part-two--69653653Anubis, God of the Dead
Alabaster ceremonial cup from the tomb of Tutankhamen
The Lotus Bust of Tutankhamen, which raised suspicion about Carter's methodology
Detail from the second wooden coffin
The Carnarvon ancestral home, Highclere castle aka as Downton Abbey
]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=989Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:00:32 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAfter searching the Valley of the Kings for decades, for a tomb that every other expert in Egyptology declared nonexistent, Howard Carter eventually discovered the most important archeological find of the 20th century. Anubis, God of the Dead...Anubis, God of the Dead
Alabaster ceremonial cup from the tomb of Tutankhamen
The Lotus Bust of Tutankhamen, which raised suspicion about Carter's methodology
Detail from the second wooden coffin
The Carnarvon ancestral home, Highclere castle aka as Downton Abbey
]]>1805falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fletcher-christian-william-bligh-and-the-mutiny-on-the-bounty-part-one--69653665Fletcher Christian Initially, Fletcher Christian was not destined for a naval career.  He was Born on the 25th of September, 1764 in the Cumbrian village of Eaglesfield. His father, Charles, was a wealthy attorney originally from the Isle of Man.  Descended from several generations of Manx judiciary, it was the senior Christian’s original aim that all three of his sons get an education and pursue the law.  Ann Christian, Fletcher’s mother, had brought her ancestral home of Moorland Close into the marriage and initially the family lived a prosperous existence as landed gentry.  Unfortunately, Charles Christian died when Fletcher was four years old and his mother continued to spend and live lavishly, despite the lack of any meaningful income.  Eventually, despite being bailed out a few times by wealthy relatives, Ann Christian fled to the Isle of Man, where she subsisted on a small annuity, safe from any prosecution for the massive debt she accrued during Fletcher’s childhood. William Bligh Through family connections, Christian approached Lieutenant William Bligh, also currently relegated to commanding ships involved in the rum and sugar trade of the Caribbean.  Although Bligh was underemployed in his current position, he had a reputation as a skillful navigator who had served with Captain Cook, during Cook’s third and final voyage.  Christian casts off 18 members of the Bounty, including Captain Bligh just before dawn on April 28, 1789, four men entered Bligh’s cabin while he was sleeping and quickly subdued and tied the Lieutenant’s wrists behind his back.  Christian, along with Charles Churchill, John Mills and Thomas Burkett were armed with weapons removed from the ship’s armory and they dragged Bligh on deck.  Although told to keep quiet, Bligh began yelling, waking other officers, including John Fryer who was warned by the armed group not to leave his cabin.  On deck Bligh continued shouting at the various crew members who were either mocking their commander or anxiously hoping to accompany him, regardless of the uncertainty.  Initially, Christian now brandishing a bayonet to intimidate those who might attempt to physically subdue him, lowered a small boat that could hold only Bligh and a few other men.  Unseaworthy and unable to hold all of the men who demanded to leave, Christian then agreed to put the Bounty’s launch into the water.  This craft was 23 feet long, about seven feet wide and allowed for a sail that gave its occupants some ability to navigate.  Normally designed for at most fifteen occupants, 18 crew members squeezed into the launch, with Bligh eventually forced to join them. Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh in the MGM 1935, "Mutiny On The Bounty
Peter Heywood Within hours, two other men, Peter Heywood and George Stewart emerged from the island and boarded the Pandora.  All three men denied any responsibility for the mutiny, Coleman previously identified by Bligh himself as one of the crew members who was loyal but forced to stay behind.  Heywood asked Hayward to absolve him of any blame but Hayward was noncommittal.  The ruthlessness of Edwards was underlined by his subsequent order to immediately confine all three men in irons.  He maintained that it was not up to him to render a judgement on guilt or innocence in the matter, that was the responsibility of a subsequent court martial upon the Pandora’s return to England. John Adams Smith, a former deserter whose real name was John Adams, relaxed when Folger explained that he actually was not from England but from America.  The captain of the Topaz was correct in that Smith aka Adams had no idea what America was but he opened up about what had happened once the Bounty arrived on Pitcairn.  The nine mutineers divided up all of the land and expropriated most of the women as their wives.  The six Tahitian men were treated as slaves and eventually rebelled and killed five of the mutineers, including Fletcher Christian.  Because many of the Tahitian women were romantically involved with the dead mutineers, they were angry and subsequently murdered all of the Tahitian men.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=975Thu, 20 May 2021 05:03:22 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFletcher Christian and William Bligh are permanently linked to the Mutiny on the Bounty. Listen to the true story of this infamous incident. Fletcher Christian Initially, Fletcher Christian was not destined for a naval career.  He was Born on the...Fletcher Christian Initially, Fletcher Christian was not destined for a naval career.  He was Born on the 25th of September, 1764 in the Cumbrian village of Eaglesfield. His father, Charles, was a wealthy attorney originally from the Isle of Man.  Descended from several generations of Manx judiciary, it was the senior Christian’s original aim that all three of his sons get an education and pursue the law.  Ann Christian, Fletcher’s mother, had brought her ancestral home of Moorland Close into the marriage and initially the family lived a prosperous existence as landed gentry.  Unfortunately, Charles Christian died when Fletcher was four years old and his mother continued to spend and live lavishly, despite the lack of any meaningful income.  Eventually, despite being bailed out a few times by wealthy relatives, Ann Christian fled to the Isle of Man, where she subsisted on a small annuity, safe from any prosecution for the massive debt she accrued during Fletcher’s childhood. William Bligh Through family connections, Christian approached Lieutenant William Bligh, also currently relegated to commanding ships involved in the rum and sugar trade of the Caribbean.  Although Bligh was underemployed in his current position, he had a reputation as a skillful navigator who had served with Captain Cook, during Cook’s third and final voyage.  Christian casts off 18 members of the Bounty, including Captain Bligh just before dawn on April 28, 1789, four men entered Bligh’s cabin while he was sleeping and quickly subdued and tied the Lieutenant’s wrists behind his back.  Christian, along with Charles Churchill, John Mills and Thomas Burkett were armed with weapons removed from the ship’s armory and they dragged Bligh on deck.  Although told to keep quiet, Bligh began yelling, waking other officers, including John Fryer who was warned by the armed group not to leave his cabin.  On deck Bligh continued shouting at the various crew members who were either mocking their commander or anxiously hoping to accompany him, regardless of the uncertainty.  Initially, Christian now brandishing a bayonet to intimidate those who might attempt to physically subdue him, lowered a small boat that could hold only Bligh and a few other men.  Unseaworthy and unable to hold all of the men who demanded to leave, Christian then agreed to put the Bounty’s launch into the water.  This craft was 23 feet long, about seven feet wide and allowed for a sail that gave its occupants some ability to navigate.  Normally designed for at most fifteen occupants, 18 crew members squeezed into the launch, with Bligh eventually forced to join them. Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh in the MGM 1935, "Mutiny On The Bounty
Peter Heywood Within hours, two other men, Peter Heywood and George Stewart emerged from the island and boarded the Pandora.  All three men denied any responsibility for the mutiny, Coleman previously identified by Bligh himself as one of the crew members who was loyal but forced to stay behind.  Heywood asked Hayward to absolve him of any blame but Hayward was noncommittal.  The ruthlessness...]]>1986falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fletcher-christian-william-bligh-and-the-mutiny-on-the-bounty-part-two--69653669Wreck of the HMS Pandora The Pandora, towing a launch constructed by the mutineers during their stint on Tahiti, reached the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef in late August. Whether he was careless or stupidly sailing in the dark, Edwards struck a reef on the 29th, the collision so severe that the ship took on four feet of water in five minutes.  Throughout the night, desperate efforts were made to save the vessel and three of the men classified by Bligh as blameless in the mutiny, Coleman, McIntosh and Norman were let out of the enclosure.  They helped with attempts to pump water out of the ship to no avail.  The other trapped mutineers, hearing sounds of the crew abandoning ship, attempted to get out of their manacles and screamed for help.  Only the last minute personal intervention of a crew member allowed any of the remaining eleven prisoners to escape.  Fletcher Christian's son, Thursday October Christian The two ships, the HMS Briton and the HMS Tagus, were searching for the American ship USS Essex.  This American raider, not to be confused with the whaler Essex of Moby Dick fame, was in the process of terrorizing British merchant and whaling ships in the region to the extent that the Royal Navy was forced to deploy several warships to put a stop to this War of 1812 US rampage.  On September 17, 1814, as the two ships and their captains Sit Thomas Staines and Philip Pipon puzzled over the unidentified rock in front of them, they could see some natives launching their canoes into the surf.  Like Folger before them, they were stunned when the canoe pulled alongside the boat and an occupant who turned out to be Thursday October Christian, now 24 years old, hailed them in English.  He and another teenager, George Young, the son of Bounty mutineer, Edward Young came on board and were asked to join the officers for a meal. Dressed in minimal Polynesian garb, Fletcher Christian’s son further astonished and ingratiated himself by breaking into Christian prayer before dinner was served. Pitcairn Island It is believed that in Bligh’s library, Christian stumbled upon a 1773 journal written by English naval explorer Philip Carteret which gave the location of an obscure island, Pitcairn Island.  Almost four months after leaving Tahiti, the Bounty arrived at the supposed location of Pitcairn but there was nothing there.  Figuring that Carteret may have made a navigational error, Christian sailed along the same latitude, assuming that the longitude was incorrect.  Within days, the rocky, frequently inaccessible and uninhabited island was sighted, on January 15, 1790, approximately 190 miles east of Carteret’s faulty designation. The epic remake of The Mutiny Of The Bounty, a notorious box office flop
The replica of the Bounty, built for the 1962 film, it sank off of North Carolina, during Hurricane Sandy
]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=966Thu, 20 May 2021 04:24:12 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFletcher Christian And William Bligh are permanently linked to the Mutiny on the Bounty. Here is the true story of this infamous incident. Wreck of the HMS Pandora The Pandora, towing a launch constructed by the mutineers during their stint on...Wreck of the HMS Pandora The Pandora, towing a launch constructed by the mutineers during their stint on Tahiti, reached the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef in late August. Whether he was careless or stupidly sailing in the dark, Edwards struck a reef on the 29th, the collision so severe that the ship took on four feet of water in five minutes.  Throughout the night, desperate efforts were made to save the vessel and three of the men classified by Bligh as blameless in the mutiny, Coleman, McIntosh and Norman were let out of the enclosure.  They helped with attempts to pump water out of the ship to no avail.  The other trapped mutineers, hearing sounds of the crew abandoning ship, attempted to get out of their manacles and screamed for help.  Only the last minute personal intervention of a crew member allowed any of the remaining eleven prisoners to escape.  Fletcher Christian's son, Thursday October Christian The two ships, the HMS Briton and the HMS Tagus, were searching for the American ship USS Essex.  This American raider, not to be confused with the whaler Essex of Moby Dick fame, was in the process of terrorizing British merchant and whaling ships in the region to the extent that the Royal Navy was forced to deploy several warships to put a stop to this War of 1812 US rampage.  On September 17, 1814, as the two ships and their captains Sit Thomas Staines and Philip Pipon puzzled over the unidentified rock in front of them, they could see some natives launching their canoes into the surf.  Like Folger before them, they were stunned when the canoe pulled alongside the boat and an occupant who turned out to be Thursday October Christian, now 24 years old, hailed them in English.  He and another teenager, George Young, the son of Bounty mutineer, Edward Young came on board and were asked to join the officers for a meal. Dressed in minimal Polynesian garb, Fletcher Christian’s son further astonished and ingratiated himself by breaking into Christian prayer before dinner was served. Pitcairn Island It is believed that in Bligh’s library, Christian stumbled upon a 1773 journal written by English naval explorer Philip Carteret which gave the location of an obscure island, Pitcairn Island.  Almost four months after leaving Tahiti, the Bounty arrived at the supposed location of Pitcairn but there was nothing there.  Figuring that Carteret may have made a navigational error, Christian sailed along the same latitude, assuming that the longitude was incorrect.  Within days, the rocky, frequently inaccessible and uninhabited island was sighted, on January 15, 1790, approximately 190 miles east of Carteret’s faulty designation. The epic remake of The Mutiny Of The Bounty, a notorious box office flop
The replica of the Bounty, built for the 1962 film, it sank off of North Carolina, during Hurricane Sandy
]]>2256falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/alfred-hitchcock-pioneer-auteur-part-one--69653651Publicity photo for The Birds, early sixties.
A photo of Hitchcock, early in his career Hitchcock broke into show business by getting a job with the newly arrived motion picture studio Famous Players-Lasky British Producers, a venture associated with Paramount Pictures.  He was to design the captions that accompanied the action in the studio’s silent films.  Initially, a part time employee, Hitchcock worked hard, keeping his day job at Henley’s but eventually landing full time at Famous Players Lasky in 1921. Peter Lorre, The Man Who Knew Too Much Hitchcock spent the next few years directing and producing various dramas, thrillers and even a musical revue before his 1934 effort, The Man Who Knew Too Much.  Possessing the same title as his subsequent 1956 effort with Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart, the film has a similar plot involving kidnapping, political assassination and criminal intrigue.  It also cast Peter Lorre, having recently fled Germany after his great success in the Fritz Lang classic, “M.”  Lorre, who was Jewish and was uncomfortable with Hitler’s acquisition of political power, barely spoke English and ingratiated himself with the director by anticipating when Hitchcock, already a budding raconteur, would finish a story, laughing noisily despite not understanding a word of the anecdote.  For the part, the Hungarian born actor had to learn his lines phonetically.  Lorre’s mysteriously interesting face was featured on the film’s poster and “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” was received with great acclaim and popularity, reaffirming Hitchcock as a major figure in British cinema. Alma Hitchcock, Joan Harrison, and Hitchcock's daughter, Patricia Hitchcock was headed to greener pastures in the United States.  Sailing on the Queen Mary on March 1, 1939 with his family, his personal secretary, Joan Harrison, two servants and two dogs, he and his wife were eager to leave.  They believed that Hitchcock had accomplished everything he could possibly achieve in Britain and Hollywood allowed him much greater opportunity.  He could afford his entourage, having signed a five-picture deal with David O. Selznick, with a guaranteed $50,000 salary for his first picture, Rebecca.  Olivier and Fontaine in Rebecca                                                                                           If Hitchcock’s personality included a desire for complete control, he certainly met his match in David O. Selznick.  The director’s adaptation and script outline for Rebecca, that also contained as always contributions from his wife, was summarily rejected with any attempts at including characteristic humor deemed inappropriate.  In one of his famously lengthy and detailed memos, the producer stated in the first sentence that “he was shocked and disappointed beyond words,” and declared that the film must be a completely faithful rendition of the novel with a focus on retaining its serious tone.  He also made it quite clear that the final version of the film would be his and his alone.  An additional headache was Laurence Olivier, so miffed that his wife Vivien Leigh wasn’t cast in the film that he took it out on the eventual female lead Joan Fontaine.  If there wasn’t enough tension on the set, the beginning of World War II in Europe coincided with the first week of shooting.  The production was a predictable struggle of wills, Hitchcock sticking to his style of only shooting scenes from an angle or perspective he ultimately would use in a final edit and Selznick wanting vastly more material to select during the editing process.  Clearly, it was not a creatively happy marriage.  But, probably as a tribute to both men’s ability, the resulting film was a commercial success and the Best Picture of 1940.  Fontaine’s performance was academy nominated for Best Actress, the twenty-two year old probably benefiting from the director’s domineering demeanor.
Selznick and Hitchcock One aspect of the production of Rebecca that prevented any permanent damage to Hitchcock’s business relationship with Selznick was the producer’s preoccupation with the lead up to and release of Gone With The Wind.  Selznick also anticipated a profitable gambit to make money on his contract with the director without having to immediately produce another picture.  He loaned Hitchcock to independent producer Walter Wanger at a fee of $5,000 a week while he only had to pay Hitchcock $2500.  A compulsive gambler, methamphetamine addict and profligate spender, Selznick was perpetually strapped for cash.  He could also keep the director at arms-length while the two figured out how to work together in the future.  Raymond Burr as the murderer in the climactic scene of Rear Window. Note resemblance to Selznick Hitchcock began filming Rear Window in November, 1953, only weeks after completing Dial M for Murder.  His enthusiasm combined with his established crew of technical associates handling wardrobe, script supervision, music soundtrack, sound technicians and a stage set so large Hitchcock frequently needed a walkie-talkie to communicate with his cast produced a remarkable effort.  Although this was a complex project, it went as smoothly as any Hitchcock production, Hitch even enjoying the practical joke of having Raymond Burr, the film’s villain made up to look exactly like David O. Selznick.  Box office was sensational and the critical response transcended the usual Hitchcock accolades. Robert Walker as Bruno Antony Robert Walker’s Bruno Antony pushed the limits in a Hitchcock film, strangling his victim onscreen and employing a nasty malevolence unlike any previous Hitchcock character.  His borderline personality is underlined by a Hitchcock designed tie embellished with closed-clawed lobsters and a garishly over-the-top smoking jacket that screams twisted among other things.  In selecting Walker, Hitchcock made a curious casting choice relative to his former colleague David O Selznick.  Walker was deeply upset by the 1943 collapse of his marriage to Jennifer Jones.   Jones’ affair with Selznick was the worst kept secret in Hollywood and Jones left Walker while both were performing in a 1943 Selznick produced film. Her subsequent marriage to the much more powerful producer depressed and humiliated Walker.  When cast in Strangers On A Train, the actor had spent the previous year in a mental hospital battling alcoholism and a psychiatric disorder. Perhaps Hitchcock sensed that to achieve a realistic portrayal of a an individual with a tenuous grip on sanity, he needed to use someone truly familiar with such mania.  Walker’s portrayal of an intensely destructive personality enhances the film’s climax which utilizes an amusement park merry-go-round that goes flying out of control graphically hurling debris into a cloud of onlookers.  That Hitchcock accomplished this by blowing up a toy carousel and enlarging the result does not diminish the sense of realistically violent destruction. Doris Day, sings Que Sera, Sera in the 1955 remake of The Man who Knew Too Much
In 1955, With Grace Kelly intent on bigger things, Hitchcock was forced to find another actress for his next film, a remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much, a project that the director had envisioned for many years.  Characteristically, possibly because he would not be the center of attention, Hitchcock eventually turned down an invitation to one of the most high profile events of the decade, the marriage of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainer of Monaco.  Instead Hitch focused on his next project.  A combo of international intrigue, politics and domestic drama, the film meanders for close to two hours but has enough suspense, scenic visuals and plot twists to establish it as theatrically successful.  Considered a cut below some of the other Paramount efforts, the film still holds up today as memorable, especially the Academy Award winning song Que Sera, Sera written especially for the film and presented by Doris Day. ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=945Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:57:00 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn his sixty year career, Alfred Hitchcock established himself as one of the most important cultural figures of the 20th century Publicity photo for The Birds, early sixties. A photo of Hitchcock, early in his career Hitchcock broke into show...Publicity photo for The Birds, early sixties.
A photo of Hitchcock, early in his career Hitchcock broke into show business by getting a job with the newly arrived motion picture studio Famous Players-Lasky British Producers, a venture associated with Paramount Pictures.  He was to design the captions that accompanied the action in the studio’s silent films.  Initially, a part time employee, Hitchcock worked hard, keeping his day job at Henley’s but eventually landing full time at Famous Players Lasky in 1921. Peter Lorre, The Man Who Knew Too Much Hitchcock spent the next few years directing and producing various dramas, thrillers and even a musical revue before his 1934 effort, The Man Who Knew Too Much.  Possessing the same title as his subsequent 1956 effort with Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart, the film has a similar plot involving kidnapping, political assassination and criminal intrigue.  It also cast Peter Lorre, having recently fled Germany after his great success in the Fritz Lang classic, “M.”  Lorre, who was Jewish and was uncomfortable with Hitler’s acquisition of political power, barely spoke English and ingratiated himself with the director by anticipating when Hitchcock, already a budding raconteur, would finish a story, laughing noisily despite not understanding a word of the anecdote.  For the part, the Hungarian born actor had to learn his lines phonetically.  Lorre’s mysteriously interesting face was featured on the film’s poster and “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” was received with great acclaim and popularity, reaffirming Hitchcock as a major figure in British cinema. Alma Hitchcock, Joan Harrison, and Hitchcock's daughter, Patricia Hitchcock was headed to greener pastures in the United States.  Sailing on the Queen Mary on March 1, 1939 with his family, his personal secretary, Joan Harrison, two servants and two dogs, he and his wife were eager to leave.  They believed that Hitchcock had accomplished everything he could possibly achieve in Britain and Hollywood allowed him much greater opportunity.  He could afford his entourage, having signed a five-picture deal with David O. Selznick, with a guaranteed $50,000 salary for his first picture, Rebecca.  Olivier and Fontaine in Rebecca                                                                                           If Hitchcock’s personality included a desire for complete control, he certainly met his match in David O. Selznick.  The director’s adaptation and script outline for Rebecca, that also contained as always contributions from his wife, was summarily rejected with any attempts at including characteristic humor deemed inappropriate.  In one of his famously lengthy and detailed memos, the producer stated in the first sentence that “he was shocked and disappointed beyond words,” and declared that the film must be a completely faithful rendition of the novel with a focus on retaining its serious tone.  He also made it quite clear that the final version of the film would be his and his alone.  An additional headache was Laurence Olivier, so miffed that his wife Vivien Leigh wasn’t cast in the film...]]>2771falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/alfred-hitchcock-pioneer-auteur-part-two--69653638Robert Walker and Farley Granger in Strangers on a Train   Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly in Rear Window   Grace Kelly, publicity photo for Rear Window Vertigo movie poster   With Kim Novak on the set of Vertigo   Cary Grant, North by Northwest   Eva Marie Saint, North by Northwest   Hitchcock at Mount Rushmore   Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren on the set of Marnie   Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor in The Birds   Hitchcock never won an Academy Award but did receive the Academy's Lifetime Achievement award in 1968  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=932Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:56:22 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn his sixty year career, Alfred Hitchcock established himself as one of the most important cultural figures of the 20th century. Robert Walker and Farley Granger in Strangers on a Train   Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly in Rear Window   Grace...Robert Walker and Farley Granger in Strangers on a Train   Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly in Rear Window   Grace Kelly, publicity photo for Rear Window Vertigo movie poster   With Kim Novak on the set of Vertigo   Cary Grant, North by Northwest   Eva Marie Saint, North by Northwest   Hitchcock at Mount Rushmore   Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren on the set of Marnie   Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor in The Birds   Hitchcock never won an Academy Award but did receive the Academy's Lifetime Achievement award in 1968  ]]>2234falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/billy-the-kid-desperado-part-one--69653658The only authenticated photo of Billy the Kid, taken in 1880 Over one hundred films have portrayed him in various scenarios ranging from predictable western themes to plots even involving Count Dracula.  He is the subject of music composed by the likes of Aaron Copland, Bob Dylan and Billy Joel.  Dead at the age of twenty-one, the Kid’s exploits were national news in his own lifetime, despite the reality that he was essentially a nineteenth century gang member, who merely possessed a penchant for dramatic and occasionally violent escape. John Tunstall Tunstall’s father was a successful merchant with interests in Canada and his son emigrated to the southwestern US, believing that the rapidly growing area had unlimited economic potential.  Settling in Lincoln County, Tunstall, only 22, partnered with Alexander McSween, a Canadian lawyer and former employee of The House.  Together they opened up a business and bank in Lincoln that competed directly with Dolan and Murphy.  This newly established entity’s other partner was John Chisum, one of the wealthiest ranchers in the southwest.  His herd of cattle numbered over 100,000 and ranged over New Mexico property that covered over 150 miles.  Tunstall offered cheaper prices and ethical business practices to the citizens of Lincoln and by early 1878, the House was headed for economic ruin. Alexander McSween A lawyer, Alexander McSween, became involved in complicated litigation over proceeds of a life insurance policy that he eventually obtained for his client.  But, because this money involved one of Dolan’s business partners, McSween did not want to release it, presuming that Dolan would eventually gain control of the cash.  This resulted in one of the heirs filing both criminal and civil charges of embezzlement against McSween.  This matter was litigated in the nearby town of Mesilla and while McSween was able to postpone any criminal charges, he left the proceeding before being informed that the judge had issued a writ attaching his property for the sum of 10,000 dollars.  Dolan, also present in Mesilla, quickly returned to Lincoln ahead of McSween and had Brady the Sheriff form a posse and occupy McSween and Tunstall’s property. Sheriff William Brady For years, two merchants, Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan, operated a large store in the center of Lincoln, New Mexico.  This establishment was a monopoly that gouged the locals for basic necessities and clothing and was known negatively as “The House.”  Dolan and Murphy, Civil War veterans, also used their military contacts to provide beef for nearby military installations, a trade marked by shady practices and stolen cattle.  Any local residents who even thought of competing were intimidated by The House’s known connections, not only to Jesse Evans and The Boys but even to the County Sheriff, William Brady. One of two Billy the Kid headstones in Fort Sumner, New Mexico In 2004, a legal fight over an attempt to exhume the bodies of both Billy the Kid and his mother went nowhere, stoking even more rumors that the purported grave of Billy the Kid is actually empty, a secret the town fathers would just as soon you not know.  The graveyard, Pete Maxwell’s house and much of Fort Sumner was rearranged when the Pecos River decided to alter its course over time.  However, the town cemetery today contains not one but two markers devoted to Billy the Kid, both additions installed long after his original burial.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=918Fri, 29 Jan 2021 07:16:26 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAlthough he never robbed a bank or a train, never fought a traditional duel and didn't drink, Billy the Kid remains one of America's most notorious outlaws. The only authenticated photo of Billy the Kid, taken in 1880 Over one hundred films have...The only authenticated photo of Billy the Kid, taken in 1880 Over one hundred films have portrayed him in various scenarios ranging from predictable western themes to plots even involving Count Dracula.  He is the subject of music composed by the likes of Aaron Copland, Bob Dylan and Billy Joel.  Dead at the age of twenty-one, the Kid’s exploits were national news in his own lifetime, despite the reality that he was essentially a nineteenth century gang member, who merely possessed a penchant for dramatic and occasionally violent escape. John Tunstall Tunstall’s father was a successful merchant with interests in Canada and his son emigrated to the southwestern US, believing that the rapidly growing area had unlimited economic potential.  Settling in Lincoln County, Tunstall, only 22, partnered with Alexander McSween, a Canadian lawyer and former employee of The House.  Together they opened up a business and bank in Lincoln that competed directly with Dolan and Murphy.  This newly established entity’s other partner was John Chisum, one of the wealthiest ranchers in the southwest.  His herd of cattle numbered over 100,000 and ranged over New Mexico property that covered over 150 miles.  Tunstall offered cheaper prices and ethical business practices to the citizens of Lincoln and by early 1878, the House was headed for economic ruin. Alexander McSween A lawyer, Alexander McSween, became involved in complicated litigation over proceeds of a life insurance policy that he eventually obtained for his client.  But, because this money involved one of Dolan’s business partners, McSween did not want to release it, presuming that Dolan would eventually gain control of the cash.  This resulted in one of the heirs filing both criminal and civil charges of embezzlement against McSween.  This matter was litigated in the nearby town of Mesilla and while McSween was able to postpone any criminal charges, he left the proceeding before being informed that the judge had issued a writ attaching his property for the sum of 10,000 dollars.  Dolan, also present in Mesilla, quickly returned to Lincoln ahead of McSween and had Brady the Sheriff form a posse and occupy McSween and Tunstall’s property. Sheriff William Brady For years, two merchants, Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan, operated a large store in the center of Lincoln, New Mexico.  This establishment was a monopoly that gouged the locals for basic necessities and clothing and was known negatively as “The House.”  Dolan and Murphy, Civil War veterans, also used their military contacts to provide beef for nearby military installations, a trade marked by shady practices and stolen cattle.  Any local residents who even thought of competing were intimidated by The House’s known connections, not only to Jesse Evans and The Boys but even to the County Sheriff, William Brady. One of two Billy the Kid headstones in Fort Sumner, New Mexico In 2004, a legal fight over an attempt to exhume the bodies of both Billy the Kid and his mother went nowhere, stoking even more rumors that the...]]>2199falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/billy-the-kid-desperado-part-two--69653644Sheriff Pat Garrett Garrett was an acquaintance of Billy the Kid, he had even tended bar in Fort Sumner’s most popular saloon.  6’ 6”, and powerfully built, Garrett ran as an alternative to the current lawlessness in Northern New Mexico.  Federal authorities were also intent on cracking down on rampant counterfeiting through the efforts of Treasury Agent Azariah Wild, transferred to New Mexico from New Orleans.  Wild eventually deputized Garrett, as well as other locals, including Bob Olinger, to aid him in the pursuit of individuals believed involved in this scam, including Billy the Kid.  In late 1880, robbery of the US Mail wagon in the Fort Sumner area was tied to the Kid as well.  This behavior shredded the tolerance of many Fort Sumner area residents, who increasingly viewed Billy the Kid as a lawless menace, necessitating apprehension.  His notoriety was discussed in the region’s newspapers, infamy that was eventually written up in the New York Sun, the first publication to designate him with the nickname, “Billy the Kid.” General Lew Wallace, during the Civil War
President Rutherford B Hayes replaced Governor Axtell with Civil War General Lew Wallace, a bureaucratic and military jack of all trades who immediately issued a general pardon to those not indicted as well as a proclamation to allow the military to vanquish “insurrection.”  This allowed soldiers greater leeway to intercede in the civil disputes that gripped Lincoln County.  Deputy Bob Ollinger As Bob Olinger opened the gate at the side of the structure, he heard a voice coming from the nearest window on the second floor.  Looking up, the last thing he ever saw was Billy the Kid holding Olinger’s own gun, the shotgun that the deputy repeatedly taunted Billy with.  Billy the Kid poked the weapon out of the window and after greeting his jailer by simply stating “Hello, Bob,” he pulled the triggers on both barrels.  Olinger was killed instantly by the massive blast. Lincoln County Courthouse
Arriving in Lincoln on April 21, Billy the Kid was lodged not in the notoriously insecure town jail but in the newly designated county courthouse, the building formerly housing the Dolan-Murphy store run by The House.  Shackled and handcuffed, Billy was to be under constant guard in a room next to Pat Garrett’s office.  The second of two grave markers for Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner, New Mexico
]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=909Fri, 29 Jan 2021 07:06:20 +0000Philip D. GibbonsHe never robbed a bank or a train and never fought a traditional duel but Billy the Kid remains one of America's most notorious outlaws. Sheriff Pat Garrett Garrett was an acquaintance of Billy the Kid, he had even tended bar in Fort Sumner’s most...Sheriff Pat Garrett Garrett was an acquaintance of Billy the Kid, he had even tended bar in Fort Sumner’s most popular saloon.  6’ 6”, and powerfully built, Garrett ran as an alternative to the current lawlessness in Northern New Mexico.  Federal authorities were also intent on cracking down on rampant counterfeiting through the efforts of Treasury Agent Azariah Wild, transferred to New Mexico from New Orleans.  Wild eventually deputized Garrett, as well as other locals, including Bob Olinger, to aid him in the pursuit of individuals believed involved in this scam, including Billy the Kid.  In late 1880, robbery of the US Mail wagon in the Fort Sumner area was tied to the Kid as well.  This behavior shredded the tolerance of many Fort Sumner area residents, who increasingly viewed Billy the Kid as a lawless menace, necessitating apprehension.  His notoriety was discussed in the region’s newspapers, infamy that was eventually written up in the New York Sun, the first publication to designate him with the nickname, “Billy the Kid.” General Lew Wallace, during the Civil War
President Rutherford B Hayes replaced Governor Axtell with Civil War General Lew Wallace, a bureaucratic and military jack of all trades who immediately issued a general pardon to those not indicted as well as a proclamation to allow the military to vanquish “insurrection.”  This allowed soldiers greater leeway to intercede in the civil disputes that gripped Lincoln County.  Deputy Bob Ollinger As Bob Olinger opened the gate at the side of the structure, he heard a voice coming from the nearest window on the second floor.  Looking up, the last thing he ever saw was Billy the Kid holding Olinger’s own gun, the shotgun that the deputy repeatedly taunted Billy with.  Billy the Kid poked the weapon out of the window and after greeting his jailer by simply stating “Hello, Bob,” he pulled the triggers on both barrels.  Olinger was killed instantly by the massive blast. Lincoln County Courthouse
Arriving in Lincoln on April 21, Billy the Kid was lodged not in the notoriously insecure town jail but in the newly designated county courthouse, the building formerly housing the Dolan-Murphy store run by The House.  Shackled and handcuffed, Billy was to be under constant guard in a room next to Pat Garrett’s office.  The second of two grave markers for Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner, New Mexico
]]>2049falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-hall-unknown-courage-part-one--69653558Virginia Hall Virginia Hall, was savvy enough to anticipate the occupation of Vichy France and only days before the Germans stormed into the region, she made a daring escape by foot over fifty miles of the snowy, rugged Pyrenees Mountains.  In Virginia’s case it actually was one foot, her other limb having been amputated at the knee after a hunting accident in her youth. But Virginia Hall’s exploits in France were far from over and she eventually returned to the continent as one of the first recruits of the famed American OSS becoming the most decorated civilian female of World War II. Robert Alesch In early August of 1942, a new courier appeared at the offices of the French doctor who was a link in the chain that communicated with Resistance members in Paris.  Because he came with microfiche that was sure to contain valuable intelligence, knew the passwords and identifiers associated with other couriers from his Parisian network and was dressed in the robes of a priest, he was initially accepted as genuine.  He also knew one of Virginia Hall’s pseudonyms, Marie Monin and he asked for the money that she typically doled out to support activities throughout France.  Because he had not told anyone of his arrival, he was informed that the money was not available presently, but he could wait until it was available.  Instead, he replied that he would return in a week.  It was three weeks before he showed up again, but this time he was insistent that he meet with “Marie” personally.  Summoned to the doctor’s office from her nearby location, Virginia was immediately put off by the newcomer’s German accented French and his immediate request for a wireless radio.  Although he brought a personal letter of introduction from the previous courier and his arrival coincided with this individual’s request to be replaced, Virginia remained wary of the man who introduced himself as the Abbe Robert Alesch. Pierre Laval, with SS officers, 1943 One of Petain’s ministers, Pierre Laval, exploited the General’s incipient senility by filling the vacuum at the head of the Vichy Government.  Convinced that Nazi Germany would win World War II, he decided to ingratiate himself with the Nazi’s by constructing a harsh and repressive regime.  French authorities conscripted French citizens by the millions for German slave labor and eventually cooperated with the roundup of Jews for transport to the death camps of Poland. Virginia Hall, later in life, on her farm There she and her husband would live a quiet life, her health deteriorating until she was virtually incapacitated by her amputated limb, most of her time spent at home, reading and no doubt reflecting on her multifaceted service and career.  Her health necessitated hospitalization on many occasions and she passed away on July 8, 1982.  Her husband died five years later.        ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=899Tue, 05 Jan 2021 00:01:00 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAfter her rejection by the State Department, Virginia Hall became the most decorated American female civilian during World War II. Virginia Hall Virginia Hall, was savvy enough to anticipate the occupation of Vichy France and only days before the...Virginia Hall Virginia Hall, was savvy enough to anticipate the occupation of Vichy France and only days before the Germans stormed into the region, she made a daring escape by foot over fifty miles of the snowy, rugged Pyrenees Mountains.  In Virginia’s case it actually was one foot, her other limb having been amputated at the knee after a hunting accident in her youth. But Virginia Hall’s exploits in France were far from over and she eventually returned to the continent as one of the first recruits of the famed American OSS becoming the most decorated civilian female of World War II. Robert Alesch In early August of 1942, a new courier appeared at the offices of the French doctor who was a link in the chain that communicated with Resistance members in Paris.  Because he came with microfiche that was sure to contain valuable intelligence, knew the passwords and identifiers associated with other couriers from his Parisian network and was dressed in the robes of a priest, he was initially accepted as genuine.  He also knew one of Virginia Hall’s pseudonyms, Marie Monin and he asked for the money that she typically doled out to support activities throughout France.  Because he had not told anyone of his arrival, he was informed that the money was not available presently, but he could wait until it was available.  Instead, he replied that he would return in a week.  It was three weeks before he showed up again, but this time he was insistent that he meet with “Marie” personally.  Summoned to the doctor’s office from her nearby location, Virginia was immediately put off by the newcomer’s German accented French and his immediate request for a wireless radio.  Although he brought a personal letter of introduction from the previous courier and his arrival coincided with this individual’s request to be replaced, Virginia remained wary of the man who introduced himself as the Abbe Robert Alesch. Pierre Laval, with SS officers, 1943 One of Petain’s ministers, Pierre Laval, exploited the General’s incipient senility by filling the vacuum at the head of the Vichy Government.  Convinced that Nazi Germany would win World War II, he decided to ingratiate himself with the Nazi’s by constructing a harsh and repressive regime.  French authorities conscripted French citizens by the millions for German slave labor and eventually cooperated with the roundup of Jews for transport to the death camps of Poland. Virginia Hall, later in life, on her farm There she and her husband would live a quiet life, her health deteriorating until she was virtually incapacitated by her amputated limb, most of her time spent at home, reading and no doubt reflecting on her multifaceted service and career.  Her health necessitated hospitalization on many occasions and she passed away on July 8, 1982.  Her husband died five years later.        ]]>2153falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/virginia-hall-unknown-courage-part-two--69653571Fake identity card for Virginia Hall Still, two weeks after Virginia’s return, it was her mother who accompanied her to a private ceremony in Washington, where Wild Bill Donovan formally presented her with the Distinguished Service Cross.  Donovan already knew that the OSS was about to be disbanded by President Truman, the organization victim of both politics as Donovan was a prominent Republican and undermining at the hands of J. Edgar Hoover.  Virginia got a paltry check for vacation pay, Paul and thousands of others were cut loose without a dime. Philippe Petain
Petain was viewed as the country’s savior during World War I but at 83 years of age, he was nothing more than a German puppet.  His first act upon assuming control of the French government was to request an armistice which was officially signed on June 22, 1940.  Germany occupied sixty per cent of the country, including all territory bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel.  Petain was allowed to select the site of his administrative capital and he settled on the small tourist destination of Vichy.  A political conservative, Petain opposed what he considered the excesses of French Republican democracy.  What was left of the French government voted to abolish the French Republic and grant Petain virtually dictatorial powers. Petain and Hitler Many of the members of the Vichy government suffered retribution.  Pierre Laval and Henri Petain were condemned, although in light of his World War I heroics, Petain’s sentence was commuted to life.  He was confined to a small island off of Brittany, and upon his death in 1951 was unceremoniously buried there instead of the magnificent resting place previously prepared at Verdun, before the Marshal’s Nazi collaboration.  Laval was executed by firing squad. Painting of Virginia that hangs in the CIA Museum
Within days she was on the move again to Cosnes-Sur-Loire, in central France, a territory with a willing populace but no armaments to engage in any sophisticated destruction.  Again, she was able to obtain a cover as an elderly shepherd, her radio coordinating weapons drops into the region.  It was the spring of 1944, France on edge as the country waited for the inevitable invasion from across the Channel. Wild Bill Donovan awards Virginia the DSC Two weeks after Virginia’s return, it was her mother who accompanied her to a private ceremony in Washington, where Wild Bill Donovan formally presented her with the Distinguished Service Cross.  Donovan already knew that the OSS was about to be disbanded by President Truman, the organization victim of both politics as Donovan was a prominent Republican and undermining at the hands of J. Edgar Hoover.  Virginia got a paltry check for vacation pay, Paul and thousands of others were cut loose without a dime.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=892Mon, 04 Jan 2021 23:46:10 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAfter her rejection by the State Department, Virginia Hall became the most decorated American female civilian of World War II Fake identity card for Virginia Hall Still, two weeks after Virginia’s return, it was her mother who accompanied her to a...Fake identity card for Virginia Hall Still, two weeks after Virginia’s return, it was her mother who accompanied her to a private ceremony in Washington, where Wild Bill Donovan formally presented her with the Distinguished Service Cross.  Donovan already knew that the OSS was about to be disbanded by President Truman, the organization victim of both politics as Donovan was a prominent Republican and undermining at the hands of J. Edgar Hoover.  Virginia got a paltry check for vacation pay, Paul and thousands of others were cut loose without a dime. Philippe Petain
Petain was viewed as the country’s savior during World War I but at 83 years of age, he was nothing more than a German puppet.  His first act upon assuming control of the French government was to request an armistice which was officially signed on June 22, 1940.  Germany occupied sixty per cent of the country, including all territory bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel.  Petain was allowed to select the site of his administrative capital and he settled on the small tourist destination of Vichy.  A political conservative, Petain opposed what he considered the excesses of French Republican democracy.  What was left of the French government voted to abolish the French Republic and grant Petain virtually dictatorial powers. Petain and Hitler Many of the members of the Vichy government suffered retribution.  Pierre Laval and Henri Petain were condemned, although in light of his World War I heroics, Petain’s sentence was commuted to life.  He was confined to a small island off of Brittany, and upon his death in 1951 was unceremoniously buried there instead of the magnificent resting place previously prepared at Verdun, before the Marshal’s Nazi collaboration.  Laval was executed by firing squad. Painting of Virginia that hangs in the CIA Museum
Within days she was on the move again to Cosnes-Sur-Loire, in central France, a territory with a willing populace but no armaments to engage in any sophisticated destruction.  Again, she was able to obtain a cover as an elderly shepherd, her radio coordinating weapons drops into the region.  It was the spring of 1944, France on edge as the country waited for the inevitable invasion from across the Channel. Wild Bill Donovan awards Virginia the DSC Two weeks after Virginia’s return, it was her mother who accompanied her to a private ceremony in Washington, where Wild Bill Donovan formally presented her with the Distinguished Service Cross.  Donovan already knew that the OSS was about to be disbanded by President Truman, the organization victim of both politics as Donovan was a prominent Republican and undermining at the hands of J. Edgar Hoover.  Virginia got a paltry check for vacation pay, Paul and thousands of others were cut loose without a dime.]]>1682falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/captain-al-haynes-and-the-fight-to-save-united-flight-232-part-one--69653601https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=863Wed, 11 Nov 2020 23:24:39 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn July 19, 1989, United Air Lines pilot Captain Al Haynes was confronted with a mechanical failure that threatened all 296 passengers aboard his flight, United 232. The response of Haynes and his crew and the ensuing landing provided one of the most...2107falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/captain-al-haynes-and-the-fight-to-save-united-flight-232-part-two--69653646 Captain Al Haynes, Flight Attendant Susan White, with President George H. W. Bush, The White House, September 7, 1989 But the professionalism and even heroism of the entire crew received national attention and plaudits culminating with a September, 1989 visit of all of the pilots and surviving flight attendants to the White House of George Herbert Walker Bush. Michaelson family being interviewed after the crash, Sabrina is the infant, lower left  Mark Michaelson, talked about how he and his wife and three children had survived the crash.  It was Michaelson’s daughter, 11 month old Sabrina Michaelson, who Jerry Schemmel rescued from the burning  aircraft.  After the interview, Michaelson and his family met Schemmel for the first time and after an emotional discussion, agreed to keep in touch.  Michael Matz and his family watching Barbaro win the 2006 Kentucky Derby One of the two men that Jerry Schemmel observed at one of the plane’s exits helping passengers escape was named Michael Matz.  Matz was a nationally prominent equestrian show jumping rider who eventually would medal in the Olympics and was selected to carry the American flag during the US team’s participation in the procession that concluded the 1996 Olympic games.  He concluded his illustrious show jumping career in 1998 and embarked on another pursuit, training thoroughbred racehorses.  Only eight years later Matz reached the pinnacle of the sport when he successfully trained Barbaro, the dominant winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby.  Barbaro, winning 2006 Kentucky Derby Two weeks later, shortly after the start of the Preakness, Barbaro shattered many of the bones in his right rear leg.  Despite complicated surgery, extensive rehabilitation and Barbaro’s gallant will to survive, Matz had to make the agonizing decision to euthanize the animal on January 29, 2007, six months after the initial injury.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=855Wed, 11 Nov 2020 23:23:44 +0000Philip D. GibbonsOn July 19, 1989, United Air Lines pilot Captain Al Haynes was confronted with a mechanical failure that threatened all 296 passengers aboard his flight, United Flight 232. The response of Haynes and his crew and the ensuing landing provided one of... Captain Al Haynes, Flight Attendant Susan White, with President George H. W. Bush, The White House, September 7, 1989 But the professionalism and even heroism of the entire crew received national attention and plaudits culminating with a September, 1989 visit of all of the pilots and surviving flight attendants to the White House of George Herbert Walker Bush. Michaelson family being interviewed after the crash, Sabrina is the infant, lower left  Mark Michaelson, talked about how he and his wife and three children had survived the crash.  It was Michaelson’s daughter, 11 month old Sabrina Michaelson, who Jerry Schemmel rescued from the burning  aircraft.  After the interview, Michaelson and his family met Schemmel for the first time and after an emotional discussion, agreed to keep in touch.  Michael Matz and his family watching Barbaro win the 2006 Kentucky Derby One of the two men that Jerry Schemmel observed at one of the plane’s exits helping passengers escape was named Michael Matz.  Matz was a nationally prominent equestrian show jumping rider who eventually would medal in the Olympics and was selected to carry the American flag during the US team’s participation in the procession that concluded the 1996 Olympic games.  He concluded his illustrious show jumping career in 1998 and embarked on another pursuit, training thoroughbred racehorses.  Only eight years later Matz reached the pinnacle of the sport when he successfully trained Barbaro, the dominant winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby.  Barbaro, winning 2006 Kentucky Derby Two weeks later, shortly after the start of the Preakness, Barbaro shattered many of the bones in his right rear leg.  Despite complicated surgery, extensive rehabilitation and Barbaro’s gallant will to survive, Matz had to make the agonizing decision to euthanize the animal on January 29, 2007, six months after the initial injury.  ]]>1922falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gram-parsons-rock-and-roll-trailblazer-part-one--69653584https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=844Sun, 13 Sep 2020 02:44:32 +0000Philip D. GibbonsPart Hank Williams and part Spinal Tap, Gram Parsons' influence on popular music can be heard every day. Gram Parsons Fifty years after his death, Gram Parsons has achieved respect as an influence on many prominent musicians and is perceived as...2465falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gram-parsons-rock-and-roll-trail-blazer-part-two--69653670https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=837Sun, 13 Sep 2020 02:33:33 +0000Philip D. GibbonsPart Hank Williams and part Spinal Tap, fifty years after his death, Gram Parsons' influence on popular music can be heard every day. Gram Parsons' Nudie suit Country Music Hall of Fame Whatever discipline that drove Parsons and Hillman to compose...1979falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/george-orwell-literary-visionary-part-one--69653673 Eric Arthur Blair was born in Motihari, Bihar, India on June 25, 1903.  He would not assume the pen name of George Orwell until the age of 30.  Blair was the son of an English civil servant father and a mother who was the daughter of a French colonial entrepreneur operating in Burma. Passport photo en route to Burma
Even today, the catalyst for Eric Blair’s employment in Burma remains unclear.  Classmates do recall an interest in the region and his father’s career in India and his mother’s connection to Burma most likely made him aware of such a position.  But for an alumnus of Eton to apply for such a position was literally unprecedented.  Perhaps he was attempting to blot out a failed romance, perhaps it was a feeling that he had little alternative, but in October of 1922, Eric Blair, aged 19, set sail for what was then known as Rangoon. Orwell's wife, Eileen Blair Through his stint at the bookstore, Orwell did expand his social circle and at a party in March of 1935, he met his future wife, Eileen O’Shaughnessy, a graduate student completing her masters in psychology at the University College London.  Having studied at Oxford and at one time an aspiring academic, Eileen had a love of literature and intellectual firepower that George Orwell immediately found very attractive.  Although he quickly began to discuss marriage, he also confessed that he was so broke, he couldn’t even afford an engagement ring.  He would also continue sleeping with other girlfriends from his bookshop employment days, even after his eventual proposal.  "The Stores," today, in Wallington
Orwell did not want to return to London and instead decided to rent a cottage in the hamlet of Wallington, only 35 miles north of the capital but rural and isolated from any public transportation.  Orwell was thrilled with the bucolic setting which was perfect for a writer and he was eager to plant a fruit and vegetable garden, tend to the hens and goats that came with the place, reopen the country store that had recently closed and quickly finish his latest project.  The house was nicknamed “The Stores,” from its occasional status as a grocery.  However, the out of the way location meant that his fiancé Eileen would have to abandon any plans she had to begin a career as a child psychologist. Orwell , with his son Richard
Despite their desire to have children, George and Eileen had never been able to conceive a child.  In 1944, they decided to adopt and through Eileen’s sister were able to acquire a three- week-old boy who they named Richard.   ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=817Sat, 11 Jul 2020 00:42:07 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe creator of 1984 and Animal Farm lived a life that was as original and strange as the books themselves. George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair was born in Motihari, Bihar, India on June 25, 1903.  He would not assume the pen name of George Orwell until... Eric Arthur Blair was born in Motihari, Bihar, India on June 25, 1903.  He would not assume the pen name of George Orwell until the age of 30.  Blair was the son of an English civil servant father and a mother who was the daughter of a French colonial entrepreneur operating in Burma. Passport photo en route to Burma
Even today, the catalyst for Eric Blair’s employment in Burma remains unclear.  Classmates do recall an interest in the region and his father’s career in India and his mother’s connection to Burma most likely made him aware of such a position.  But for an alumnus of Eton to apply for such a position was literally unprecedented.  Perhaps he was attempting to blot out a failed romance, perhaps it was a feeling that he had little alternative, but in October of 1922, Eric Blair, aged 19, set sail for what was then known as Rangoon. Orwell's wife, Eileen Blair Through his stint at the bookstore, Orwell did expand his social circle and at a party in March of 1935, he met his future wife, Eileen O’Shaughnessy, a graduate student completing her masters in psychology at the University College London.  Having studied at Oxford and at one time an aspiring academic, Eileen had a love of literature and intellectual firepower that George Orwell immediately found very attractive.  Although he quickly began to discuss marriage, he also confessed that he was so broke, he couldn’t even afford an engagement ring.  He would also continue sleeping with other girlfriends from his bookshop employment days, even after his eventual proposal.  "The Stores," today, in Wallington
Orwell did not want to return to London and instead decided to rent a cottage in the hamlet of Wallington, only 35 miles north of the capital but rural and isolated from any public transportation.  Orwell was thrilled with the bucolic setting which was perfect for a writer and he was eager to plant a fruit and vegetable garden, tend to the hens and goats that came with the place, reopen the country store that had recently closed and quickly finish his latest project.  The house was nicknamed “The Stores,” from its occasional status as a grocery.  However, the out of the way location meant that his fiancé Eileen would have to abandon any plans she had to begin a career as a child psychologist. Orwell , with his son Richard
Despite their desire to have children, George and Eileen had never been able to conceive a child.  In 1944, they decided to adopt and through Eileen’s sister were able to acquire a three- week-old boy who they named Richard.   ]]>2180falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/george-orwell-literary-visionary-part-two--69653672 Unreachable by car, without electricity or telephone, over eight miles from any inhabited village, daily life in this dwelling was challenging.  But for Orwell, much like his rural existence at the Stores, the solitude and abundant wildlife and rugged beauty was the perfect antidote for the oppressive environment in London. Animal Farm, first edition cover Orwell got word in August that Animal Farm had not only sold 50,000 copies in the US, but was also now a book-of-the-month club selection, generating an additional 400,000 in sales.  In 1946, only Dr. Spock would sell more books.  Sonia Brownell Blair Orwell Orwell was already up to other romantic intrigue.  He had met a much younger and beautiful Sonia Brownell when she was an editor at Horizon.  Never one for subtlety, he had already proposed to her previously, basically saying that even if she found him unappealing, he wasn’t going to live much longer. Eric Blair, aka George Orwell As an infamous non-believer it was initially difficult to find a cemetery that would accept the writer’s remains until influential friends interceded and had him interred at All Saints Church, Sutton Courtenay, Berkshire.  Strangely perverse, even to the end, Orwell had requested that he be buried in the nearest convenient cemetery according to the rites of the Church of England.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=810Sat, 11 Jul 2020 00:30:02 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe creator of Animal Farm and 1984 lived a life as original and strange as the books themselves. Barnhill, Orwell's hideaway in Scotland Wanting to escape the distractions of London, in September of 1945, Orwell first travelled to Jura, a remote... Unreachable by car, without electricity or telephone, over eight miles from any inhabited village, daily life in this dwelling was challenging.  But for Orwell, much like his rural existence at the Stores, the solitude and abundant wildlife and rugged beauty was the perfect antidote for the oppressive environment in London. Animal Farm, first edition cover Orwell got word in August that Animal Farm had not only sold 50,000 copies in the US, but was also now a book-of-the-month club selection, generating an additional 400,000 in sales.  In 1946, only Dr. Spock would sell more books.  Sonia Brownell Blair Orwell Orwell was already up to other romantic intrigue.  He had met a much younger and beautiful Sonia Brownell when she was an editor at Horizon.  Never one for subtlety, he had already proposed to her previously, basically saying that even if she found him unappealing, he wasn’t going to live much longer. Eric Blair, aka George Orwell As an infamous non-believer it was initially difficult to find a cemetery that would accept the writer’s remains until influential friends interceded and had him interred at All Saints Church, Sutton Courtenay, Berkshire.  Strangely perverse, even to the end, Orwell had requested that he be buried in the nearest convenient cemetery according to the rites of the Church of England.]]>2023falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/george-dasch-and-the-1942-nazi-u-boat-invasion-of-america-part-one--69653655 Canaris and the head of the Abwehr II section, Erwin Von Lahousen, began to cast about for an appropriate individual to supervise this covert scheme.  Walter Kappe, having spent many years in the US and possessing an understanding of the German ex-pat community was a logical choice.  Kappe, eager to settle scores against a country that ultimately rejected him, enthusiastically accepted the assignment.  Perhaps, Canaris and von Lahousen, secretly anti-Nazi and two of several eventual leaders of the ill-fated German military resistance to Hitler, were subtly trying to derail the operation from the top down.  Amagansett Coast Guard Station
Jennett was convinced and prepared a response, notifying the off-duty commander of the outpost, chief boatswain’s mate Warren Barnes, who showed up within minutes.  Jennett issued rifles to the seven other men in the Coast Guard station, all so inexperienced that he had to give them a quick tutorial on their safe usage.  Calls were also placed to the off duty senior officer at the Amagansett station who contacted Coast Guard intelligence in New York City. Coast Guardsman John Cullen
John Cullen, ran back to his outpost as quickly as possible, returning in approximately five minutes.  Waking up his fellow guardsman, he began yelling about Germans on the beach.  His commanding officer, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Carl Jennett, was an experienced seaman who initially suspected that Cullen was the victim of an overeager imagination. J. Edgar Hoover in the thirties
J. Edgar Hoover was immediately notified of the mysterious landing and he acted predictably.  As FDR had already designated the FBI to lead any domestic sabotage investigations, the first thing the FBI did was confiscate any materials recovered from the beach by the Coast Guard.  An FBI team of explosive experts was already examining and cataloguing the Nazi cache of demolition materials.  Because the neurotically suspicious FBI director had received information via the Coast Guard, he first wished to verify if in fact he was dealing with Nazis or something less sinister, like alcohol smugglers from Canada who used remote parts of Long Island to run untaxed liquor into the country.  Amagansett LIRR train station By then, the four saboteurs were nowhere near Amagansett, although their exit from eastern Long Island contained some precarious moments.  Dasch was vaguely familiar with the area and recognized the general location of Amagansett from his days living in New York, but he still had no clear direction for the village or railroad depot.  The men were savvy enough to get away from the beach as quickly as possible and still under the cover of darkness, they were able to quickly access the main road in the area, the Montauk Highway.  Wandering in a northerly direction and careful to avoid any homes or brightly lit areas, they were especially alarmed by the sound of the U-boat diesel engines they heard as they stealthily tried to extricate themselves from the beach vicinity.  When a large campground forced them to walk in a circuitous manner, they stumbled over some railroad tracks.  Dasch correctly headed west and within a mile they reached the Amagansett train station.  At five o’clock on a Saturday morning, it was locked and deserted.  All four men got rid of any wet clothes and tried to make themselves as presentable as possible.  At six AM, the station opened and Dasch bought four tickets to New York, the first train leaving at 6:59.  The four men were the only passengers to board at Amagansett and within minutes they were rapidly leaving the Hamptons behind, incredibly relieved to have successfully completed one of the most challenging parts of their mission.  Heinck even shook Dasch’s hand, acknowledging his leadership in guiding them out of danger.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=795Sat, 06 Jun 2020 23:56:10 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe true story of eight nazi spies who landed on American shores via U-Boat at the height of WWII George Dasch, FBI mugshot George John Dasch was born on February 7, 1903 in Speyer, Germany, the fifth of thirteen children.  His mother, a social... Canaris and the head of the Abwehr II section, Erwin Von Lahousen, began to cast about for an appropriate individual to supervise this covert scheme.  Walter Kappe, having spent many years in the US and possessing an understanding of the German ex-pat community was a logical choice.  Kappe, eager to settle scores against a country that ultimately rejected him, enthusiastically accepted the assignment.  Perhaps, Canaris and von Lahousen, secretly anti-Nazi and two of several eventual leaders of the ill-fated German military resistance to Hitler, were subtly trying to derail the operation from the top down.  Amagansett Coast Guard Station
Jennett was convinced and prepared a response, notifying the off-duty commander of the outpost, chief boatswain’s mate Warren Barnes, who showed up within minutes.  Jennett issued rifles to the seven other men in the Coast Guard station, all so inexperienced that he had to give them a quick tutorial on their safe usage.  Calls were also placed to the off duty senior officer at the Amagansett station who contacted Coast Guard intelligence in New York City. Coast Guardsman John Cullen
John Cullen, ran back to his outpost as quickly as possible, returning in...]]>3395falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/george-dasch-and-the-1942-nazi-u-boat-invasion-of-america-part-two--69653660 By the time the Dasch group was loaded on to U-202, Walter Kappe was seemingly glad to be rid of everybody.  Although the U-Boat captain Hans-Heinz Linder asked the group to join him in his quarters for a toast to the newcomers, Kappe stayed merely long enough to wish everyone well and then quickly bolted. Attorney General Francis Biddle
By the time the Dasch group was loaded on to U-202, Walter Kappe was seemingly glad to be rid of everybody.  Although the U-Boat captain Hans-Heinz Linder asked the group to join him in his quarters for a toast to the newcomers, Kappe stayed merely long enough to wish everyone well and then quickly bolted. Mugshot of Herbie Haupt's father, Hans Haupt
Herbie's mother, Erna Haupt
Hedy Engemann
Marie Kerling
Chief Justice Harlan Stone
 ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=786Sat, 06 Jun 2020 23:42:58 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe true story of eight nazi spies who landed on American shores via U-Boat at the height of WWII. Typical German U-Boat By the time the Dasch group was loaded on to U-202, Walter Kappe was seemingly glad to be rid of everybody.  Although the U-Boat... By the time the Dasch group was loaded on to U-202, Walter Kappe was seemingly glad to be rid of everybody.  Although the U-Boat captain Hans-Heinz Linder asked the group to join him in his quarters for a toast to the newcomers, Kappe stayed merely long enough to wish everyone well and then quickly bolted. Attorney General Francis Biddle
By the time the Dasch group was loaded on to U-202, Walter Kappe was seemingly glad to be rid of everybody.  Although the U-Boat captain Hans-Heinz Linder asked the group to join him in his quarters for a toast to the newcomers, Kappe stayed merely long enough to wish everyone well and then quickly bolted. Mugshot of Herbie Haupt's father, Hans Haupt
Herbie's mother, Erna Haupt
Hedy Engemann
Marie Kerling
Chief Justice Harlan Stone
 ]]>3984falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/joan-of-arc-saint-and-national-martyr-part-one--69653677]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=775Mon, 27 Apr 2020 06:02:34 +0000Philip D. GibbonsMartyr and Saint, Savior of France, National Icon, All by the Age of Nineteen Joan of Arc Joan of Arc was born sometime in January of 1412, the date of the sixth is traditionally mentioned.  Her parents, Jacques and Isabelle, were farmers who...]]>2185falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/joan-of-arc-saint-and-national-martyr-part-two--69653615  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=763Mon, 27 Apr 2020 05:33:31 +0000Philip D. GibbonsMartyr and Saint, Savior of France, National Icon, All by the Age of Nineteen Joan of Arc, under interrogation Among the more driven individuals attempting to pry Joan out of the grasp of de Luxembourg was Pierre Cauchon, the Bishop of Beauvais. ...  ]]>1873falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-van-doren-herbert-stempel-and-the-50-s-quiz-show-scandal-part-one--69653649 Van Doren was a telegenic, well spoken, sophisticated scion of one of the most intellectual families in America.  Despite some misgivings, especially from his fiancé, he agreed to appear.  Although he did not even own a television, he soon found himself on the soundstage of the program, initially to observe several shows from the wings and eventually to compete against Stempel, still the current champion.  Jack Barry’s introduction was inaccurate but certainly impressive: “He teaches music at Columbia University, and was a student at Cambridge University, in England . . . and his hobby is playing the piano in chamber-music groups.” Barry also referred specifically to Van Doren’s father and his literary stature and background.  Richard Goodwin The film Quiz Show focuses on the efforts of one person, Richard Goodwin, played by Rob Morrow, a congressional investigator whose supposed efforts singlehandedly brought the Quiz show scandal to public attention and congressional oversight.  In fact, long before Congress or Goodwin got involved, New York newspapers and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office were already investigating rumors and allegations swirling around several quiz show productions.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=751Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:37:06 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe true story of the television scandal that shocked America. Charles Van Doren and Herb Stempel during their climactic game The showdown between the two men continued on December 5, 1956, Stempel having accumulated 66,500 dollars.  The first show... Van Doren was a telegenic, well spoken, sophisticated scion of one of the most intellectual families in America.  Despite some misgivings, especially from his fiancé, he agreed to appear.  Although he did not even own a television, he soon found himself on the soundstage of the program, initially to observe several shows from the wings and eventually to compete against Stempel, still the current champion.  Jack Barry’s introduction was inaccurate but certainly impressive: “He teaches music at Columbia University, and was a student at Cambridge University, in England . . . and his hobby is playing the piano in chamber-music groups.” Barry also referred specifically to Van Doren’s father and his literary stature and background.  Richard Goodwin The film Quiz Show focuses on the efforts of one person, Richard Goodwin, played by Rob Morrow, a congressional investigator whose supposed efforts singlehandedly brought the Quiz show scandal to public attention and congressional oversight.  In fact, long before Congress or Goodwin got involved, New York newspapers and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office were already investigating rumors and allegations swirling around several quiz show productions.  ]]>2279falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-van-doren-herbert-stempel-and-the-50-s-quiz-show-scandal-part-two--69653593https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=741Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:26:39 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe true story of the television scandal that shocked America. Charles Van Doren, 1959 On November 2, 1959, at 10 AM, Charles Van Doren and his attorney Carl Rubino entered the caucus room where the House Subcommittee hearings investigating potential...1659falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bob-marley-reggae-superstar-part-one--69653602 One of Bob’s childhood friends in Nine Mile was nine year old Neville O’Reilly Livingston.  Neville was nicknamed “Bunny” and eventually would become an important part of Marley’s musical prominence but would eventually leave Nine Mile and move to Kingston with his father, Thaddeus “Toddy”Livingston. Rita Marley Finally, Bob Marley became so fed up with the situation that he decided that he would join his mother in Wilmington, Delaware.  He hoped to find work and save enough money to bankroll the Wailers own production and recording efforts allowing the musicians to retain control over the profits.  Before leaving, perhaps to reassure her, Bob made the decision to marry his longtime girlfriend, Rita.  He promised to return and the official wedding on February 10, 1966 underlined his commitment.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=730Thu, 06 Feb 2020 06:30:14 +0000Philip D. GibbonsHomeless at age 19, in one of the poorest cities of the Third World, Bob Marley eventually created what Time Magazine called, "The greatest album of the Twentieth Century.  Bob Marley, Dublin, Ireland, 1980 Robert Nesta Marley was born in Nine Mile,... One of Bob’s childhood friends in Nine Mile was nine year old Neville O’Reilly Livingston.  Neville was nicknamed “Bunny” and eventually would become an important part of Marley’s musical prominence but would eventually leave Nine Mile and move to Kingston with his father, Thaddeus “Toddy”Livingston. Rita Marley Finally, Bob Marley became so fed up with the situation that he decided that he would join his mother in Wilmington, Delaware.  He hoped to find work and save enough money to bankroll the Wailers own production and recording efforts allowing the musicians to retain control over the profits.  Before leaving, perhaps to reassure her, Bob made the decision to marry his longtime girlfriend, Rita.  He promised to return and the official wedding on February 10, 1966 underlined his commitment.  ]]>2321falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bob-marley-reggae-superstar-part-two--69653642https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=725Thu, 06 Feb 2020 06:17:44 +0000Philip D. Gibbons18, unemployed and homeless in one of the poorest cities of the Third World, Bob Marley eventually created what Time Magazine called, "The greatest album of the Twentieth Century." The I-Threes, Rita Marley, center Meanwhile, in 1974, he was...2243falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/crazy-horse-one-of-a-kind-part-one--69653686https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=704Wed, 06 Nov 2019 08:23:08 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn life, a prominent Lakota warrior chieftain, in death, an American legend No photo of Crazy Horse has ever been authenticated, this sketch was verified by his sister after his death Most likely, Crazy Horse was born in the spring of 1840, in the...3174falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/crazy-horse-one-of-a-kind-part-two--69653681]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=697Wed, 06 Nov 2019 08:03:59 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIn life a prominent Lakota warrior-chieftain, in death an American legend. Seven feet tall, "Touch the Clouds" In his final moments of freedom, nervous and bewildered, Crazy Horse accepted the hand of Kennington who began to lead him to Fort...]]>2114falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/john-wilkes-booth-and-the-lincoln-conspiracy-part-one--69653654https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=676Sun, 18 Aug 2019 03:28:31 +0000Philip D. GibbonsA popular actor, John Wilkes Booth used his professional access to Ford's Theater to assassinate President Lincoln. John Wilkes Booth In April of 1865, Booth was an American celebrity.  Having earned as much as 20,000 dollars a year, the equivalent of...2183falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/john-wilkes-booth-and-the-lincoln-conspiracy-part-two--69653690https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=666Sun, 18 Aug 2019 03:27:28 +0000Philip D. GibbonsA well known actor, John Wilkes Booth used his professional access to enter Ford's theater and assassinate President Lincoln Booth, in typical garb In April of 1865, John Wilkes Booth was a very depressed 27-year old.  His career in shambles, his...3541falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-bukowski-poet-of-the-damned-part-one--69653652https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=643Fri, 24 May 2019 06:33:52 +0000Philip D. GibbonsCharles Bukowski: Slacker, Drunkard, Misanthrope, Poet, Artist, Hero. The building where Bukowski was born in 1920, Andernach, Germany Heinrich Karl Bukowski was born in Andernach, Germany on August 16, 1920.  Andernach is a small German town located...1786falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/charles-bukowski-poet-of-the-damned-part-two--69653675https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=634Fri, 24 May 2019 06:10:53 +0000Philip D. GibbonsCharles Bukowski: slacker, drunkard, misanthrope, poet, artist, hero. Bukowski parking his Beamer at Santa Anita Although he was over sixty, Charles Bukowski was just hitting the stride of his professional life.  With money rolling in, he no longer...1505falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/benedict-arnold-american-traitor-part-one--69653590]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=614Sun, 03 Mar 2019 06:52:07 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe ultimate American traitor, Benedict Arnold's life was much more complicated  Death of Montgomery at Quebec Montgomery and Arnold spent December planning the inevitable storming of the city, a siege impossible against superior British artillery...]]>1861falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/benedict-arnold-american-traitor-part-two--69653656https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=603Sun, 03 Mar 2019 06:38:42 +0000Philip D. GibbonsBenedict Arnold is the ultimate American traitor, his life was actually much more complicated Peggy Shippen, sketched by John Andre During the British occupation, Peggy Shippen interacted closely with several British officers and enjoyed a flirtation...2084falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ronnie-van-zant-fallen-free-bird-part-one--69653599Ronnie Van Zant, In Concert Ronald Wayne Van Zant was born on January 15, 1948.  His father Lacey, was a long haul trucker and his mother Marion, nicknamed “Sister”, was a part time doughnut shop employee and the fundamental caregiver of the family’s six children.  Even as a young person, Ronnie had ambitions to escape the lower middle class enclave he grew up in which was literally known as “Shantytown.” Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1973. Ronnie Van Zant is second from the right. Ed King is to his right, Gary Rossington to his left Typically, warmup bands for the Who were booed off the stage and even pelted with debris.  But, limited to a 30 minute set, Lynyrd Skynyrd won the crowd over and even prompted demands for their own encore.  Watching this performance, the Who entourage and their manager Peter Rudge were impressed.  Nothing of this nature had ever happened before and Rudge, who managed both the Who and The Rolling Stones, took note. Hell House Kooper was immediately impressed by the band’s preparation and focus, all business once they entered the recording studio.  This came from years of rehearsals at the band practice space at a location dubbed “Hell House.”  This shack, in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of Jacksonville was an un-air conditioned, uninsulated dwelling that made for extremely unpleasant conditions, especially during the humid, 90 plus degree days of summer.  The location, on a 90 acre plot of isolated property, was an alternative to suburban spaces that usually were subject to local resident complaints and police interruption.  12 hour days at Hell House made the relative luxury of a professional recording studio a welcome alternative. Poster for typical Skynyrd stadium show, 1974.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=584Sun, 28 Oct 2018 02:18:25 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe eternal Free Bird, Ronnie Van Zant Ronnie Van Zant, In Concert Ronald Wayne Van Zant was born on January 15, 1948.  His father Lacey, was a long haul trucker and his mother Marion, nicknamed “Sister”, was a part time doughnut shop employee and the...Ronnie Van Zant, In Concert Ronald Wayne Van Zant was born on January 15, 1948.  His father Lacey, was a long haul trucker and his mother Marion, nicknamed “Sister”, was a part time doughnut shop employee and the fundamental caregiver of the family’s six children.  Even as a young person, Ronnie had ambitions to escape the lower middle class enclave he grew up in which was literally known as “Shantytown.” Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1973. Ronnie Van Zant is second from the right. Ed King is to his right, Gary Rossington to his left Typically, warmup bands for the Who were booed off the stage and even pelted with debris.  But, limited to a 30 minute set, Lynyrd Skynyrd won the crowd over and even prompted demands for their own encore.  Watching this performance, the Who entourage and their manager Peter Rudge were impressed.  Nothing of this nature had ever happened before and Rudge, who managed both the Who and The Rolling Stones, took note. Hell House Kooper was immediately impressed by the band’s preparation and focus, all business once they entered the recording studio.  This came from years of rehearsals at the band practice space at a location dubbed “Hell House.”  This shack, in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of Jacksonville was an un-air conditioned, uninsulated dwelling that made for extremely unpleasant conditions, especially during the humid, 90 plus degree days of summer.  The location, on a 90 acre plot of isolated property, was an alternative to suburban spaces that usually were subject to local resident complaints and police interruption.  12 hour days at Hell House made the relative luxury of a professional recording studio a welcome alternative. Poster for typical Skynyrd stadium show, 1974.]]>1752falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ronnie-van-zant-fallen-free-bird-part-two--69653608Ed King, left. Heading into the recording studio, Skynyrd added two important elements to the band.  Ed King met Skynyrd when they were the warmup band for The Strawberry Alarm Clock.  King had written this group’s top ten one hit wonder “Incense and Peppermint,” and jumped at the chance to be the third guitar in Skynyrd’s unique three lead guitar makeup. Skynyrd, 1977, Steve Gaines is second from right, Artimus Pyle is right behind him in the second row. Ed King would eventually be replaced by the brother of backup singer Cassie Gaines.  Steve Gaines was struggling to make a living with obscure Midwestern bands when Ronnie finally agreed to let him play a few songs in a mid 1976 concert appearance.  Gaines was impressive and fit in neatly with the three guitar concept and formally joined Skynyrd in time for their live album, “One More From the road,” recorded live at Atlanta’s Fox theater in July of 1976.  Uncharacteristically, he was not a heavy drinker or drug abuser Artimus Pyle Bob Burns had been replaced by a 6’ 2”, 200 pound ex-marine named Artimus Pyle, who provided even more personality to the lineup.  Van Zant once commented, “We keep him in a cage and feed him raw meat and only let him out when it is time to play.” Ronnie Van Zant current grave marker. Unfortunately, even in death, Ronnie Van Zant has been subjected to chaos and turbulence.  On June 29th, 2000, at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery, vandals broke into the marble monuments containing the remains of Van Zant and Steve Gaines.  Although this act was initially described as a prank to confirm the urban legend that Van Zant was buried in a Neil Young t-shirt, it was actually a depraved and destructive endeavor that left Van Zant’s apparently unopended coffin completely outside of its resting place.  Additionally the plastic bag containing Steve Gaines’ cremated remains was punctured with about one per cent of its contents removed.  No arrests were ever made following the incident and Van Zant was reburied in what was initially a secret location.  This was eventually revealed to be next to his parents’ graves at the Riverside Memorial Park in Jacksonville, today denoted by a small marker.  However, this time, family and cemetery officials took extreme precautions, entombing Ronnie in a deep, concrete vault that would be immovable without an excavator that could lift several tons.  Besides a Neil Young t-shirt, it is also rumored that Ronnie Van Zant was buried with his favorite cane fishing pole and snakeskin hat, although it is ironic that this ultimate free bird will also spend eternity encased in cement.  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=590Sun, 28 Oct 2018 02:16:52 +0000Philip D. GibbonsRonnie Van Zant, the eternal Free Bird Ed King, left. Heading into the recording studio, Skynyrd added two important elements to the band.  Ed King met Skynyrd when they were the warmup band for The Strawberry Alarm Clock.  King had written this...Ed King, left. Heading into the recording studio, Skynyrd added two important elements to the band.  Ed King met Skynyrd when they were the warmup band for The Strawberry Alarm Clock.  King had written this group’s top ten one hit wonder “Incense and Peppermint,” and jumped at the chance to be the third guitar in Skynyrd’s unique three lead guitar makeup. Skynyrd, 1977, Steve Gaines is second from right, Artimus Pyle is right behind him in the second row. Ed King would eventually be replaced by the brother of backup singer Cassie Gaines.  Steve Gaines was struggling to make a living with obscure Midwestern bands when Ronnie finally agreed to let him play a few songs in a mid 1976 concert appearance.  Gaines was impressive and fit in neatly with the three guitar concept and formally joined Skynyrd in time for their live album, “One More From the road,” recorded live at Atlanta’s Fox theater in July of 1976.  Uncharacteristically, he was not a heavy drinker or drug abuser Artimus Pyle Bob Burns had been replaced by a 6’ 2”, 200 pound ex-marine named Artimus Pyle, who provided even more personality to the lineup.  Van Zant once commented, “We keep him in a cage and feed him raw meat and only let him out when it is time to play.” Ronnie Van Zant current grave marker. Unfortunately, even in death, Ronnie Van Zant has been subjected to chaos and turbulence.  On June 29th, 2000, at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery, vandals broke into the marble monuments containing the remains of Van Zant and Steve Gaines.  Although this act was initially described as a prank to confirm the urban legend that Van Zant was buried in a Neil Young t-shirt, it was actually a depraved and destructive endeavor that left Van Zant’s apparently unopended coffin completely outside of its resting place.  Additionally the plastic bag containing Steve Gaines’ cremated remains was punctured with about one per cent of its contents removed.  No arrests were ever made following the incident and Van Zant was reburied in what was initially a secret location.  This was eventually revealed to be next to his parents’ graves at the Riverside Memorial Park in Jacksonville, today denoted by a small marker.  However, this time, family and cemetery officials took extreme precautions, entombing Ronnie in a deep, concrete vault that would be immovable without an excavator that could lift several tons.  Besides a Neil Young t-shirt, it is also rumored that Ronnie Van Zant was buried with his favorite cane fishing pole and snakeskin hat, although it is ironic that this ultimate free bird will also spend eternity encased in cement.  ]]>1638falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/wc-fields-hollywood-comedy-pioneer-part-one--69653679WC Fields, Passport Photo, 1915 W. C. Fields was born William Claude Dukenfield on January 29, 1880 in Darby, Pennsylvania.  His parents, James and Kate, were English immigrants of modest means, his mother a homemaker and his father appropriately enough at the time of his son’s birth, an innkeeper and bartender. Fields, in his Broadway years Fields scraped together some money, relocated and made the rounds of the numerous NY agents and bookers that funneled entertainers to the hundreds of venues around the city, but without any references or solid experience, this venture was doomed from the outset.  Fields quickly ran out of cash and had no choice but to return home, the only tangible result of his brief move a lifelong loathing of Philadelphia, which, after his exposure to the bustling sophistication of Manhattan, struck him as backward and dull. Fields in "The Old Fashioned Way," with Baby LeRoy WC Fields would whip through several solid performances during the remainder of 1933 and 1934: “Six of a Kind,“ “You’re Telling Me,“ and “The Old Fashioned Way.” Stuck in the middle of these efforts were Fields’ least favorite role as “Humpty-Dumpty” in “Alice in Wonderland, and the dreadful “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” which finally proved to the Paramount brass that casting Fields as a secondary character was a mistake. Recent photo of Fields' DeMille Drive home, Los Feliz section of Los Angeles  ]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=565Tue, 03 Jul 2018 06:10:43 +0000Philip D. GibbonsW. C. Fields, Hollywood Legend WC Fields, Passport Photo, 1915 W. C. Fields was born William Claude Dukenfield on January 29, 1880 in Darby, Pennsylvania.  His parents, James and Kate, were English immigrants of modest means, his mother a homemaker...WC Fields, Passport Photo, 1915 W. C. Fields was born William Claude Dukenfield on January 29, 1880 in Darby, Pennsylvania.  His parents, James and Kate, were English immigrants of modest means, his mother a homemaker and his father appropriately enough at the time of his son’s birth, an innkeeper and bartender. Fields, in his Broadway years Fields scraped together some money, relocated and made the rounds of the numerous NY agents and bookers that funneled entertainers to the hundreds of venues around the city, but without any references or solid experience, this venture was doomed from the outset.  Fields quickly ran out of cash and had no choice but to return home, the only tangible result of his brief move a lifelong loathing of Philadelphia, which, after his exposure to the bustling sophistication of Manhattan, struck him as backward and dull. Fields in "The Old Fashioned Way," with Baby LeRoy WC Fields would whip through several solid performances during the remainder of 1933 and 1934: “Six of a Kind,“ “You’re Telling Me,“ and “The Old Fashioned Way.” Stuck in the middle of these efforts were Fields’ least favorite role as “Humpty-Dumpty” in “Alice in Wonderland, and the dreadful “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” which finally proved to the Paramount brass that casting Fields as a secondary character was a mistake. Recent photo of Fields' DeMille Drive home, Los Feliz section of Los Angeles  ]]>1379falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/wc-fields-hollywood-comedy-pioneer-part-two--69653683Fields with Mae West in My Little Chickadee To much excitement, it was announced that Fields would next team up with Mae West.  One of America’s biggest stars in the mid-thirties, West, now aged 43, had also recently been cut loose by Paramount after her popularity waned.  Months would pass before a script and director would be selected, the result of Fields’ cantankerous and territorial approach to his participation.  Surprisingly, the two actors were able to co-exist and what was eventually entitled “My Little Chickadee,” came to pass.  The film was a commercial success but West was apparently embittered by the experience in which Fields was paid substantially more, got a dubious screenwriting credit and she received poor reviews that caused Universal to pass on another more expensive option for a second film.  She would disparage Fields for the rest of her life. WC Fields as Wilkins Micawber in David Copperfield Charles Laughton, against his better judgment, had been persuaded to take the key role of Wilkins Micawber and after three days of shooting, the skilled actor was convinced that he was completely unsuitable to continue. Reluctantly, Selznick and director George Cukor set about getting the man they had initially contemplated casting: WC Fields.  Because he was under contract with Paramount, the actor would not come cheap and Fields, always mindful of money and sensing he had MGM over a barrel, held out for $50,000 for two weeks work. Fields On Radio, March, 1938 With Paramount reluctant to cast him in anything tangible, Fields decided to head in a different direction and embrace the medium of radio.  By 1937, he was appearing on the prestigious Chase and Sanborn hour mostly trading barbs with Edgar Bergen’s ventriloquist dummy, Charlie McCarthy.  The radio show quickly became the most popular in the US but the pressure on Fields to perform on a weekly basis was unpleasant and as soon as he got another film from Paramount, he quit. Fields' grave at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California WC Fields died on Christmas Day, 1946.  Despite the legal protestations of his wife and son, he was eventually cremated and interred in a vault in Forest Lawn Cemetery.  The plaque adorning his ashes merely lists his stage name and the years of his birth and death.  Contrary to urban myth, there is no epitaph concerning the city of Philadelphia.]]>https://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=559Tue, 03 Jul 2018 05:48:24 +0000Philip D. GibbonsW. C. Fields, Hollywood Legend Fields with Mae West in My Little Chickadee To much excitement, it was announced that Fields would next team up with Mae West.  One of America’s biggest stars in the mid-thirties, West, now aged 43, had also recently...Fields with Mae West in My Little Chickadee To much excitement, it was announced that Fields would next team up with Mae West.  One of America’s biggest stars in the mid-thirties, West, now aged 43, had also recently been cut loose by Paramount after her popularity waned.  Months would pass before a script and director would be selected, the result of Fields’ cantankerous and territorial approach to his participation.  Surprisingly, the two actors were able to co-exist and what was eventually entitled “My Little Chickadee,” came to pass.  The film was a commercial success but West was apparently embittered by the experience in which Fields was paid substantially more, got a dubious screenwriting credit and she received poor reviews that caused Universal to pass on another more expensive option for a second film.  She would disparage Fields for the rest of her life. WC Fields as Wilkins Micawber in David Copperfield Charles Laughton, against his better judgment, had been persuaded to take the key role of Wilkins Micawber and after three days of shooting, the skilled actor was convinced that he was completely unsuitable to continue. Reluctantly, Selznick and director George Cukor set about getting the man they had initially contemplated casting: WC Fields.  Because he was under contract with Paramount, the actor would not come cheap and Fields, always mindful of money and sensing he had MGM over a barrel, held out for $50,000 for two weeks work. Fields On Radio, March, 1938 With Paramount reluctant to cast him in anything tangible, Fields decided to head in a different direction and embrace the medium of radio.  By 1937, he was appearing on the prestigious Chase and Sanborn hour mostly trading barbs with Edgar Bergen’s ventriloquist dummy, Charlie McCarthy.  The radio show quickly became the most popular in the US but the pressure on Fields to perform on a weekly basis was unpleasant and as soon as he got another film from Paramount, he quit. Fields' grave at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California WC Fields died on Christmas Day, 1946.  Despite the legal protestations of his wife and son, he was eventually cremated and interred in a vault in Forest Lawn Cemetery.  The plaque adorning his ashes merely lists his stage name and the years of his birth and death.  Contrary to urban myth, there is no epitaph concerning the city of Philadelphia.]]>1765falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-chicago-black-sox-and-the-1919-world-series-fix-part-one--69653609Ty Cobb and Shoeless Joe Jackson Almost one hundred years after the Black Sox scandal, the legend of Shoeless Joe Jackson, created by disingenuous journalists and burnished by Hollywood, lives on in the American imagination.  An illiterate mill hand, a country boy who escaped small town poverty and obscurity as a baseball savant, Jackson is perceived as tragically victimized by wealthy owners and slickered by hustlers and cheats who took advantage of his childlike innocence.  Ironically, without the backstory of the Black Sox scandal, Jackson would have been consigned to the obscurity heaped on such players as Tris Speaker, Nap Lajoie, Rogers Hornsby, Honus Wagner, George Sisler and many other stars of the early 20th century who now are prominent only in the consciousness of obsessive journalists or baseball historians. Bill Burns Testifying At Trial It is alleged that earlier in the baseball season, Burns had spoken on several occasions with Eddie Cicotte about the possibility of fixing the World Series.  Burns and his buddy Maharg knew that they could never finance such an undertaking on their own and they traveled to New York in late September in an attempt to recruit Arnold Rothstein as their financier. The Black Sox Defendants At Trial All of the seven most prominent indicted White Sox lawyered up, renounced their confessions and denied their participation in a conspiracy.  Only dogged pursuit of Bill Burns, funded by Ban Johnson and assisted by Billy Maharg, saved the case, the gambler finally agreeing to appear and testify. Billy Maharg Eventually, an explosive interview with gambler Billy Maharg appeared in a September 27 edition of a Philadelphia newspaper.  Maharg told the whole story of he and Bill Burns attempts to fix the series, the double cross by Abe Attell, the promise of $100,000, the partial payment of 10 grand and the pivotal role of Eddie Cicotte.  Maharg also explained that he and Burns had lost everything on game 3 after Chick Gandil assured them that the Sox would bag the game.  The article prompted a national sensation and desperation damage control from Charles Comiskey. Charles Comiskey Comiskey responded to the Maharg article by suspending all seven alleged conspirators but also decided on the additional PR strategy of delivering some of the key players to the grand jury with predetermined testimony.  They wished to convey the impression that Comiskey wanted to get to the bottom of a conspiracy he had tried to cover up for almost a year. Eddie Collins On The Philadelphia Athletics The highest paid player on the team and the second highest in the league with the exception of Ty Cobb was Eddie Collins, who was shrewd enough to demand his $15,000 salary upon being traded to the White Sox by the Philadelphia Athletics.  Already disliked for his Ivy League background, (Collins graduated from Columbia) players like Gandil hated the second baseman and never spoke with him on or off the diamond.  Gandil also had his nose broken on the basepaths by the scrappy Collins in 1912, when Gandil played for the Washington Senators, the salary differential an additional element adding to the first baseman’s deep animosity. Abe Attell As A Boxer On the eve of game one, the center of baseball buzz in Cincinnati was the prestigious Hotel Sinton.  Burns, a former ball player and acquaintance of Chick Gandil, was able to set up a meeting with seven of the eight White Sox in on the fix, only Joe Jackson was absent.  Burns eventually introduced them to Maharg, a former boxer named Abe Attell and a mysterious Mr. Bennett aka David Zelcer, a high stakes gambler with alleged ties to Arnold Rothstein. Joe And Kate Jackson On Their Wedding Day Perhaps on the urging of his wife, Jackson would subsequently attempt to come clean with White Sox management and disown the money but this cannot erase Jackson’s willingness to take the payoff to begin with.  Ultimately his own behavior would lay the groundwork for a terrible tragedy. Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis Understanding that gambling was currently inextricably tied to baseball, various owners proposed hiring Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, a federal judge as the commissioner of the sport.  Landis was probably the most well known judge in America, Having famously fined John D. Rockefeller 29 million dollars in a previous anti-trust decision.  Although this fine would be thrown out on appeal, Landis gained the reputation as a fearless and tough minded jurist of impeccable reputation and was additionally a rabid baseball fan.  Initially, Landis was hired to lead a new commission but eventually it was agreed that he would be appointed sole Commissioner with unlimited power and a huge raise over his federal salary. Grave of Joe Jackson, Greenville, SC]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=538Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:32:53 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe Chicago Black Sox and the Scandal Surrounding the 1919 World Series Ty Cobb and Shoeless Joe Jackson Almost one hundred years after the Black Sox scandal, the legend of Shoeless Joe Jackson, created by disingenuous journalists and burnished by...Ty Cobb and Shoeless Joe Jackson Almost one hundred years after the Black Sox scandal, the legend of Shoeless Joe Jackson, created by disingenuous journalists and burnished by Hollywood, lives on in the American imagination.  An illiterate mill hand, a country boy who escaped small town poverty and obscurity as a baseball savant, Jackson is perceived as tragically victimized by wealthy owners and slickered by hustlers and cheats who took advantage of his childlike innocence.  Ironically, without the backstory of the Black Sox scandal, Jackson would have been consigned to the obscurity heaped on such players as Tris Speaker, Nap Lajoie, Rogers Hornsby, Honus Wagner, George Sisler and many other stars of the early 20th century who now are prominent only in the consciousness of obsessive journalists or baseball historians. Bill Burns Testifying At Trial It is alleged that earlier in the baseball season, Burns had spoken on several occasions with Eddie Cicotte about the possibility of fixing the World Series.  Burns and his buddy Maharg knew that they could never finance such an undertaking on their own and they traveled to New York in late September in an attempt to recruit Arnold Rothstein as their financier. The Black Sox Defendants At Trial All of the seven most prominent indicted White Sox lawyered up, renounced their confessions and denied their participation in a conspiracy.  Only dogged pursuit of Bill Burns, funded by Ban Johnson and assisted by Billy Maharg, saved the case, the gambler finally agreeing to appear and testify. Billy Maharg Eventually, an explosive interview with gambler Billy Maharg appeared in a September 27 edition of a Philadelphia newspaper.  Maharg told the whole story of he and Bill Burns attempts to fix the series, the double cross by Abe Attell, the promise of $100,000, the partial payment of 10 grand and the pivotal role of Eddie Cicotte.  Maharg also explained that he and Burns had lost everything on game 3 after Chick Gandil assured them that the Sox would bag the game.  The article prompted a national sensation and desperation damage control from Charles Comiskey. Charles Comiskey Comiskey responded to the Maharg article by suspending all seven alleged conspirators but also decided on the additional PR strategy of delivering some of the key players to the grand jury with predetermined testimony.  They wished to convey the impression that Comiskey wanted to get to the bottom of a conspiracy he had tried to cover up for almost a year. Eddie Collins On The Philadelphia Athletics The highest paid player on the team and the second highest in the league with the exception of Ty Cobb was Eddie Collins, who was shrewd enough to demand his $15,000 salary upon being traded to the White Sox by the Philadelphia Athletics.  Already disliked for his Ivy League background, (Collins graduated from Columbia) players like Gandil hated the second baseman and never spoke with him on or off the diamond.  Gandil also had his nose broken on the basepaths by the scrappy Collins in 1912,...]]>2341falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-chicago-black-sox-and-the-1919-world-series-fix-part-two--69653668The Eight Chicago Black Sox "Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player that throws a ballgame; no player that undertakes or promises to throw a ballgame; no player that sits in a conference with a bunch of crooked players and gamblers where the ways and means of throwing games are planned and discussed and does not promptly tell his club about it, will ever play professional baseball." Today, almost one hundred years later, all eight of these Chicago White Sox remain permanently banned, their statistics expunged from the official record.  This expulsion also affected even consideration for the Baseball Hall of Fame, a punishment that definitely affected Joe Jackson and possibly eliminated Eddie Cicotte and Buck Weaver, as well. Shoeless Joe Jackson and Babe Ruth The most prominent member of the Black Sox adopted a nonchalant attitude.  Shoeless Joe was quoted, “I’m through with organized baseball,” hinting that he would be just fine with his outside business interests which would be as lucrative as major league baseball. Eddie Cicotte In 1919, Eddie Cicotte, with bonuses and salary, earned $8,000, the second highest sum for a pitcher in the league, only Walter Johnson at 9,500, earned more.  Cicotte was also the eighth highest paid player in the league, and the oft repeated legend that Reds game one starter Dutch Ruether earned double what he was making is nonsensical. Arnold "Chick" Gandil On the road, Cicotte gravitated towards the company of first baseman Charles Arnold “Chick” Gandil, a tough, streetwise veteran player familiar to all of the habitués of taverns, pool halls and hotel bars that Gandil frequently haunted.  Although the exact origins and catalyst of the scheme to fix the 1919 World Series has never been specifically documented, it is believed that Chick Gandil and Eddie Cicotte were first approached in late September, 1919, in the vicinity of Boston’s Buckminster Hotel by Joseph “Sport” Sullivan, a well known professional gambler. Dickie Kerr Kerr, 5′ 7″, 155 lbs, was 13-7 during the regular season but was a big drop-off from Cicotte and Williams.  He was opposed by Ray Fisher, a solid major leaguer who went 14-5 in 1919.  Surprisingly, in Game 3, Kerr produced a three hit shutout, retiring the last fifteen Reds in a row. Buck Weaver and Eddie Cicotte  ]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=530Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:13:58 +0000Philip D. GibbonsThe Chicago Black Sox and the scandal surrounding the 1919 World Series The Eight Chicago Black Sox "Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player that throws a ballgame; no player that undertakes or promises to throw a ballgame; no player that sits...The Eight Chicago Black Sox "Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player that throws a ballgame; no player that undertakes or promises to throw a ballgame; no player that sits in a conference with a bunch of crooked players and gamblers where the ways and means of throwing games are planned and discussed and does not promptly tell his club about it, will ever play professional baseball." Today, almost one hundred years later, all eight of these Chicago White Sox remain permanently banned, their statistics expunged from the official record.  This expulsion also affected even consideration for the Baseball Hall of Fame, a punishment that definitely affected Joe Jackson and possibly eliminated Eddie Cicotte and Buck Weaver, as well. Shoeless Joe Jackson and Babe Ruth The most prominent member of the Black Sox adopted a nonchalant attitude.  Shoeless Joe was quoted, “I’m through with organized baseball,” hinting that he would be just fine with his outside business interests which would be as lucrative as major league baseball. Eddie Cicotte In 1919, Eddie Cicotte, with bonuses and salary, earned $8,000, the second highest sum for a pitcher in the league, only Walter Johnson at 9,500, earned more.  Cicotte was also the eighth highest paid player in the league, and the oft repeated legend that Reds game one starter Dutch Ruether earned double what he was making is nonsensical. Arnold "Chick" Gandil On the road, Cicotte gravitated towards the company of first baseman Charles Arnold “Chick” Gandil, a tough, streetwise veteran player familiar to all of the habitués of taverns, pool halls and hotel bars that Gandil frequently haunted.  Although the exact origins and catalyst of the scheme to fix the 1919 World Series has never been specifically documented, it is believed that Chick Gandil and Eddie Cicotte were first approached in late September, 1919, in the vicinity of Boston’s Buckminster Hotel by Joseph “Sport” Sullivan, a well known professional gambler. Dickie Kerr Kerr, 5′ 7″, 155 lbs, was 13-7 during the regular season but was a big drop-off from Cicotte and Williams.  He was opposed by Ray Fisher, a solid major leaguer who went 14-5 in 1919.  Surprisingly, in Game 3, Kerr produced a three hit shutout, retiring the last fifteen Reds in a row. Buck Weaver and Eddie Cicotte  ]]>1736falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/db-cooper-and-the-only-unsolved-air-hijack-in-us-history-part-one--69653603The infamous sketches of DB Cooper On November 24, 1971, a man walked up to the Northwest Orient ticket counter at the Portland, Oregon International Airport.  After waiting on line for a few moments, he paid $20 dollars in cash for a ticket for Flight 305 to Seattle, a scheduled 30 minute trip leaving at 2:50 PM. The actual ticket used by "Dan Cooper" to fly from Portland to Seattle He gave his name as “Dan Cooper” for the purposes of ticketing but he was not required to show identification.  Dressed in a dark suit, black tie and white shirt with a black raincoat he looked identical to any number of business travelers anxious to make it home for the following day’s Thanksgiving celebration.  He was assigned seat 18C, an aisle seat in the last row and boarded the plane with 36 other passengers, not including the crew. Richard Floyd McCoy, Jr. On April 7, 1972, a man flying under the alias “James Johnson” boarded flight 855 in Denver, Colorado.  The plane’s flight began on the East coast and was supposed to fly from Denver to Los Angeles.  It was a Boeing 727, the identical craft hijacked by D. B. Cooper.  James Johnson was actually a Mormon, national guard member , ex-Green Beret BYU student named Richard Floyd McCoy, Jr.  He sat in the last row on the aisle in the exact location used by Cooper.  Heavily made up and wearing a wig, McCoy hijacked the plane to San Francisco, claiming to have explosives, a grenade and a pistol, which he brandished at the flight attendants and some passengers who became aware of the situation when the plane rerouted to San Francisco.  McCoy demanded 500,000 dollars in different denominations and four parachutes.  He got the money and the chutes and got off the ground before agents could storm the plane. A duffel bag filled with the ransom money was attached to his parachute harness.  This time, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies were better prepared for such an eventuality.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=517Fri, 16 Mar 2018 17:57:16 +0000Philip D. GibbonsDB Cooper, the man behind the most notorious airplane hijacking in American history The infamous sketches of DB Cooper On November 24, 1971, a man walked up to the Northwest Orient ticket counter at the Portland, Oregon International Airport.  After...The infamous sketches of DB Cooper On November 24, 1971, a man walked up to the Northwest Orient ticket counter at the Portland, Oregon International Airport.  After waiting on line for a few moments, he paid $20 dollars in cash for a ticket for Flight 305 to Seattle, a scheduled 30 minute trip leaving at 2:50 PM. The actual ticket used by "Dan Cooper" to fly from Portland to Seattle He gave his name as “Dan Cooper” for the purposes of ticketing but he was not required to show identification.  Dressed in a dark suit, black tie and white shirt with a black raincoat he looked identical to any number of business travelers anxious to make it home for the following day’s Thanksgiving celebration.  He was assigned seat 18C, an aisle seat in the last row and boarded the plane with 36 other passengers, not including the crew. Richard Floyd McCoy, Jr. On April 7, 1972, a man flying under the alias “James Johnson” boarded flight 855 in Denver, Colorado.  The plane’s flight began on the East coast and was supposed to fly from Denver to Los Angeles.  It was a Boeing 727, the identical craft hijacked by D. B. Cooper.  James Johnson was actually a Mormon, national guard member , ex-Green Beret BYU student named Richard Floyd McCoy, Jr.  He sat in the last row on the aisle in the exact location used by Cooper.  Heavily made up and wearing a wig, McCoy hijacked the plane to San Francisco, claiming to have explosives, a grenade and a pistol, which he brandished at the flight attendants and some passengers who became aware of the situation when the plane rerouted to San Francisco.  McCoy demanded 500,000 dollars in different denominations and four parachutes.  He got the money and the chutes and got off the ground before agents could storm the plane. A duffel bag filled with the ransom money was attached to his parachute harness.  This time, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies were better prepared for such an eventuality.]]>1400falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/db-cooper-and-the-only-unsolved-air-hijack-in-us-history-part-two--69653666The areas where Cooper may have landed in the state of Washington On Thanksgiving morning, A Portland FBI investigator involved in the case, Ralph Himmelsbach, took it upon himself to use his own single engine plane to fly over the area where it is believed that Cooper might have bailed out.  He spends much of Thanksgiving Day flying back and forth over Vector 23, the route that flight 305 took through the area, trying to spot some trace of the hijacker.  A parachute, clothing, a campfire, even a body.  He comes up with nothing and, because of the poor weather and visibility, a full scale search on foot will not begin until Friday, November 26.  D. B. Cooper’s hijacking is the lead national network news story, beginning a public fascination with the case that will only increase over time. The JC Penny tie, tie tack and ransom money recovered at the Tena Bar In the immediate aftermath of the hijacking, the FBI, the chief law enforcement agency charged with investigating the case completely searched the airplane and meticulously interviewed witnesses, the flight crew and especially the two stewardesses who interacted with Cooper.  They uncovered numerous fingerprints ultimately determined to be useless, two of the four parachutes the hijacker left behind, a clip on tie that will turn out to be from Penney’s Department store, a pearl festooned tie clasp and eight cigarette butts of the brand “Raleigh”, a cheaper alternative to more high profile tobacco brands. Ken Christiansen Another notorious potential Cooper emerged in a 2007 New York Magazine article which identified a former deceased Northwest Orient purser named Kenneth Christansen as the hijacker.  Christiansen was implicated by his brother, Lyle, who repeatedly told the FBI and various investigators of his suspicion.   Along with the usual secretive deathbed confession while dying in 1994 of cancer, Chritiansen was an experienced paratrooper, a long time crew member with knowledge of a 727 and based out of Seattle.  Christiansen bought a house with cash shortly after the hijacking.  He died with an inexplicably large bank account, a valuable stamp collection, gold pieces and a strange, twenty year Northwest Orient scrapbook of news items that were related to the airline but ended right before the 1971 hijacking.  He smoked, drank whiskey and when Florence Schaffner was shown photos of Christiansen she agreed that he was photographically the closest match to Cooper that she had subsequently seen.  Unfortunately, Tina Mucklow, the flight attendant with the most contact with Cooper would eventually join a nunnery and refuse any interviews concerning the incident.  Two books would be written alleging that Christiansen was the hijacker, but his age in 1971, 45, and his small stature at 5’ 8”, 150 pounds which contradicted most eyewitness accounts make him a poor possibility.  The FBI ignored Christiansen from the start and Ralph Himmelsback personally ruled him out based on physical appearance alone.  Strangely, though the bureau also said that Christiansen was too skilled a paratrooper to have attempted the jump, implying that anyone who knew what they were doing would never have planned such a hijack in such weather and such a remote location. Robert Rackstraw Unfortunately, the notoriety surrounding DB Cooper has also precipitated many journalistic attempts to cash in on the topic.  This seems to be the case in the allegation that Robert Rackstraw, a former Vietnam veteran, helicopter pilot, ex-con and possible CIA operative is DB Cooper.  Rackstraw is a former university instructor and arbitrator who seems to have gotten his life together after a checkered past in the military.  In 2011, Thomas Colbert, a television journalist and law enforcement employee, began an extensively orchestrated investigation that concluded that Rackstraw is DB Cooper.  Over a five year period, Colbert’s team of various former FBI agents, Marshals and prosecuting attorneys sifted through various leads that lead them to individuals who were allegedly connected to the hijack.  It is Colbert’s allegation that three people colluded with Rackstraw and were waiting for him on the ground after Rackstraw jumped out of Flight 305.  Colbert’s team searched an area that an anonymous source told them was where Cooper actually landed and unearthed a parachute strap and pieces of a backpack that they turned over to the FBI.  In 2016, Colbert’s team also turned over information about Rackstraw and his accomplices that the bureau never investigated, instead officially closing the case on July 8, 2016, claiming that no new information had emerged and that the bureau did not have the resources to devote to a forty year plus cold case.  The FBI had already investigated Rackstraw in 1979 and concluded that he was not Cooper.  Colbert responded by maintaining that the FBI does not want to be embarrassed by a group of civilian investigators cracking the case and sued the FBI to release their files under the Freedom of Information Act.   Among the subsequently released maerial were several letters mailed to newspapers from an individual who claimed to be the hijacker.  One letter contains a numerical code that Colbert’s team claims Rackstraw would have known and utilized during his military service.  The numbers were a coded reference to Rackstraw’s elite Vietnam Army intelligence unit and as late as 2018, Colbert was trumpeting this as additional proof of Rackstraw’s secret identity and conveniently using this information to fund his second History Channel documentary on the topic.  Rackstraw’s alleged motive for the hijack was his anger over his discharge from the Army after falsifying his education and military exploits.  A 1970 photograph of Colbert also bears a strong resemblance to the Cooper drawing.  Rackstraw’s responses to Colbert’s investigation have ranged from threats to sue to elliptical statements neither confirming or denying his identity as DB Cooper.  Rackstraw has even hinted that he is in talks to produce his own version of his connection to the case but currently refuses to publicly discuss any connection to the crime.  Based on the FBI’s attitude, the best Colbert will ever be able to do is to convince a television audience that Rackstraw is DB Cooper and it is unlikely that this investigation will result in a prosecution.  However, as long as somebody is willing to finance his investigation, Colbert seems amenable to pursuing the case. Richard F. McCoy grave in North Carolina. Was Richard McCoy actually DB Cooper?]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=505Fri, 16 Mar 2018 17:45:15 +0000Philip D. GibbonsDB Cooper, the man responsible for the most notorious air hijacking in US history. The areas where Cooper may have landed in the state of Washington On Thanksgiving morning, A Portland FBI investigator involved in the case, Ralph Himmelsbach, took it...The areas where Cooper may have landed in the state of Washington On Thanksgiving morning, A Portland FBI investigator involved in the case, Ralph Himmelsbach, took it upon himself to use his own single engine plane to fly over the area where it is believed that Cooper might have bailed out.  He spends much of Thanksgiving Day flying back and forth over Vector 23, the route that flight 305 took through the area, trying to spot some trace of the hijacker.  A parachute, clothing, a campfire, even a body.  He comes up with nothing and, because of the poor weather and visibility, a full scale search on foot will not begin until Friday, November 26.  D. B. Cooper’s hijacking is the lead national network news story, beginning a public fascination with the case that will only increase over time. The JC Penny tie, tie tack and ransom money recovered at the Tena Bar In the immediate aftermath of the hijacking, the FBI, the chief law enforcement agency charged with investigating the case completely searched the airplane and meticulously interviewed witnesses, the flight crew and especially the two stewardesses who interacted with Cooper.  They uncovered numerous fingerprints ultimately determined to be useless, two of the four parachutes the hijacker left behind, a clip on tie that will turn out to be from Penney’s Department store, a pearl festooned tie clasp and eight cigarette butts of the brand “Raleigh”, a cheaper alternative to more high profile tobacco brands. Ken Christiansen Another notorious potential Cooper emerged in a 2007 New York Magazine article which identified a former deceased Northwest Orient purser named Kenneth Christansen as the hijacker.  Christiansen was implicated by his brother, Lyle, who repeatedly told the FBI and various investigators of his suspicion.   Along with the usual secretive deathbed confession while dying in 1994 of cancer, Chritiansen was an experienced paratrooper, a long time crew member with knowledge of a 727 and based out of Seattle.  Christiansen bought a house with cash shortly after the hijacking.  He died with an inexplicably large bank account, a valuable stamp collection, gold pieces and a strange, twenty year Northwest Orient scrapbook of news items that were related to the airline but ended right before the 1971 hijacking.  He smoked, drank whiskey and when Florence Schaffner was shown photos of Christiansen she agreed that he was photographically the closest match to Cooper that she had subsequently seen.  Unfortunately, Tina Mucklow, the flight attendant with the most contact with Cooper would eventually join a nunnery and refuse any interviews concerning the incident.  Two books would be written alleging that Christiansen was the hijacker, but his age in 1971, 45, and his small stature at 5’ 8”, 150 pounds which contradicted most eyewitness accounts make him a poor possibility.  The FBI ignored Christiansen from the start and Ralph Himmelsback personally ruled him out based on physical appearance alone.  Strangely, though the bureau also said that Christiansen was too skilled a paratrooper to have attempted the jump, implying that anyone who knew what they were doing would never have planned such a hijack in such weather and such a remote location. Robert Rackstraw...]]>1468falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/robert-e-lee-stuck-in-the-middle-part-1--69653692Robert E. Lee, 1845, With Son Robert E. Lee was born on January 19, 1807.  He was the son of Henry Lee III and Anne Carter, Henry and Ann’s fifth child. Robert E. Lee's Wife And Daughter Lee was initially assigned to assist in the construction of a fort on the Savannah River, 12 miles from the city of Savannah, Georgia itself.  But construction was unsuccessful and it would be sixteen years before Fort Pulaski was completed.  Long before that, Lee would be fortuitously reassigned to Fort Monroe, near present day Hampton, Virginia.  He visited Mary Custis at her family home, Arlington House, which overlooked the Potomac and Washington, DC.  Lee’s initial proposal to Mary Custis was accepted by her and her mother but her father, George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of George Washington and the grandson of Martha Washington was initially opposed.  Not only was Robert E. Lee from a family with limited financial resources, “Light Horse” Harry Lee’s questionable business practices had brought the hint of scandal to the entire Lee clan. Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson, Photo Taken Only Weeks Before His Death From a leadership perspective, Lee would also be forced to face the reality of the loss of Stonewall Jackson.  Initially thought to be able to recover from his gunshot wounds inflicted by friendly fire, Jackson contracted pneumonia and died on May 10.  Lee was uncharacteristically emotional in a letter to his son, Custis: “It is a terrible loss. I do not know how to replace him.  Such an executive officer the sun never shone on.  I have but to show him my design and if it can be done, it will be done.” Lee and Jackson Commemorative Stamp, With Lee's Ancestral Home, Stratford Hall Both of Lee’s parents emanated from two of Virginia’s most aristocratic families.  Henry Lee III was a Revolutionary War cavalry officer who earned the nickname “Light Horse” for his equestrian ability during combat.  His mother’s family lived at Shirley, one of the oldest and most profitable tobacco plantations in the state of Virginia.  At the time of their marriage, Henry Lee was Virginia’s governor and would also serve the state as a member of the US House of Representatives.  However, by the time of Robert E. Lee’s birth, his father had suffered significant economic setbacks forcing the family to abandon the Lee ancestral home of Stratford Hall.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=492Sat, 23 Dec 2017 07:08:19 +0000Philip D. GibbonsRobert E. Lee, Valiant Hero or Misguided Traitor? Robert E. Lee, 1845, With Son Robert E. Lee was born on January 19, 1807.  He was the son of Henry Lee III and Anne Carter, Henry and Ann’s fifth child. Robert E. Lee's Wife And Daughter Lee was...Robert E. Lee, 1845, With Son Robert E. Lee was born on January 19, 1807.  He was the son of Henry Lee III and Anne Carter, Henry and Ann’s fifth child. Robert E. Lee's Wife And Daughter Lee was initially assigned to assist in the construction of a fort on the Savannah River, 12 miles from the city of Savannah, Georgia itself.  But construction was unsuccessful and it would be sixteen years before Fort Pulaski was completed.  Long before that, Lee would be fortuitously reassigned to Fort Monroe, near present day Hampton, Virginia.  He visited Mary Custis at her family home, Arlington House, which overlooked the Potomac and Washington, DC.  Lee’s initial proposal to Mary Custis was accepted by her and her mother but her father, George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of George Washington and the grandson of Martha Washington was initially opposed.  Not only was Robert E. Lee from a family with limited financial resources, “Light Horse” Harry Lee’s questionable business practices had brought the hint of scandal to the entire Lee clan. Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson, Photo Taken Only Weeks Before His Death From a leadership perspective, Lee would also be forced to face the reality of the loss of Stonewall Jackson.  Initially thought to be able to recover from his gunshot wounds inflicted by friendly fire, Jackson contracted pneumonia and died on May 10.  Lee was uncharacteristically emotional in a letter to his son, Custis: “It is a terrible loss. I do not know how to replace him.  Such an executive officer the sun never shone on.  I have but to show him my design and if it can be done, it will be done.” Lee and Jackson Commemorative Stamp, With Lee's Ancestral Home, Stratford Hall Both of Lee’s parents emanated from two of Virginia’s most aristocratic families.  Henry Lee III was a Revolutionary War cavalry officer who earned the nickname “Light Horse” for his equestrian ability during combat.  His mother’s family lived at Shirley, one of the oldest and most profitable tobacco plantations in the state of Virginia.  At the time of their marriage, Henry Lee was Virginia’s governor and would also serve the state as a member of the US House of Representatives.  However, by the time of Robert E. Lee’s birth, his father had suffered significant economic setbacks forcing the family to abandon the Lee ancestral home of Stratford Hall.]]>2684falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/robert-e-lee-stuck-in-the-middle-part-2--69653671Arlington House, Occupied By Federal Troops, 1864 George Parke Custis was kicked out of Princeton, left St. John’s College of Annapolis after only one semester and made a living renting out all of the various plantation properties that he had inherited.  By comparison to the industrious and spartan Robert E. Lee, Custis was an indolent patrician who lived on the wealth of his ancestors. Eventually, understanding that his daughter was enthusiastic about marrying Lee, Mary Custis’ father agreed to the marriage of his only child, which took place at Arlington House on June 30, 1831. Robert E. Lee and His Horse, Traveller Lee immediately realized that the attack was not only a failure but a disaster.  On his horse Traveller he is said to have galloped forward and greeted his defeated troops by saying “It is my fault.”  Of Pickett’s 6,000 men, 3,000 were casualties including all 15 regimental commanders.  Other units suffered similarly bringing casualties to approximately 6,500 suffered in less than an hour.  Lee quickly became concerned that Meade might follow with a counterattack but when he ordered General Pickett to prepare his division for such an eventuality, Pickett is said to have replied, “General Lee, I have no division.” Robert E. Lee, by Matthew Brady Lee’s disappointment in his defeat at Gettysburg was so profound that he submitted his resignation to Jefferson Davis.  Lee indicated that he was to blame for the loss at Gettysburg and he questioned whether he could continue to meet the physical demands of military command.  Davis emphatically rejected Lee’s offer of resignation, telling him that replacing would be an impossibility. Mary Lee, In Old Age Lee did not live long enough to observe the post war reality of race relations, especially in the southern United States, but, based on the attitudes that both he and his wife expressed during their lifetime, he would not have found them problematic. Washington and Lee University Commemorative Stamp General Lee not even sure as to what he would do with the rest of his life.  He was 58 years old but other than the military he had no other occupation.  He must have considered it fortunate when the rector of Washington College in Lexington, VA offered him the presidency of the school.  Besides a salary which included a percentage of tuition, Lee was promised a residence.  In exchange he would administer the school and be asked to teach a course in philosophy.  Robert E. Lee accepted the position. Robert E. Lee Chapel on the Campus of Washington and Lee University In late September, Lee prepared for the beginning of Washington College’s 1870-1871 academic year.  On September 28, at a meeting of the directors of his local church, Lee’s last official act was to agree to make up the remaining $55 of the rector’s salary out of his own pocket.  He walked home and when he got to the dinner table, he was unable to lead his family in grace or even speak at all.  They sat him down and called a doctor, Lee clearly afflicted by some traumatic event which turned out to be a massive stroke.  Robert E. Lee lingered for two weeks, lying quietly in a bed in the main room of his home surrounded by family.  He died quietly on October 12, 1870, aged 63.  His glorification began immediately with a name change of Washington College to Washington and Lee University, Lee having initiated both law and business schools as part of the school’s curriculum. View From Arlington House Today Robert E. Lee will always remain a complex and fascinating figure of historical prominence.  Hopefully, the pendulum which initially swung too far in favor of insensitive adulation will eventually swing back from strident, out of context vilification to a more sensible middle ground]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=483Sat, 23 Dec 2017 06:54:04 +0000Philip D. GibbonsRobert E. Lee: Valiant Hero or Misguided Traitor? Arlington House, Occupied By Federal Troops, 1864 George Parke Custis was kicked out of Princeton, left St. John’s College of Annapolis after only one semester and made a living renting out all of the...Arlington House, Occupied By Federal Troops, 1864 George Parke Custis was kicked out of Princeton, left St. John’s College of Annapolis after only one semester and made a living renting out all of the various plantation properties that he had inherited.  By comparison to the industrious and spartan Robert E. Lee, Custis was an indolent patrician who lived on the wealth of his ancestors. Eventually, understanding that his daughter was enthusiastic about marrying Lee, Mary Custis’ father agreed to the marriage of his only child, which took place at Arlington House on June 30, 1831. Robert E. Lee and His Horse, Traveller Lee immediately realized that the attack was not only a failure but a disaster.  On his horse Traveller he is said to have galloped forward and greeted his defeated troops by saying “It is my fault.”  Of Pickett’s 6,000 men, 3,000 were casualties including all 15 regimental commanders.  Other units suffered similarly bringing casualties to approximately 6,500 suffered in less than an hour.  Lee quickly became concerned that Meade might follow with a counterattack but when he ordered General Pickett to prepare his division for such an eventuality, Pickett is said to have replied, “General Lee, I have no division.” Robert E. Lee, by Matthew Brady Lee’s disappointment in his defeat at Gettysburg was so profound that he submitted his resignation to Jefferson Davis.  Lee indicated that he was to blame for the loss at Gettysburg and he questioned whether he could continue to meet the physical demands of military command.  Davis emphatically rejected Lee’s offer of resignation, telling him that replacing would be an impossibility. Mary Lee, In Old Age Lee did not live long enough to observe the post war reality of race relations, especially in the southern United States, but, based on the attitudes that both he and his wife expressed during their lifetime, he would not have found them problematic. Washington and Lee University Commemorative Stamp General Lee not even sure as to what he would do with the rest of his life.  He was 58 years old but other than the military he had no other occupation.  He must have considered it fortunate when the rector of Washington College in Lexington, VA offered him the presidency of the school.  Besides a salary which included a percentage of tuition, Lee was promised a residence.  In exchange he would administer the school and be asked to teach a course in philosophy.  Robert E. Lee accepted the position. Robert E. Lee Chapel on the Campus of Washington and Lee University In late September, Lee prepared for the beginning of Washington College’s 1870-1871 academic year.  On September 28, at a meeting of the directors of his local church, Lee’s last official act was to agree to make up the remaining $55 of the rector’s salary out of his own pocket.  He walked home and when he got to the dinner table, he was unable to lead his family in grace or even speak at all.  They sat him down and called a doctor, Lee clearly afflicted by some...]]>2136falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/herman-melville-from-obscurity-to-immortality-part-one--69653678Herman Melville, 1861 When he died at age 72, on September 28, 1891, Herman Melville was so obscure that those who even remembered his literary output presumed that he had passed away many decades earlier.  Melville’s works were out of print, his last novel published more than thirty years before his death.  The title of his epic work Moby Dick was misspelled in Melville’s New York Times obituary and one of his most respected efforts, “Billy Budd, Sailor,” had not even been published. Elizabeth Shaw Melville, Melville's Wife Despite the initial Shaw family misgivings about how their future son-in-law would make a living as a writer, Herman Melville and Elizabeth Shaw were married in Boston, in August of 1847.  They became permanent residents of New York City and the writer spent the next few years grinding out a succession of books. Nathaniel Hawthorne Packing off his family to his in-laws in Boston, in October, 1856, Melville first set out for Glasgow and then Liverpool and a meeting with his friend, now diplomat, Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Their reunion was friendly even warm but Hawthorne’s journal entries, while empathetic, depict Melville as a conflicted, lost soul.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=473Mon, 25 Sep 2017 21:15:58 +0000Philip D. GibbonsHerman Melville: From obscurity to immortality Herman Melville, 1861 When he died at age 72, on September 28, 1891, Herman Melville was so obscure that those who even remembered his literary output presumed that he had passed away many decades...Herman Melville, 1861 When he died at age 72, on September 28, 1891, Herman Melville was so obscure that those who even remembered his literary output presumed that he had passed away many decades earlier.  Melville’s works were out of print, his last novel published more than thirty years before his death.  The title of his epic work Moby Dick was misspelled in Melville’s New York Times obituary and one of his most respected efforts, “Billy Budd, Sailor,” had not even been published. Elizabeth Shaw Melville, Melville's Wife Despite the initial Shaw family misgivings about how their future son-in-law would make a living as a writer, Herman Melville and Elizabeth Shaw were married in Boston, in August of 1847.  They became permanent residents of New York City and the writer spent the next few years grinding out a succession of books. Nathaniel Hawthorne Packing off his family to his in-laws in Boston, in October, 1856, Melville first set out for Glasgow and then Liverpool and a meeting with his friend, now diplomat, Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Their reunion was friendly even warm but Hawthorne’s journal entries, while empathetic, depict Melville as a conflicted, lost soul.]]>1415falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/herman-melville-from-obscurity-to-immortality-part-two--69653680Melville's Massachusetts Home-Arrowhead Over forty, Melville need not be concerned with actually having to fight for the Union but in 1863, he and his wife decided to move back to New York City, exchanging Arrowhead, which he was unable to sell, for his brother Allan’s East 26th Street home. Herman Melville, Last Photograph, Mid-1880's Throughout this time period, Melville continued to toil away at his custom’s officer’s job.  When he began working at the Customs House in 1866 he took a horse drawn streetcar to work.  By the 1880’s, so much time had passed that Melville took the Third Avenue El, an elevated railway, to his office on the Upper East Side. Elizabeth Shaw Melville, Later In Life Melville would remain in this position until his resignation on December 31, 1885.  By that time, his wife had inherited a considerable amount of money from an aunt and other relatives, enough to allow Herman to retire.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=467Mon, 25 Sep 2017 21:09:48 +0000Philip D. GibbonsHerman Melville: From Obscurity to Immortality Melville's Massachusetts Home-Arrowhead Over forty, Melville need not be concerned with actually having to fight for the Union but in 1863, he and his wife decided to move back to New York City,...Melville's Massachusetts Home-Arrowhead Over forty, Melville need not be concerned with actually having to fight for the Union but in 1863, he and his wife decided to move back to New York City, exchanging Arrowhead, which he was unable to sell, for his brother Allan’s East 26th Street home. Herman Melville, Last Photograph, Mid-1880's Throughout this time period, Melville continued to toil away at his custom’s officer’s job.  When he began working at the Customs House in 1866 he took a horse drawn streetcar to work.  By the 1880’s, so much time had passed that Melville took the Third Avenue El, an elevated railway, to his office on the Upper East Side. Elizabeth Shaw Melville, Later In Life Melville would remain in this position until his resignation on December 31, 1885.  By that time, his wife had inherited a considerable amount of money from an aunt and other relatives, enough to allow Herman to retire.]]>1530falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ted-ngoy-the-donut-king-of-southern-california--69653614Ted Ngoy's First Donut Shop, La Habra, California Eventually, in 1976, one of Ted's customers showed him an ad in the local newspaper, the Orange County Register, advertising a donut shop for sale.  Ngoy had meticulously saved 20,000 dollars, the seller financed the rest of the $45,000 purchase price. Ted and his wife, Suganthini, with Richard Nixon By 1985, Ted was a millionaire and a very respected member of the Cambodian community.  He and his wife moved into a 7,000 square foot home in Mission Viejo and Ngoy became active in the Orange County Republican Party. Ted Ngoy in Cambodia, 2017 Most media accounts of Ted Ngoy end sometime around 2014.  It’s hard to keep up with an individual so far away from the western press, even in the age of the internet. But, judging from his Facebook page, he is alive and surviving quite well. His “photos” page features him, a man in his seventies, with a much younger and beautiful woman who he began dating when she was in her teens.  Judging from the photo they seem quite happy.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=455Fri, 01 Sep 2017 19:49:34 +0000Philip D. GibbonsTed Ngoy, the ultimate American Dream, including donuts Ted Ngoy's First Donut Shop, La Habra, California Eventually, in 1976, one of Ted's customers showed him an ad in the local newspaper, the Orange County Register, advertising a donut shop for...Ted Ngoy's First Donut Shop, La Habra, California Eventually, in 1976, one of Ted's customers showed him an ad in the local newspaper, the Orange County Register, advertising a donut shop for sale.  Ngoy had meticulously saved 20,000 dollars, the seller financed the rest of the $45,000 purchase price. Ted and his wife, Suganthini, with Richard Nixon By 1985, Ted was a millionaire and a very respected member of the Cambodian community.  He and his wife moved into a 7,000 square foot home in Mission Viejo and Ngoy became active in the Orange County Republican Party. Ted Ngoy in Cambodia, 2017 Most media accounts of Ted Ngoy end sometime around 2014.  It’s hard to keep up with an individual so far away from the western press, even in the age of the internet. But, judging from his Facebook page, he is alive and surviving quite well. His “photos” page features him, a man in his seventies, with a much younger and beautiful woman who he began dating when she was in her teens.  Judging from the photo they seem quite happy.]]>1368falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/frida-kahlo-her-life-and-remarkable-work-part-1--69653687Frida Kahlo Photographed By Her Father Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo Calderon was born on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacan, Mexico. Today, Coyoacan, officially a borough of the Federal District, is part of the urban sprawl of Mexico City.  But when Frida was born it consisted of open space, farm and ranch land.  Although her birth probably occurred at her grandmother’s house, Frida would spend her childhood and much of her life living in the Casa Azul, the blue house built by her father in 1904. Carl Wilhelm Kahlo was born in Germany and emigrated to Mexico in 1891, when he was nineteen, his Hungarian father, a wealthy jeweler, paying for his passage. Frida and Diego Rivera Known during her lifetime as merely the wife of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo subsequently ascended to artistic prominence and popular culture fame in her own right, becoming a worldwide social and political icon. Her sickly childhood, painful existence, tortured relationship with Rivera and brief life provided a tragic backdrop to her artistic accomplishment, now recognized as unique and transcendental.  She remains so revered in Mexico that her works have been designated as national heritage objects, prohibited from foreign export.  Internationally, she is now perceived as one of the most important and original artists of the twentieth century. La Casa Azul La Cas Azul, Frida Kahlo's ancestral home. Frida and Diego Rivera's House With Separate Residences In early September, Frida got a telegram from her family back in Mexico City informing her that her mother was seriously ill, her breast cancer now entering a terminal stage.  Accompanied by her American friend Lucienne Bloch, she was forced to take trains and even a bus over the flooded Rio Grande back to the Mexican capital, an arduous journey that took five days.  One week after her arrival, her mother died, leaving her father in a state of grief and confusion.  She would remain in Mexico for a month to grieve with her family and also check on the house that was being built for her and Diego.  Her prospective home would have a bridge that connected two separate wings of the structure, one for her and one for him.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=446Sat, 27 May 2017 22:49:03 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFrida Kahlo, Mexican icon Frida Kahlo Photographed By Her Father Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo Calderon was born on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacan, Mexico. Today, Coyoacan, officially a borough of the Federal District, is part of the urban sprawl of Mexico...Frida Kahlo Photographed By Her Father Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo Calderon was born on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacan, Mexico. Today, Coyoacan, officially a borough of the Federal District, is part of the urban sprawl of Mexico City.  But when Frida was born it consisted of open space, farm and ranch land.  Although her birth probably occurred at her grandmother’s house, Frida would spend her childhood and much of her life living in the Casa Azul, the blue house built by her father in 1904. Carl Wilhelm Kahlo was born in Germany and emigrated to Mexico in 1891, when he was nineteen, his Hungarian father, a wealthy jeweler, paying for his passage. Frida and Diego Rivera Known during her lifetime as merely the wife of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo subsequently ascended to artistic prominence and popular culture fame in her own right, becoming a worldwide social and political icon. Her sickly childhood, painful existence, tortured relationship with Rivera and brief life provided a tragic backdrop to her artistic accomplishment, now recognized as unique and transcendental.  She remains so revered in Mexico that her works have been designated as national heritage objects, prohibited from foreign export.  Internationally, she is now perceived as one of the most important and original artists of the twentieth century. La Casa Azul La Cas Azul, Frida Kahlo's ancestral home. Frida and Diego Rivera's House With Separate Residences In early September, Frida got a telegram from her family back in Mexico City informing her that her mother was seriously ill, her breast cancer now entering a terminal stage.  Accompanied by her American friend Lucienne Bloch, she was forced to take trains and even a bus over the flooded Rio Grande back to the Mexican capital, an arduous journey that took five days.  One week after her arrival, her mother died, leaving her father in a state of grief and confusion.  She would remain in Mexico for a month to grieve with her family and also check on the house that was being built for her and Diego.  Her prospective home would have a bridge that connected two separate wings of the structure, one for her and one for him.]]>1544falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/frida-kahlo-her-life-and-remarkable-work-part-two--69653620Trotsky In Mexico Since the death of Lenin in 1924, a power struggle over not only over the Soviet government but also the international Communist movement ensued with the winner Josef Stalin and the loser Leon Trotsky.  But Stalin was not content with merely expelling Trotsky from the party and the country.  His megalomaniac paranoia would subsequently require the physical extermination of his opponent, including Trotsky’s family.  Many of Trotsky’s relatives, including his first wife and children would be imprisoned, exiled or executed.  Initially expelled by Stalin, Trotsky himself fled first to Turkey, then France, where he was initially offered asylum but subsequently rejected and ultimately Norway, which also eventually deported Trotsky to Mexico Trotsky's Study And Assassination Location, Mexico City In the winter of 1939, Frida would be reintroduced to a Trotskyite sympathizer named Jacques Mornard.  While in Paris, Mornard, who lived in the French capital at the time, claimed that he was moving to Mexico City and aggressively asked her to help secure him a home near hers and an introduction to Leon Trotsky.  She refused, explaining that she and her husband had had a falling out with Trotsky and suggested he find a residence on his own.  Mornard eventually made his way to Mexico, accompanied by his American girlfriend, Sylvia Ageloff, a trusted member of Trotsky’s inner circle.  It would take months, but Mornard, who routinely dropped Sylvia off at the Trotsky compound and did small favors for the entourage eventually ingratiated himself into obtaining a personal meeting with the Soviet exile.  Ostensibly, Trotsky was to review a political article that Mornard had written.  In the late afternoon of August 20, Leon Trotsky ushered the younger man into his study and began to read his work.  Unfortunately for Trotsky, Jacques Mornard was actually Ramon Mercader, a specially recruited Stalinist assassin who took an ice axe from underneath his rain coat and plunged it into Trotsky’s skull.  Although the blow did not immediately kill Leon Trotsky, he would die of his injuries within 24 hours. Frida Painting In Bed Most of the rest of the decade would be consumed by painting, teaching and attempting to find solutions for the various ailments that plagued her which included a chronically infected hand, her right foot which was troublesome and restrictive, a deteriorating spinal column that was also overwhelmingly painful and even possible syphilis that was diagnosed in the early forties.  However, it would be during this time period that Frida would paint some of her most quintessential works. Frida's Four Poster Bed, Frida Kahlo Museum Frida’s degenerative spinal condition would begin to require surgery and a succession of casts designed to allow her mobility.  She would fly to New York in May of 1946 for surgery that would fuse four vertebrae with bone and a metal rod.  Returning to Mexico, she would be placed in a steel corset and remain bedridden for eight months. Frida's Life Mask, Frida Kahlo Museum Frida Kahlo celebrated her 47th and last birthday on July 6, 1954.  Drawings and notations in her diary indicate that however it would arrive, she knew the end was near.  Officially, she would die sometime in the early morning of July 13, from what a doctor officially noted as a “pulmonary embolism.”  Wracked by pneumonia, in constant and excessive pain only dulled by massive amounts of opiates, this certainly would not be a far-fetched prognosis.  However, on the evening before her death she insisted on giving Diego Rivera an anniversary present, despite the fact that their anniversary was a month away.  Later, her nurse would claim that Frida intentionally exceeded the number of painkillers she was supposed to take.  Her final diary entry was both ominous and revelatory:             “I hope the exit is joyful-and I hope never to come back.” La Casa Azul Today, Frida Kahlo Museum]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=437Sat, 27 May 2017 22:37:02 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFrida Kahlo: Mexican Icon Trotsky In Mexico Since the death of Lenin in 1924, a power struggle over not only over the Soviet government but also the international Communist movement ensued with the winner Josef Stalin and the loser Leon Trotsky.  But...Trotsky In Mexico Since the death of Lenin in 1924, a power struggle over not only over the Soviet government but also the international Communist movement ensued with the winner Josef Stalin and the loser Leon Trotsky.  But Stalin was not content with merely expelling Trotsky from the party and the country.  His megalomaniac paranoia would subsequently require the physical extermination of his opponent, including Trotsky’s family.  Many of Trotsky’s relatives, including his first wife and children would be imprisoned, exiled or executed.  Initially expelled by Stalin, Trotsky himself fled first to Turkey, then France, where he was initially offered asylum but subsequently rejected and ultimately Norway, which also eventually deported Trotsky to Mexico Trotsky's Study And Assassination Location, Mexico City In the winter of 1939, Frida would be reintroduced to a Trotskyite sympathizer named Jacques Mornard.  While in Paris, Mornard, who lived in the French capital at the time, claimed that he was moving to Mexico City and aggressively asked her to help secure him a home near hers and an introduction to Leon Trotsky.  She refused, explaining that she and her husband had had a falling out with Trotsky and suggested he find a residence on his own.  Mornard eventually made his way to Mexico, accompanied by his American girlfriend, Sylvia Ageloff, a trusted member of Trotsky’s inner circle.  It would take months, but Mornard, who routinely dropped Sylvia off at the Trotsky compound and did small favors for the entourage eventually ingratiated himself into obtaining a personal meeting with the Soviet exile.  Ostensibly, Trotsky was to review a political article that Mornard had written.  In the late afternoon of August 20, Leon Trotsky ushered the younger man into his study and began to read his work.  Unfortunately for Trotsky, Jacques Mornard was actually Ramon Mercader, a specially recruited Stalinist assassin who took an ice axe from underneath his rain coat and plunged it into Trotsky’s skull.  Although the blow did not immediately kill Leon Trotsky, he would die of his injuries within 24 hours. Frida Painting In Bed Most of the rest of the decade would be consumed by painting, teaching and attempting to find solutions for the various ailments that plagued her which included a chronically infected hand, her right foot which was troublesome and restrictive, a deteriorating spinal column that was also overwhelmingly painful and even possible syphilis that was diagnosed in the early forties.  However, it would be during this time period that Frida would paint some of her most quintessential works. Frida's Four Poster Bed, Frida Kahlo Museum Frida’s degenerative spinal condition would begin to require surgery and a succession of casts designed to allow her mobility.  She would fly to New York in May of 1946 for surgery that would fuse four vertebrae with bone and a metal rod.  Returning to Mexico, she would be placed in a steel corset and remain bedridden for eight months. Frida's Life Mask, Frida Kahlo Museum Frida Kahlo celebrated her 47th and last birthday on July 6, 1954.  Drawings and notations in her diary indicate that however it would arrive, she knew the end was near.  Officially, she would die...]]>1483falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ian-fleming-creator-of-james-bond-part-1--69653667Ian Fleming, Naval Intelligence Ian Fleming was born on May 28, 1908, the second son of Valentine and Evelyn Fleming. Both parents came from upper crust British backgrounds, Evelyn, known as Eve, was the descendant of a solicitor paternal grandfather and a maternal grandfather who was the personal physician to Queen Victoria, both of whom would be knighted for their efforts. Valentine, known as Val, was the son of the wildly successful Robert Fleming, a pioneering British financier who originated the investment bank Robert Fleming and Company. Muriel Wright, The real "Bond Girl" Although it would not become meaningful for many years, Ian Fleming initiated a relationship in August of 1935 that would have a profound effect on his future literary life.  In Kitzbuhel, on a summer holiday, he met twenty-six year old Muriel Wright.  Although she came from the type of elite British background that didn’t require that she work for a living, she was a professional model, especially of ski apparel and bathing suits with a figure to back it up.  She and Fleming hit it off immediately and they spent a great deal of time together.  Unfortunately, Muriel adored Ian Fleming, a situation that he took full advantage of, enjoying her company but not having the slightest intention of moving the relationship forward in any meaningful way. Ann Charteris, before her marriage to Fleming If Muriel was totally smitten and more than a little naive, Ann Charteris, another girlfriend, was more calculating and fully expected Fleming to propose when her husband was killed in the war.  He didn’t so she instead married Esmond Harmsworth, the Viscount of Rothermere. But, even after her marriage, Ann continued to see Ian on the side, a typically twisted Fleming emotional relationship.  When she miscarried with her first child, it was rumored to actually be Fleming’s and not her husband’s. Fleming's Home, Goldeneye, Jamaica By the end of the war, Fleming was interested in attempting to emulate his brother Peter Fleming, an accomplished travel writer and journalist for The Times.  But Fleming was not ready to forego a steady salary for the potentially financially unrewarding life of a writer so instead he took a job with the Kemsley Newspaper chain as a mid level manager.  Because his position allowed up to three months of annual vacation, Fleming spent all of his time off in Jamaica, which he first visited during the war.  He also began building a home near the northern coastline on Oracabessa Bay.  He would name this property Goldeneye and it would quickly become a destination for various British writers and celebrities who also spent time at the nearby Firefly, a home owned by Noel Coward.  Goldeneye overlooked a beach and a coral reef teeming with exotic fish and crustaceans and would play an important role in both Fleming’s romantic and professional life. Fleming with his first novel, Casino Royale Sometime in early 1952, Fleming began a process that he would continue while in Jamaica for the rest of his life.  After an early morning swim in the reef off of Goldeneye and breakfast in the garden with his wife, he would sit at a roll top desk in his living room and write continuously until noon.  After a nap and an afternoon outside, Fleming would return to whatever he had written earlier in the day and correct it.  The finished pages would then be deposited in his desk.  Although the exact date that Fleming began writing his first manuscript is still up for debate, it was finished in as little as four weeks on the eighteenth of March, 1952.  The novel was 62,000 words.  It was entitled Casino Royale.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=426Fri, 24 Mar 2017 21:06:09 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIan Fleming, who proved that a great deal of fiction is factual. Ian Fleming, Naval Intelligence Ian Fleming was born on May 28, 1908, the second son of Valentine and Evelyn Fleming. Both parents came from upper crust British backgrounds, Evelyn,...Ian Fleming, Naval Intelligence Ian Fleming was born on May 28, 1908, the second son of Valentine and Evelyn Fleming. Both parents came from upper crust British backgrounds, Evelyn, known as Eve, was the descendant of a solicitor paternal grandfather and a maternal grandfather who was the personal physician to Queen Victoria, both of whom would be knighted for their efforts. Valentine, known as Val, was the son of the wildly successful Robert Fleming, a pioneering British financier who originated the investment bank Robert Fleming and Company. Muriel Wright, The real "Bond Girl" Although it would not become meaningful for many years, Ian Fleming initiated a relationship in August of 1935 that would have a profound effect on his future literary life.  In Kitzbuhel, on a summer holiday, he met twenty-six year old Muriel Wright.  Although she came from the type of elite British background that didn’t require that she work for a living, she was a professional model, especially of ski apparel and bathing suits with a figure to back it up.  She and Fleming hit it off immediately and they spent a great deal of time together.  Unfortunately, Muriel adored Ian Fleming, a situation that he took full advantage of, enjoying her company but not having the slightest intention of moving the relationship forward in any meaningful way. Ann Charteris, before her marriage to Fleming If Muriel was totally smitten and more than a little naive, Ann Charteris, another girlfriend, was more calculating and fully expected Fleming to propose when her husband was killed in the war.  He didn’t so she instead married Esmond Harmsworth, the Viscount of Rothermere. But, even after her marriage, Ann continued to see Ian on the side, a typically twisted Fleming emotional relationship.  When she miscarried with her first child, it was rumored to actually be Fleming’s and not her husband’s. Fleming's Home, Goldeneye, Jamaica By the end of the war, Fleming was interested in attempting to emulate his brother Peter Fleming, an accomplished travel writer and journalist for The Times.  But Fleming was not ready to forego a steady salary for the potentially financially unrewarding life of a writer so instead he took a job with the Kemsley Newspaper chain as a mid level manager.  Because his position allowed up to three months of annual vacation, Fleming spent all of his time off in Jamaica, which he first visited during the war.  He also began building a home near the northern coastline on Oracabessa Bay.  He would name this property Goldeneye and it would quickly become a destination for various British writers and celebrities who also spent time at the nearby Firefly, a home owned by Noel Coward.  Goldeneye overlooked a beach and a coral reef teeming with exotic fish and crustaceans and would play an important role in both Fleming’s romantic and professional life. Fleming with his first novel, Casino Royale Sometime in early 1952, Fleming began a process that he would continue while in Jamaica for the rest of his life.  After an early morning swim in the reef off of Goldeneye and breakfast in the garden with his wife, he would sit at a roll top desk in his living room and write...]]>1431falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ian-fleming-creator-of-james-bond-part-2--69653676Ian Fleming, with his first novel Casino Royal Acquiring a name for his protagonist was simple enough.  When cosmopolitan visitors to Goldeneye found themselves a little bored by the repetitive, tropical languor, Fleming suggested some bird watching accompanied by the book Macmillan’s Field Guide to the West Indies by James Bond, a volume that sat prominently on a shelf near Ian’s desk.  Fleming deliberately wanted a simple name for a character that he described as “an anonymous blunt instrument wielded by a Government Department.” Blanche Blackwell Most likely, this aspect of the annual Jamaica sojourn did not go well, as Ann Fleming would return home in less than a month.  It was probably about this time that Fleming returned to his philandering ways, involving himself with an exotic, wealthy Jamaican neighbor, Blanche Blackwell, a formerly platonic friend who had at some indistinct moment became his lover.  Blanche’s family was among the most prominent of Jamaica’s colonial hierarchy and she was the carefree counterpart to Fleming’s wife’s combative tension.  Part of Ann’s discomfort, hostility and early return to Britain may have been her acknowledgement of this situation. Sean Connery, Amsterdam, during "Diamonds Are Forever" Ian Fleming stayed out of most of the major decisions revolving around the production of Dr. No.  He had no interest in composing the script and while he suggested first David Niven and then Roger Moore as the leading man, Broccoli had other ideas.  As Bond, he cast a relative unknown Scot, Sean Connery and plucked Ursula Andress out of total obscurity for the role of Honey Ryder. Ian and Anne Fleming, later in life On August 11, after dinner with his wife and a friend, Fleming suffered another massive heart attack.  Although he was coherent enough to joke with the ambulance driver who took him to the hospital, he would die in the early morning hours of August 12, aged 56.  It was also his son’s twelfth birthday. Caspar Fleming, far left Although Ian Fleming died on top of the publishing world, his wife and son would both experience great unhappiness following his death.  Although his son showed some academic promise as a teenager, he was expelled from Eton for, among other things, possessing loaded firearms in his dorm room.  He left Oxford after two years, accessed his trust fund at age twenty-one and quickly became an intravenous drug user.  He would commit suicide by a drug overdose of barbituates at his mother’s London apartment on October 2, 1975, aged 23. Grave of Ian, Anne and Caspar Fleming, Sevenhampton Never having come to terms with her relationship with her husband, Ann Fleming was plunged into deep depression and alcoholism after the death of her son.  She passed away from cancer at age 68, on July 12, 1981, at her home, Sevenhampton Place.  Today the mansion is owned by an auto racing magnate.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=413Fri, 24 Mar 2017 20:59:57 +0000Philip D. GibbonsIan Fleming proved that a great deal of fiction is factual Ian Fleming, with his first novel Casino Royal Acquiring a name for his protagonist was simple enough.  When cosmopolitan visitors to Goldeneye found themselves a little bored by the...Ian Fleming, with his first novel Casino Royal Acquiring a name for his protagonist was simple enough.  When cosmopolitan visitors to Goldeneye found themselves a little bored by the repetitive, tropical languor, Fleming suggested some bird watching accompanied by the book Macmillan’s Field Guide to the West Indies by James Bond, a volume that sat prominently on a shelf near Ian’s desk.  Fleming deliberately wanted a simple name for a character that he described as “an anonymous blunt instrument wielded by a Government Department.” Blanche Blackwell Most likely, this aspect of the annual Jamaica sojourn did not go well, as Ann Fleming would return home in less than a month.  It was probably about this time that Fleming returned to his philandering ways, involving himself with an exotic, wealthy Jamaican neighbor, Blanche Blackwell, a formerly platonic friend who had at some indistinct moment became his lover.  Blanche’s family was among the most prominent of Jamaica’s colonial hierarchy and she was the carefree counterpart to Fleming’s wife’s combative tension.  Part of Ann’s discomfort, hostility and early return to Britain may have been her acknowledgement of this situation. Sean Connery, Amsterdam, during "Diamonds Are Forever" Ian Fleming stayed out of most of the major decisions revolving around the production of Dr. No.  He had no interest in composing the script and while he suggested first David Niven and then Roger Moore as the leading man, Broccoli had other ideas.  As Bond, he cast a relative unknown Scot, Sean Connery and plucked Ursula Andress out of total obscurity for the role of Honey Ryder. Ian and Anne Fleming, later in life On August 11, after dinner with his wife and a friend, Fleming suffered another massive heart attack.  Although he was coherent enough to joke with the ambulance driver who took him to the hospital, he would die in the early morning hours of August 12, aged 56.  It was also his son’s twelfth birthday. Caspar Fleming, far left Although Ian Fleming died on top of the publishing world, his wife and son would both experience great unhappiness following his death.  Although his son showed some academic promise as a teenager, he was expelled from Eton for, among other things, possessing loaded firearms in his dorm room.  He left Oxford after two years, accessed his trust fund at age twenty-one and quickly became an intravenous drug user.  He would commit suicide by a drug overdose of barbituates at his mother’s London apartment on October 2, 1975, aged 23. Grave of Ian, Anne and Caspar Fleming, Sevenhampton Never having come to terms with her relationship with her husband, Ann Fleming was plunged into deep depression and alcoholism after the death of her son.  She passed away from cancer at age 68, on July 12, 1981, at her home, Sevenhampton Place.  Today the mansion is owned by an auto racing magnate.]]>1466falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/grigori-rasputin-the-wrong-man-in-the-right-place-part-one--69653685Rasputin, Early Years Grigori Rasputin was born on January 9, 1869, in the Siberian village of Pokrovskoe, one of nine children of Efim and Anna.  Even the number of surviving siblings of Rasputin is a matter of dispute. Possibly all of his nine brothers and sisters died only a few days after they were born and the only sister to perhaps survive was born in 1875 and named Feodosiya. That such biographical information is unclear is due to both the disorganization at this level of Russian society and the remote location of Rasputin’s birth and early life. Pokrovskoe was a small town located on the Tura river between the Siberian cities of Tyumen and Tobolsk. Tyumen is 1300 miles east of Moscow, even today an eighteen-hour automobile journey. In the late nineteenth century, this would have been a remote and isolated part of the world. Nicholas, Alexandra and Family Few individuals have generated as many legends and falsehoods as Grigori Efimovich Rasputin, the so-called “Mad Monk” of Russia. That Rasputin was neither mad or a monk is typical of much of the characterization of this Siberian peasant who would achieve a position of great influence over the government and court of Nicholas II of Russia, the last Tsar of the Romanov dynasty. Rasputin, Royal Family and Governess By the spring of 1907, Alexandra decided to introduce Rasputin to Anna Vyrubova, officially a lady-in-waiting at court but also the Tsarina’s closest friend.  Anna was another deeply religious woman from an aristocratic family, who married briefly and unhappily and became one of Rasputin’s most devout disciples.  Her opinion only strengthened his appeal to the Tsarina who trusted Vyrubova implicitly.  This connection further ingratiated Rasputin with other members of the aristocracy, although the staretz was starting to engender feelings of either great enthusiasm or profound disgust, a consistent thread throughout the rest of Rasputin’s life. Pyotr Stolypin By 1911, Stolypin had survived numerous assassination attempts, including a bombing that killed 28 people and almost killed his daughter.  As a result, Stolypin moved into the secure confines of the Winter Palace.  Pragmatic and politically astute, after a single interview with Rasputin, Stolypin came to the conclusion that the man’s influence over the ruling family was dangerous and should be eliminated.  However, historical accounts indicate that he repeatedly brought up the matter with the Tsar, who typically responded by deflecting any confrontation.  To his daughter, Stolypin said in the summer of 1911: “Nothing can be done about it. Every time I had an opportunity to warn the Tsar, I did.  And here is what he told me recently:  “I agree with you Pyotr Arkadievich, but better ten Rasputins than one of the Empress’s  hysterical fits.  That’s what the reason was.  The empress is ill, seriously ill, she believes that Rasputin is the only person in the whole world who can help the heir and it is beyond human capacity to dissuade her about it.”  ]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=386Fri, 20 Jan 2017 21:26:57 +0000Philip D. GibbonsRasputin, the wrong man in the right place. Rasputin, Early Years Grigori Rasputin was born on January 9, 1869, in the Siberian village of Pokrovskoe, one of nine children of Efim and Anna.  Even the number of surviving siblings of Rasputin is a...Rasputin, Early Years Grigori Rasputin was born on January 9, 1869, in the Siberian village of Pokrovskoe, one of nine children of Efim and Anna.  Even the number of surviving siblings of Rasputin is a matter of dispute. Possibly all of his nine brothers and sisters died only a few days after they were born and the only sister to perhaps survive was born in 1875 and named Feodosiya. That such biographical information is unclear is due to both the disorganization at this level of Russian society and the remote location of Rasputin’s birth and early life. Pokrovskoe was a small town located on the Tura river between the Siberian cities of Tyumen and Tobolsk. Tyumen is 1300 miles east of Moscow, even today an eighteen-hour automobile journey. In the late nineteenth century, this would have been a remote and isolated part of the world. Nicholas, Alexandra and Family Few individuals have generated as many legends and falsehoods as Grigori Efimovich Rasputin, the so-called “Mad Monk” of Russia. That Rasputin was neither mad or a monk is typical of much of the characterization of this Siberian peasant who would achieve a position of great influence over the government and court of Nicholas II of Russia, the last Tsar of the Romanov dynasty. Rasputin, Royal Family and Governess By the spring of 1907, Alexandra decided to introduce Rasputin to Anna Vyrubova, officially a lady-in-waiting at court but also the Tsarina’s closest friend.  Anna was another deeply religious woman from an aristocratic family, who married briefly and unhappily and became one of Rasputin’s most devout disciples.  Her opinion only strengthened his appeal to the Tsarina who trusted Vyrubova implicitly.  This connection further ingratiated Rasputin with other members of the aristocracy, although the staretz was starting to engender feelings of either great enthusiasm or profound disgust, a consistent thread throughout the rest of Rasputin’s life. Pyotr Stolypin By 1911, Stolypin had survived numerous assassination attempts, including a bombing that killed 28 people and almost killed his daughter.  As a result, Stolypin moved into the secure confines of the Winter Palace.  Pragmatic and politically astute, after a single interview with Rasputin, Stolypin came to the conclusion that the man’s influence over the ruling family was dangerous and should be eliminated.  However, historical accounts indicate that he repeatedly brought up the matter with the Tsar, who typically responded by deflecting any confrontation.  To his daughter, Stolypin said in the summer of 1911: “Nothing can be done about it. Every time I had an opportunity to warn the Tsar, I did.  And here is what he told me recently:  “I agree with you Pyotr Arkadievich, but better ten Rasputins than one of the Empress’s  hysterical fits.  That’s what the reason was.  The empress is ill, seriously ill, she believes that Rasputin is the only person in the whole world who can help the heir and it is beyond human capacity to dissuade her about it.”  ]]>1969falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/grigori-rasputin-the-wrong-man-in-the-right-place-part-two--69653695Rasputin, later years Rasputin routinely spent his summers in Pokrovskoe and June, 1914 found him back in his home town.  On June 29, Rasputin emerged from his house in order to hand a telegram to his postman.  He was greeted by a mysterious female stranger, dressed in black with a white kerchief over her features, only her eyes visible.  She silently bowed in front of him and Rasputin paused to reach for his wallet, thinking that she was a beggar in search of money.  The woman then produced a large dagger and rapidly stabbed Rasputin in the naval.  He fled with the stranger chasing him down the street, stopping only when Rasputin was able to knock her to the ground with a stick that was lying on the ground.  Both he and his wife screamed for help and a crowd quickly gathered, securing the attacker and taking her to jail.  Rasputin was taken into his home, losing consciousness and initially thought near death. Prince Felix Yusupov and the Grand Duchess Irina Yusopov continued to meet with Rasputin and then offered the ultimate bait, a visit to his home to meet Yusopov’s wife, Irina, an invitation that the lecherous Rasputin, having never met the glamorous and beautiful Irina, couldn’t conceivably turn down.  He didn’t.  Yusopov notified his conspirators that they would carry out their plan on December 16.  His wife would actually be at another family palace in the Crimea. Grand Duke Dmitri Several theories about the actual shooter have also evolved, the conspirators not wanting Grand Duke Dmitri, a royal, to have to take the blame for the murder.  Perhaps Yusopov or even Purishkevich might have initially wounded Rasputin, prompting the physically strong and probably intoxicated man to attempt to flee the palace. Whatever the sequence, a bullet into the forehead of Rasputin is what ultimately killed him.  Who actually shot him and exactly how will never be ascertained. Basement Room Where Rasputin Was Attacked The most familiar story of what ensued came from an account written by Yusopov in 1927.  Rasputin and the Prince entered the house from a side door and made their way to the cellar, sounds of music and voices supplying the background of the cover story.  Yusopov and Rasputin exchanged small talk, and the holy man ultimately ate the cakes and drank some Madeira, the prince becoming alarmed when the poisoned items seemed to have no effect. Rasputin began to grow impatient and made vague suggestions about knowing what Felix was up to.  Panicked, Yusopov went upstairs and retrieved the Grand Duke’s revolver.  He went back downstairs and after a few moments of hesitation told Rasputin to say a prayer and shot him in the midsection. Moika Palace Courtyard, Rasputin Fled Through Small Lower Right Door When the men returned, the group congratulated each other until Yusopov claimed he became concerned and wanted to make sure that Rasputin was actually dead.  The body was as they had left it, but suddenly Yusopov noticed that one eye was twitching.  As he moved closer, suddenly both eyes, “the green eyes of a viper” opened wide and Rasputin, foaming at the mouth, leapt to his feet and tried to grab Yusopov around the neck.  This from an individual who was shot in the midsection and allegedly poisoned with enough cyanide to kill a half a dozen men.  Yusopov managed to get away from Rasputin’s grasp and ran up the stairs, screaming for help.  The rest of the group quickly pursued Rasputin out into the side courtyard, the wounded staretz crawling on all fours, bellowing that he would tell the Tsarina everything. Rigor Mortis Photo of Rasputin Purishkevitch then drew his own revolver and put two more bullets into the lurching Rasputin, slowing him down until two more rounds finished the job.  The body was dragged back inside, quickly wrapped in a rug, driven to a bridge on the edge of the city and tossed into the freezing water. Autopsy Photo Of Rasputin, Note Bullet Hole In Forehead It would take divers to find the body, which had actually frozen to the bottom of the ice.  It was removed, photographed, placed in a wooden coffin and driven away in an ambulance.  Rasputin’s autopsy would ascribe the cause of death to gunshot, one in the chest, one in the back and one administered at close range directly into the forehead.  There was no poison in his system.  His face was horribly bruised, most of the damage probably administered by hitting the side of the bridge on the way into the river. Dmitri and His Wife, 1930's Grand Duke Dmitri’s banishment to the Caucasus meant that he avoided the clutches of the vengeful Bolsheviks who murdered most of his relatives.  Via Teheran and the help of the British embassy he made his way to Europe.  Living first in England and then in Paris.  His major claim to fame was his subsequent relationship with prominent women, among them Coco Chanel.  Broke, he ultimately married a Cincinnati heiress, they divorced a decade later and Dmitri died of tuberculosis, aged 50, in 1942, in Davos, Switzerland. Maria Rasputin, Circus Performer Needless to say, Rasputin’s immediate family had a rough go of it after the revolution.  Their large house in Pokrovskoe was seized by the Bolsheviks, only Rasputin’s daughter Maria was safely able to emigrate to the west.  His wife, other daughter and son, all harassed by the Bolsheviks, were dead by 1933.  Maria was able to capitalize on her famous name and performed in cabarets and even as a circus performer.  She eventually settled in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, teaching foreign language and writing her memoirs, which only added more contrived melodrama to the Rasputin legend.  She died in 1977 and is buried in of all places, a cemetery on Venice Boulevard in metropolitan LA.  ]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=375Fri, 20 Jan 2017 21:14:24 +0000Philip D. GibbonsRasputin, the wrong man in the right place. Rasputin, later years Rasputin routinely spent his summers in Pokrovskoe and June, 1914 found him back in his home town.  On June 29, Rasputin emerged from his house in order to hand a telegram to his...Rasputin, later years Rasputin routinely spent his summers in Pokrovskoe and June, 1914 found him back in his home town.  On June 29, Rasputin emerged from his house in order to hand a telegram to his postman.  He was greeted by a mysterious female stranger, dressed in black with a white kerchief over her features, only her eyes visible.  She silently bowed in front of him and Rasputin paused to reach for his wallet, thinking that she was a beggar in search of money.  The woman then produced a large dagger and rapidly stabbed Rasputin in the naval.  He fled with the stranger chasing him down the street, stopping only when Rasputin was able to knock her to the ground with a stick that was lying on the ground.  Both he and his wife screamed for help and a crowd quickly gathered, securing the attacker and taking her to jail.  Rasputin was taken into his home, losing consciousness and initially thought near death. Prince Felix Yusupov and the Grand Duchess Irina Yusopov continued to meet with Rasputin and then offered the ultimate bait, a visit to his home to meet Yusopov’s wife, Irina, an invitation that the lecherous Rasputin, having never met the glamorous and beautiful Irina, couldn’t conceivably turn down.  He didn’t.  Yusopov notified his conspirators that they would carry out their plan on December 16.  His wife would actually be at another family palace in the Crimea. Grand Duke Dmitri Several theories about the actual shooter have also evolved, the conspirators not wanting Grand Duke Dmitri, a royal, to have to take the blame for the murder.  Perhaps Yusopov or even Purishkevich might have initially wounded Rasputin, prompting the physically strong and probably intoxicated man to attempt to flee the palace. Whatever the sequence, a bullet into the forehead of Rasputin is what ultimately killed him.  Who actually shot him and exactly how will never be ascertained. Basement Room Where Rasputin Was Attacked The most familiar story of what ensued came from an account written by Yusopov in 1927.  Rasputin and the Prince entered the house from a side door and made their way to the cellar, sounds of music and voices supplying the background of the cover story.  Yusopov and Rasputin exchanged small talk, and the holy man ultimately ate the cakes and drank some Madeira, the prince becoming alarmed when the poisoned items seemed to have no effect. Rasputin began to grow impatient and made vague suggestions about knowing what Felix was up to.  Panicked, Yusopov went upstairs and retrieved the Grand Duke’s revolver.  He went back downstairs and after a few moments of hesitation told Rasputin to say a prayer and shot him in the midsection. Moika Palace Courtyard, Rasputin Fled Through Small Lower Right Door When the men returned, the group congratulated each other until Yusopov claimed he became concerned and wanted to make sure that Rasputin was actually dead.  The body was as they had left it, but suddenly Yusopov noticed that one eye was twitching.  As he moved closer, suddenly both eyes, “the green eyes of a viper” opened wide and Rasputin, foaming at the mouth, leapt to his feet and tried to grab Yusopov around the neck.  This from an individual who was shot in the midsection and allegedly...]]>1465falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/georg-elser-s-1939-beer-hall-bomb-plot-to-kill-hitler-part-one--69653684Georg Elser, Circa 1939 The contrast between Adolf Hitler and Georg Elser could not have been more dramatic.  Hitler was a fanatically driven over achiever who had overcome his lower middle class background, lack of education and early personal failures to become one of the most charismatic and extroverted political figures of the twentieth century.  Elser was a simple woodworker, with an intermittent work history, an unmarried loner with little interest in politics or the world beyond the small towns of Southern Germany where he lived and grew up.  But, on November 8, 1939, the lives of these two individuals would intersect in a manner that today seems inconceivable. Burgerbraukellar, After the War. November 8 was an important date in the history of Nazi Germany and the life of Adolf Hitler.  It was on this date in 1923, that Hitler rushed into Munich’s Burgerbraukeller beer cellar with a group of followers and attempted to disrupt a speech of one of the political officials charged with ruling the German state of Bavaria.  Behaving theatrically, Hitler leapt onto a table, fired a pistol shot into the air and proclaimed “The national revolution has broken out! The hall is filled with six hundred men, nobody is allowed to leave!”  Hitler’s poorly conceived revolt would end the next day, after a march of Hitler and his followers was fired upon by soldiers and police in Central Munich. Hilter Addressing the "Alte Kampfers", Burgerbraukellar Less than ten years after his release from prison, Hitler would be named Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933.    To commemorate the success of the Nazi party and the sacrifice and struggle of what he called his Alte Kampfers, “Old Fighters” who had been with him from the beginning, Hitler began a tradition of addressing this group at the site of the start of the Nazi political struggle, the Burgerbraukeller, annually on November 8. Hitler, Burgerbraukeller, 1939, in Front Of Pillar Despite the outbreak of war on September 1, 1939 would be no different.  On November 8, Hitler flew with his entourage from Berlin, landed in Munich and in the early evening proceeded to the raucous hall jammed with Hitler’s most fanatical adherents.  Shortly after eight PM he proceeded to the dais in the reception hall, a giant Swastika flag draped on the massive pillar behind him framing Hitler dramatically.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=353Mon, 31 Oct 2016 01:08:59 +0000Philip D. GibbonsGeorg Elser's failure is one of the most remarkable stories in European history. Georg Elser, Circa 1939 The contrast between Adolf Hitler and Georg Elser could not have been more dramatic.  Hitler was a fanatically driven over achiever who had...Georg Elser, Circa 1939 The contrast between Adolf Hitler and Georg Elser could not have been more dramatic.  Hitler was a fanatically driven over achiever who had overcome his lower middle class background, lack of education and early personal failures to become one of the most charismatic and extroverted political figures of the twentieth century.  Elser was a simple woodworker, with an intermittent work history, an unmarried loner with little interest in politics or the world beyond the small towns of Southern Germany where he lived and grew up.  But, on November 8, 1939, the lives of these two individuals would intersect in a manner that today seems inconceivable. Burgerbraukellar, After the War. November 8 was an important date in the history of Nazi Germany and the life of Adolf Hitler.  It was on this date in 1923, that Hitler rushed into Munich’s Burgerbraukeller beer cellar with a group of followers and attempted to disrupt a speech of one of the political officials charged with ruling the German state of Bavaria.  Behaving theatrically, Hitler leapt onto a table, fired a pistol shot into the air and proclaimed “The national revolution has broken out! The hall is filled with six hundred men, nobody is allowed to leave!”  Hitler’s poorly conceived revolt would end the next day, after a march of Hitler and his followers was fired upon by soldiers and police in Central Munich. Hilter Addressing the "Alte Kampfers", Burgerbraukellar Less than ten years after his release from prison, Hitler would be named Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933.    To commemorate the success of the Nazi party and the sacrifice and struggle of what he called his Alte Kampfers, “Old Fighters” who had been with him from the beginning, Hitler began a tradition of addressing this group at the site of the start of the Nazi political struggle, the Burgerbraukeller, annually on November 8. Hitler, Burgerbraukeller, 1939, in Front Of Pillar Despite the outbreak of war on September 1, 1939 would be no different.  On November 8, Hitler flew with his entourage from Berlin, landed in Munich and in the early evening proceeded to the raucous hall jammed with Hitler’s most fanatical adherents.  Shortly after eight PM he proceeded to the dais in the reception hall, a giant Swastika flag draped on the massive pillar behind him framing Hitler dramatically.]]>1613falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/george-elser-s-1939-beer-hall-bomb-plot-to-kill-hitler-part-2--69653674Burgerbraukeller, After Explosion At precisely 9:20, the first of George Elser’s clocks activated perfectly the bomb detonated with a tremendous blast that pulverized the speaker’s platform, shattered the pillar behind it and brought the roof of the building down upon its inhabitants.  Dust and debris filled the air, the room now shrouded in darkness with beams falling and screams for help.  Seven people were killed immediately, one would die later at the hospital. Gestapo Headquarters, Berlin, Prinz Albrecht Strasse Surprisingly, it took a while for anyone to connect Georg Elser with the bombing, but he was eventually brought to Munich.  Himmler was placed in charge of the investigation and he quickly delegated direct authority to his immediate subordinates.  By November 12, several employees of the Burgerbraukellar, including the manager who had confronted him in the storage closet incident, positively identified him as a habitual customer.  This was enough to bring on what could be termed “enhanced interrogations” essentially beatings that left him moaning and bloody according to one eyewitness.  Stuttgart Gestapo officer would descend on Konigsbrunn and quickly talk to the daughter of one of Elser’s benefactors who let him live in their home in exchange for carpentry.  She told of Georg showing her pictures of the Burgerbraukellar and his funny wooden suitcase with the false bottoms and his work at the quarry with dynamite.  This must have arched a few Gestapo eyebrows in Munich and intensified the physical thrashing typical when a suspect needs to make a confession.  Elser was eventually taken to Gestapo headquarters in Berlin. Dachau, Crematorium Building On April 9, an SS officer came to Elser’s cell and ordered him to prepare for an interrogation.  Elser was confused, he had not been formally interrogated for many years, now so close to the end of the war, what questions could he possibly answer?  He walked out of his cell, escorted by another SS man who lead Elser in a general direction that might hopefully end at the camp entrance.  But suddenly the guard directed Elser along the path that lead to the crematorium in the rear of the camp.  Elser knew then that the end had come. Georg Elser Plaque, Site of the Burgerbraukeller, Munich The Burgerbraukeller was finally demolished in 1979, ten years later a plaque would be installed at the site of the pillar where Elser’s bomb was detonated, a small square was named after Elser near the home in Munich where he stayed briefly before the attack. Elser Memorial, Wilhelmstrasse, Berlin In 2011, official recognition of Elser as a national hero was evidenced by the dedication of a fifty-five foot steel profile sculpture installed on the Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin.  Elser never set foot in the German capital, but today any pedestrian who passes by his memorial will have to pause and reflect on the remarkable determination and sacrifice of a simple man who only wanted to save his country.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=360Mon, 31 Oct 2016 01:07:54 +0000Philip D. GibbonsGeorg Elser's failure is one of the most remarkable stories in European history. Burgerbraukeller, After Explosion At precisely 9:20, the first of George Elser’s clocks activated perfectly the bomb detonated with a tremendous blast that pulverized the...Burgerbraukeller, After Explosion At precisely 9:20, the first of George Elser’s clocks activated perfectly the bomb detonated with a tremendous blast that pulverized the speaker’s platform, shattered the pillar behind it and brought the roof of the building down upon its inhabitants.  Dust and debris filled the air, the room now shrouded in darkness with beams falling and screams for help.  Seven people were killed immediately, one would die later at the hospital. Gestapo Headquarters, Berlin, Prinz Albrecht Strasse Surprisingly, it took a while for anyone to connect Georg Elser with the bombing, but he was eventually brought to Munich.  Himmler was placed in charge of the investigation and he quickly delegated direct authority to his immediate subordinates.  By November 12, several employees of the Burgerbraukellar, including the manager who had confronted him in the storage closet incident, positively identified him as a habitual customer.  This was enough to bring on what could be termed “enhanced interrogations” essentially beatings that left him moaning and bloody according to one eyewitness.  Stuttgart Gestapo officer would descend on Konigsbrunn and quickly talk to the daughter of one of Elser’s benefactors who let him live in their home in exchange for carpentry.  She told of Georg showing her pictures of the Burgerbraukellar and his funny wooden suitcase with the false bottoms and his work at the quarry with dynamite.  This must have arched a few Gestapo eyebrows in Munich and intensified the physical thrashing typical when a suspect needs to make a confession.  Elser was eventually taken to Gestapo headquarters in Berlin. Dachau, Crematorium Building On April 9, an SS officer came to Elser’s cell and ordered him to prepare for an interrogation.  Elser was confused, he had not been formally interrogated for many years, now so close to the end of the war, what questions could he possibly answer?  He walked out of his cell, escorted by another SS man who lead Elser in a general direction that might hopefully end at the camp entrance.  But suddenly the guard directed Elser along the path that lead to the crematorium in the rear of the camp.  Elser knew then that the end had come. Georg Elser Plaque, Site of the Burgerbraukeller, Munich The Burgerbraukeller was finally demolished in 1979, ten years later a plaque would be installed at the site of the pillar where Elser’s bomb was detonated, a small square was named after Elser near the home in Munich where he stayed briefly before the attack. Elser Memorial, Wilhelmstrasse, Berlin In 2011, official recognition of Elser as a national hero was evidenced by the dedication of a fifty-five foot steel profile sculpture installed on the Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin.  Elser never set foot in the German capital, but today any pedestrian who passes by his memorial will have to pause and reflect on the remarkable determination and sacrifice of a simple man who only wanted to save his country.]]>1639falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/michelangelo-giant-of-the-renaissance-part-one--69653696Michelangelo Michelangelo Buonarroti-Simoni was born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy in Tuscany , about sixty miles east of Florence.  A month later his father moved the family back to the Tuscan capital.  Ludovico Buonarroti’s family were bankers and money lenders and despite the failure of the family bank, Michelangelo’s father managed assets and property that allowed an upper middle class existence.  He occasionally served as a bureaucrat and at the time of Michelangelo’s birth he was assigned to Caprese as an administrator within the local government. The Pieta in November of 1497, Michelangelo set out for Carrara and the marble quarries there that supplied the legendary stone for the region’s most important art works.  In his possession, he had a letter of introduction from the French cardinal to help him to procure the most magnificent marble available.  Michelangelo’s personal visit to Carrara was highly unusual, most customers merely ordered a certain amount of stone and had it shipped to Rome or Florence.  It would take six months before Michelangelo selected an appropriate block of material and it was not until August of 1498 that Michelangelo began work on his next project: The Pieta, a portrayal of Mary mourning the death of her crucified son, Jesus Christ. The David Despite the success of the Pieta, Michelangelo decided to return to Florence in the Spring of 1501.  The specifics are not known but certainly his father would have encouraged such a move and the political climate would have quieted greatly after the removal and execution of Savonarola and the installation of a more stable government. Perhaps Michelangelo might have heard rumors that a major commission might soon be awarded concerning an ongoing project of the Overseers of the Office of Works of Florence Cathedral, The Operai.  This project was a series of Old Testament statues that were to adorn the exterior of the cathedral.  A figure of Joshua was sculpted by Donatello in 1410, and another figure of Hercules was added in 1463.  The Overseers then attempted to commission a sculpture of David, but the project ran into continual obstacles including the death of Donatello and by 1500, the massive block of marble intended to be the statue lay unfinished outside of the cathedral workshop.  Concerned that the valuable piece of stone would be damaged by continual exposure, the Operai decided to commission Michelangelo to finish the project.  He began work on September 13, 1501.  As the work progressed, one obvious problem presented itself.  Initially meant for the roof of the cathedral, the statue even when finished would weigh over six tons.  It couldn’t possibly be successfully lifted off of the ground.  The statue, with obvious symbolic overtones concerning the recent expulsion of the Medici and the establishment of a democracy, could be seen as a powerful statement of the determination of the small city-state to repel any incursion by its powerful neighbors.  Upon completion in May of 1504, the statue was placed in front of the then Palazzo della Signoria (today’s Palazzo Vecchio).  With its piercing glare turned in the direction of Rome as well as the Medici who were already scheming to retake control of the city, the David initially served a political purpose. The Doni Tondo Michelangelo is said to have delivered the finished painting with a note requesting the payment of seventy ducats, Doni, a wealthy but financially astute merchant, sent back forty.  A typical artwork of this type would usually cost about ten ducats and Doni reasoned that forty was already a very fair price.  Michelangelo responded by demanding either one hundred ducats or the return of the painting.  Since Doni was happy with the work and it was meant to commemorate his marriage, he gave Michelangelo his original asking price of seventy ducats.  This time, Michelangelo demanded double the original price, one hundred and forty ducats.  Supposedly, Doni grudgingly paid up.  Such a tale is indicative of the self-image that the artist had developed as no mere tradesman. The Bruges Madonna Although he was always preoccupied with money and would have personal issues that impacted his output, Michelangelo would never have to struggle for work or commissions again.  In fact his reputation spread to the point where rulers of Venice, France and even Turkey attempted to retain his services.  All of these attempts failed.  However, during this time period a group of Flemish merchants were able to get Michelangelo’s attention and obtain the remarkable Bruges Madonna.  They did it by secretly outbidding Pope Julius II.  Unlike the Pieta, this statue depicts a younger Virgin and infant Jesus.  Approximately six feet tall, this ornate statue features much of the same intricate detail of the Pieta.  It also achieved the same artistic profile as some of Michelangelo’s most coveted and prestigious works.  The only Michelangelo sculpture to leave Italy during the artist’s lifetime, it was first seized by the French when Bruges was successfully invaded in 1794 and Napoleon decided that he would enjoy its company.  It was returned in 1815.  The Nazis also stole it in 1944, luckily it was not damaged before being retrieved by the Monuments Men from Hitler’s stash cave at Altaussee, Austria. Sistine Chapel Detail, The Creation of Adam 1508 would bring Michelangelo the most challenging assignment of his life.  He was paid 500 ducats by Julius to paint the ceiling of the chapel of Pope Sixtus, the Sistine Chapel.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=330Sun, 18 Sep 2016 05:06:25 +0000Philip D. GibbonsMichelangelo, the Eternal Genius Michelangelo Michelangelo Buonarroti-Simoni was born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy in Tuscany , about sixty miles east of Florence.  A month later his father moved the family back to the Tuscan capital.  Ludovico...Michelangelo Michelangelo Buonarroti-Simoni was born on March 6, 1475 in Caprese, Italy in Tuscany , about sixty miles east of Florence.  A month later his father moved the family back to the Tuscan capital.  Ludovico Buonarroti’s family were bankers and money lenders and despite the failure of the family bank, Michelangelo’s father managed assets and property that allowed an upper middle class existence.  He occasionally served as a bureaucrat and at the time of Michelangelo’s birth he was assigned to Caprese as an administrator within the local government. The Pieta in November of 1497, Michelangelo set out for Carrara and the marble quarries there that supplied the legendary stone for the region’s most important art works.  In his possession, he had a letter of introduction from the French cardinal to help him to procure the most magnificent marble available.  Michelangelo’s personal visit to Carrara was highly unusual, most customers merely ordered a certain amount of stone and had it shipped to Rome or Florence.  It would take six months before Michelangelo selected an appropriate block of material and it was not until August of 1498 that Michelangelo began work on his next project: The Pieta, a portrayal of Mary mourning the death of her crucified son, Jesus Christ. The David Despite the success of the Pieta, Michelangelo decided to return to Florence in the Spring of 1501.  The specifics are not known but certainly his father would have encouraged such a move and the political climate would have quieted greatly after the removal and execution of Savonarola and the installation of a more stable government. Perhaps Michelangelo might have heard rumors that a major commission might soon be awarded concerning an ongoing project of the Overseers of the Office of Works of Florence Cathedral, The Operai.  This project was a series of Old Testament statues that were to adorn the exterior of the cathedral.  A figure of Joshua was sculpted by Donatello in 1410, and another figure of Hercules was added in 1463.  The Overseers then attempted to commission a sculpture of David, but the project ran into continual obstacles including the death of Donatello and by 1500, the massive block of marble intended to be the statue lay unfinished outside of the cathedral workshop.  Concerned that the valuable piece of stone would be damaged by continual exposure, the Operai decided to commission Michelangelo to finish the project.  He began work on September 13, 1501.  As the work progressed, one obvious problem presented itself.  Initially meant for the roof of the cathedral, the statue even when finished would weigh over six tons.  It couldn’t possibly be successfully lifted off of the ground.  The statue, with obvious symbolic overtones concerning the recent expulsion of the Medici and the establishment of a democracy, could be seen as a powerful statement of the determination of the small city-state to repel any incursion by its powerful neighbors.  Upon completion in May of 1504, the statue was placed in front of the then Palazzo della Signoria (today’s Palazzo Vecchio).  With its piercing glare turned in the direction of Rome as well as the Medici who were already scheming to retake control of the city, the David initially served a political purpose. The Doni Tondo Michelangelo is said to have delivered the finished painting with a note...]]>1253falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/michelangelo-giant-of-the-renaissance-part-two--69653626Pope Julius II, by Raphael The relationship between Julius II and Michelangelo has been dramatized as a nasty battle of wills between two egocentric men.  In actuality, Michelangelo’s issue with the Pope stemmed from the reality that Julius’ main focus was to expand the territory of the Papal States and the ensuing warfare that would be required.  Michelangelo’s artistic projects would always be secondary to this fundamental. Moses, St. Peter in Vincoli, Rome As soon as the Last Judgment was completed the Della Rovere clan began agitating for a completion of Julius II’s tomb.  Luckily, Pope Paul wished to have Michelangelo focus on his own pet projects, namely a Vatican chapel dedicated in his honor.  The pontiff helped negotiate a new agreement that limited Julius’ tomb to three main sculptures, including the Moses. Julius II Tomb, St. Peter in Vincoli, Rome This was accepted and the more modest tomb was brought to a anti-climatic conclusion in 1545, with the completion of two statues, Leah and Rachel, placed to the left and right of Moses in a two story facade installed in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, the parish of Julius II.  Although it has been described as the most impressive burial vault in Rome, Michelangelo summed up his perspective with one sentence “I lost the whole of my youth, chained to this tomb.” Tomb of Lorenzo Il Magnifico, Medici Chapel, Florence With the ascendance of Giovanni as Leo X, Michelangelo’s brother Buonarotto achieved a prominent position within the Florentine government.  Members of the Medici clan clamored for Michelangelo to return to his hometown and begin work on the unfinished facade of their parish church.  A commission was formally offered, enormous amounts of marble were selected and ordered and a wooden model of the new facade was constructed.  Just as work was to begin, Lorenzo de Medici, grandson of Il Magnifico and the most enthusiastic supporter of the project, died suddenly.  Pope Leo X took another look at the probable expenses and cancelled the project, suggesting that a modest tomb be substituted.  The tomb would evolve into the Medici Chapels, burial place of four members of the ruling family, including Lorenzo, Il Magnifico.  Michelangelo would have to settle on spending the next two years on this project, also sweating out the death of Leo X and a new pope, Adrian VI, a reformer who bandied about the idea of destroying the Sistine chapel murals. Minos, The Last Judgment, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City When Michelangelo refused new commissions from the Pope claiming his contract with Julius heirs’ forbade it until the troublesome tomb was complete, Paul III interceded and helped renegotiate the agreement.  This allowed Michelangelo to work on another project, a fresco on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel.  Conceptually discussed with Clement VII as a depiction of the Resurrection, Michelangelo reconsidered and focused his creation on the the Last Judgment.  Twenty-five years after finishing his previous work on the chapel, Michelangelo presented a different kind of painting.  This work contained a wide range of emotion, depictions ranging from the sublime to the grotesque, and a focus on nudity that accentuated sensuality.  This groundbreaking depiction of such a religious theme was controversial and at least one church official, Biagio da Cesena commented, “it was mostly disgraceful that in so sacred a place there should have depicted all of those nude figures, exposing themselves so shamefully.”  He added that the work was more appropriate for a public bath or a tavern.  Da Cesena’s reward for his art criticism was his depiction in the lower right corner of the painting, as Minos, judge of the underworld.  To underline his contempt, Michelangelo added donkey ears, and a serpent biting Minos’ testicles. Detail, Sistine Chapel, St. Bartholomew and Likeness of Michelangelo, Vatican City Michelangelo himself was not above ridicule in this depiction of symbolic judgment.  In a central part of the fresco, St. Bartholomew is depicted holding a knife and the skin that represents his death by being skinned alive.  This layer of skin has retained a human form and the head adorning this mass is clearly the tortured, gnarled face of Michelangelo.  It would not be until the 1920’s that this detail was noticed. Michelangelo's Tomb, Santa Croce, Florence Leonardo knew that the current Pope Pius IV would insist that Michelangelo be enshrined at the finished St. Peter’s Basilica and he was determined to return him to Florence, which was his uncle’s wish.  Leonardo hired a cart to surreptitiously and unceremoniously transport the wrapped body back to Tuscany, a trip that took eleven days.  Michelangelo was interred with great fanfare in the Basilica of Santa Croce, in Florence, in an elaborate vault sponsored by both Cosimo de Medici and Giorgio Vasari.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=338Sun, 18 Sep 2016 05:05:53 +0000Philip D. GibbonsMichelangelo, the Eternal Genius Pope Julius II, by Raphael The relationship between Julius II and Michelangelo has been dramatized as a nasty battle of wills between two egocentric men.  In actuality, Michelangelo’s issue with the Pope stemmed from...Pope Julius II, by Raphael The relationship between Julius II and Michelangelo has been dramatized as a nasty battle of wills between two egocentric men.  In actuality, Michelangelo’s issue with the Pope stemmed from the reality that Julius’ main focus was to expand the territory of the Papal States and the ensuing warfare that would be required.  Michelangelo’s artistic projects would always be secondary to this fundamental. Moses, St. Peter in Vincoli, Rome As soon as the Last Judgment was completed the Della Rovere clan began agitating for a completion of Julius II’s tomb.  Luckily, Pope Paul wished to have Michelangelo focus on his own pet projects, namely a Vatican chapel dedicated in his honor.  The pontiff helped negotiate a new agreement that limited Julius’ tomb to three main sculptures, including the Moses. Julius II Tomb, St. Peter in Vincoli, Rome This was accepted and the more modest tomb was brought to a anti-climatic conclusion in 1545, with the completion of two statues, Leah and Rachel, placed to the left and right of Moses in a two story facade installed in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, the parish of Julius II.  Although it has been described as the most impressive burial vault in Rome, Michelangelo summed up his perspective with one sentence “I lost the whole of my youth, chained to this tomb.” Tomb of Lorenzo Il Magnifico, Medici Chapel, Florence With the ascendance of Giovanni as Leo X, Michelangelo’s brother Buonarotto achieved a prominent position within the Florentine government.  Members of the Medici clan clamored for Michelangelo to return to his hometown and begin work on the unfinished facade of their parish church.  A commission was formally offered, enormous amounts of marble were selected and ordered and a wooden model of the new facade was constructed.  Just as work was to begin, Lorenzo de Medici, grandson of Il Magnifico and the most enthusiastic supporter of the project, died suddenly.  Pope Leo X took another look at the probable expenses and cancelled the project, suggesting that a modest tomb be substituted.  The tomb would evolve into the Medici Chapels, burial place of four members of the ruling family, including Lorenzo, Il Magnifico.  Michelangelo would have to settle on spending the next two years on this project, also sweating out the death of Leo X and a new pope, Adrian VI, a reformer who bandied about the idea of destroying the Sistine chapel murals. Minos, The Last Judgment, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City When Michelangelo refused new commissions from the Pope claiming his contract with Julius heirs’ forbade it until the troublesome tomb was complete, Paul III interceded and helped renegotiate the agreement.  This allowed Michelangelo to work on another project, a fresco on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel.  Conceptually discussed with Clement VII as a depiction of the Resurrection, Michelangelo reconsidered and focused his creation on the the Last Judgment.  Twenty-five years after finishing his previous work on the chapel, Michelangelo presented a different kind of painting.  This work contained a wide range of emotion, depictions ranging from the sublime to the grotesque, and a focus on nudity that accentuated...]]>1637falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/harriet-tubman-and-the-underground-railway--69653618Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross in the eastern shore region of Maryland in 1822.  Her exact date of birth remains unknown.  Both of her parents were slaves, Harriet (Rit) Green and Ben Ross. John Brown The summer of 1859 also brought a resumption of John Brown’s plan for rebellion.  He was already gathering assets in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in anticipation of his planned attack on the Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.  His plan was to seize the arsenal and armory, incite local slaves to join his rebellion and spread a slave revolt as effectively as possible.  Brown was fanatically opposed to slavery with an opposition rooted in a deep religious fervor.  He considered himself a divine instrument intent on imposing punishment on those conducting the sinful practice of slavery.  Based on his interaction with Harriet Tubman, Brown fully expected her to join his effort.  He repeatedly attempted to contact her to no avail but he did meet with Frederick Douglass in Chambersburg.  When Douglass realized that Brown was intent on attacking a federal arsenal he told him that “he was going into a perfect steel trap, once in, he would not get out alive.” St. Gaudens Panel Commemorating 54th Volunteer Massachusetts Regiment, Monument is situated on the Northeast Corner of the Boston Common. Harriet Tubman also aided in the celebrated 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment in its participation in the attack on Fort Wagner in Charleston Harbor on July 19, 1863.  The 54th was one of the first African-American regiments assembled during the Civil War.  Commanded by a white abolitionist, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th was in the vanguard of the assault on Fort Wagner, a heavily fortified beachhead that was part of the defensive infrastructure protecting the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.  After a lengthy bombardment, the Regiment began a frontal assault on the fort.  Despite heavy losses, the 54th was able to briefly seize part of the south wall but heavy hand-to-hand combat and artillery fire pushed the unit back.  Other Union regiments also attempted to breach the fort around its perimeter but were repulsed with terrible losses.  An estimated 1,500 hundred Union troops were killed, wounded or captured.  The 54th lost over two hundred and fifty men.  Robert Gould Shaw was killed in the initial storming of the fort and buried in a common grave with his fellow black soldiers.  While the grave was eventually washed away by storms and the remains of these soldiers disappeared, the heroic story of Gould Shaw and his men has been immortalized in the film “Glory.” William Seward, US Senator and Secretary of State Five days after the armistice at Appomattox, President Lincoln was assassinated and Harriet’s benefactor Secretary of State William Seward was incapacitated by an assailant involved in the same plot.  Although Seward would survive and even attempt to help Tubman in her attempts to receive back pay, she eventually decided to head back to her home in Auburn, NY.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=314Thu, 21 Jul 2016 22:09:50 +0000Philip D. GibbonsHarriet Tubman, righteous heroine Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross in the eastern shore region of Maryland in 1822.  Her exact date of birth remains unknown.  Both of her parents were slaves, Harriet (Rit) Green and Ben Ross. John...Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross in the eastern shore region of Maryland in 1822.  Her exact date of birth remains unknown.  Both of her parents were slaves, Harriet (Rit) Green and Ben Ross. John Brown The summer of 1859 also brought a resumption of John Brown’s plan for rebellion.  He was already gathering assets in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in anticipation of his planned attack on the Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.  His plan was to seize the arsenal and armory, incite local slaves to join his rebellion and spread a slave revolt as effectively as possible.  Brown was fanatically opposed to slavery with an opposition rooted in a deep religious fervor.  He considered himself a divine instrument intent on imposing punishment on those conducting the sinful practice of slavery.  Based on his interaction with Harriet Tubman, Brown fully expected her to join his effort.  He repeatedly attempted to contact her to no avail but he did meet with Frederick Douglass in Chambersburg.  When Douglass realized that Brown was intent on attacking a federal arsenal he told him that “he was going into a perfect steel trap, once in, he would not get out alive.” St. Gaudens Panel Commemorating 54th Volunteer Massachusetts Regiment, Monument is situated on the Northeast Corner of the Boston Common. Harriet Tubman also aided in the celebrated 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment in its participation in the attack on Fort Wagner in Charleston Harbor on July 19, 1863.  The 54th was one of the first African-American regiments assembled during the Civil War.  Commanded by a white abolitionist, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th was in the vanguard of the assault on Fort Wagner, a heavily fortified beachhead that was part of the defensive infrastructure protecting the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.  After a lengthy bombardment, the Regiment began a frontal assault on the fort.  Despite heavy losses, the 54th was able to briefly seize part of the south wall but heavy hand-to-hand combat and artillery fire pushed the unit back.  Other Union regiments also attempted to breach the fort around its perimeter but were repulsed with terrible losses.  An estimated 1,500 hundred Union troops were killed, wounded or captured.  The 54th lost over two hundred and fifty men.  Robert Gould Shaw was killed in the initial storming of the fort and buried in a common grave with his fellow black soldiers.  While the grave was eventually washed away by storms and the remains of these soldiers disappeared, the heroic story of Gould Shaw and his men has been immortalized in the film “Glory.” William Seward, US Senator and Secretary of State Five days after the armistice at Appomattox, President Lincoln was assassinated and Harriet’s benefactor Secretary of State William Seward was incapacitated by an assailant involved in the same plot.  Although Seward would survive and even attempt to help Tubman in her attempts to receive back pay, she eventually decided to head back to her home in Auburn, NY.]]>2009falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/alexander-hamilton-his-life-and-legacy--69653627Alexander Hamilton, First Secretary of the US Treasury The circumstances surrounding the birth of Alexander Hamilton are complicated and even when he was born is a matter of dispute.  His mother, Rachel Faucette, was of British and French descent.  His father, James Hamilton was a Scot.  They met on the island of St. Kitts in the British West Indies where James Hamilton was unsuccessfully attempting to build a career trading sugar and other goods. Crossing the Delaware, December 25, 1776 Although it only involved a total of less than four thousand men and less than twenty-five artillery pieces, the Battle of Trenton is revered as one of the most important moments in US military history.  On Christmas night, 1776, George Washington ordered approximately 2,000 troops to begin crossing the Delaware River, near Trenton, New Jersey.  Hamilton and his company, now only thirty men in total were part of this attack.  In spite of dreadful weather, the entire American force made it across the Delaware River and as dawn approached, marched a dozen miles to the outskirts of the town.  At eight in the morning, a coordinated attack on the Hessian barracks began. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton In the summer of 1791, according to Hamilton, a woman named Maria Reynolds knocked on the door of his Philadelphia home and met with him privately (despite the presence in the house of Hamilton’s wife).  She recounted a terrible tale of mistreatment at the hands of her husband, claimed she was abandoned and utterly destitute and pleaded with Hamilton for financial help for her and her young daughter.  That very evening Hamilton walked over to Maria’s residence and handed cash to the twenty-three year old and impulsively began a physical relationship that would last for two years. Aaron Burr The United States finally began to experience peace and prosperity in the first term of Thomas Jefferson and with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Hamilton’s former adversary enjoyed his greatest popularity.  Hamilton was reduced to practicing law but political developments in 1804 again involved him in New York State politics.  It was clear that Jefferson fully intended to dump Aaron Burr as vice-President in the upcoming presidential election.  In the machinations surrounding the Presidential election of 1800, Burr had refused to publically state that he was Jefferson’s Vice-Presidential running mate and even maneuvered behind the scenes to try and win in the House of Representatives.  As a result Jefferson completely isolated him from any role in the administration and replaced him on the 1804 ticket with New York State governor George Clinton.  Burr then decided to run for Governor of New York.  He would be soundly defeated in a bitter campaign marked by personal attacks of all kinds.  For this, he and his followers blamed Alexander Hamilton.  Burr personally began to obsess about the man who had blocked both his Presidential and gubernatorial aspirations.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=297Sat, 28 May 2016 03:48:47 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAlexander Hamilton, the Zelig of American military and political history. Alexander Hamilton, First Secretary of the US Treasury The circumstances surrounding the birth of Alexander Hamilton are complicated and even when he was born is a matter of...Alexander Hamilton, First Secretary of the US Treasury The circumstances surrounding the birth of Alexander Hamilton are complicated and even when he was born is a matter of dispute.  His mother, Rachel Faucette, was of British and French descent.  His father, James Hamilton was a Scot.  They met on the island of St. Kitts in the British West Indies where James Hamilton was unsuccessfully attempting to build a career trading sugar and other goods. Crossing the Delaware, December 25, 1776 Although it only involved a total of less than four thousand men and less than twenty-five artillery pieces, the Battle of Trenton is revered as one of the most important moments in US military history.  On Christmas night, 1776, George Washington ordered approximately 2,000 troops to begin crossing the Delaware River, near Trenton, New Jersey.  Hamilton and his company, now only thirty men in total were part of this attack.  In spite of dreadful weather, the entire American force made it across the Delaware River and as dawn approached, marched a dozen miles to the outskirts of the town.  At eight in the morning, a coordinated attack on the Hessian barracks began. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton In the summer of 1791, according to Hamilton, a woman named Maria Reynolds knocked on the door of his Philadelphia home and met with him privately (despite the presence in the house of Hamilton’s wife).  She recounted a terrible tale of mistreatment at the hands of her husband, claimed she was abandoned and utterly destitute and pleaded with Hamilton for financial help for her and her young daughter.  That very evening Hamilton walked over to Maria’s residence and handed cash to the twenty-three year old and impulsively began a physical relationship that would last for two years. Aaron Burr The United States finally began to experience peace and prosperity in the first term of Thomas Jefferson and with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Hamilton’s former adversary enjoyed his greatest popularity.  Hamilton was reduced to practicing law but political developments in 1804 again involved him in New York State politics.  It was clear that Jefferson fully intended to dump Aaron Burr as vice-President in the upcoming presidential election.  In the machinations surrounding the Presidential election of 1800, Burr had refused to publically state that he was Jefferson’s Vice-Presidential running mate and even maneuvered behind the scenes to try and win in the House of Representatives.  As a result Jefferson completely isolated him from any role in the administration and replaced him on the 1804 ticket with New York State governor George Clinton.  Burr then decided to run for Governor of New York.  He would be soundly defeated in a bitter campaign marked by personal attacks of all kinds.  For this, he and his followers blamed Alexander Hamilton.  Burr personally began to obsess about the man who had blocked both his Presidential and gubernatorial aspirations.]]>3618falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/francis-scott-key-and-the-star-spangled-banner--69653694Francis Scott Key Key was a prominent lawyer from Frederick, Maryland who, through a sequence of incidents that occurred during the War of 1812, observed one of the most critical episodes in American history. Map of the Battle of Baltimore In fact, Ross and Cockburn had decided on a coordinated air and sea attack.  Ross would land his troops at North Point, Maryland at the tip of the Patapsco Neck and make the short fifteen-mile march to the city.  After the sixty-mile march on Washington, Ross reasoned that he would handle this much shorter distance with relative ease.  Because the Patapsco was relatively shallow, the larger warships would not be able to enter the inner harbor area.  Instead Cockburn would take the smaller frigates and bombardment vessels upriver to attack Fort McHenry and after extinguishing the guns of the fort, to bombard the city itself, hopefully leading to a major conflagration. Admiral George Cockburn depicted with the burning Washington, DC The British army regrouped briefly but within hours began marching briskly towards Washington.  1,200 men halted two miles from the Capitol, Ross continued into the city itself with 200 elite infantrymen.  There was zero resistance, any remaining civilians remained inside their homes.  The only remaining American activity in the city was the deliberate destruction of the Washington Navy Yard, flames visible on the already dark horizon.  Several ships, naval equipment, ordinance and other shipbuilding materials were destroyed to keep them out of the hands of the British.  Ross and Cockburn had already decided to burn any public buildings in the city and as the Navy Yard glowed a few miles away, Ross’ units took position around the US Capitol building.  The Capitol building itself looked nothing like today’s domed edifice, instead it was two square sandstone blocks connected by a wooden passageway.  Under construction since 1793, it was a costly and time- consuming process.  The British entered the building, ascertained that no one was present and began smearing gunpowder paste on the walls of the South Wing.  Once this was lit, paper and wooden furniture was added and within minutes an intense heat drove the arsonists to the North Wing where a magnificent library was quickly put to the torch.  The entire building was soon engulfed in flames. General Robert Ross, the only man ever to capture America's capital Next, Ross, Coburn and a column of men set out to what was known as the “President’s Mansion.”  They entered the now deserted home and devoured the food and wine that was supposed to have been served to the President and his guests as that afternoon’s supper.  After selecting a few souvenirs but nothing of any value as to avoid being charged with “looting”, soldiers quickly began to pile up furniture and soak mattresses with lamp oil.  After some flame was acquired from a nearby tavern, an officer walked through the rooms of the mansion, igniting the makeshift kindling in each room.  Madison’s former home was quickly ablaze, Ross, Cockburn and troops admiring their work from a short distance. General George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry Fort McHenry, under the command of Major George Armistead, responded with over fifty cannons from the fort itself, as well as shore batteries on both sides of the river.  Some of this fire was accurate enough to force Cochrane to move his ships out of range, approximately two miles away.  Here he was content to blast away with his mortars, the Americans unable to reach the British ships.  Armistead ordered his guns to cease fire, and the gun crews to take cover.  British shells and rockets were landing on an average of over one per minute, by noon hundreds of projectiles had landed on or near the fort.  The incendiary rockets were essentially harmless but an occasional mortar shell made its way into the fort and detonated with a tremendous explosion.  One pierced the roof of the fort’s powder magazine but failed to detonate, had it exploded it would have blown up 300 hundred barrels of gunpowder, the fort and most of its inhabitants. Star Spangled Banner Sheet Music from the 1800's Although “The Star-Spangled Banner” remained popular during Key’s lifetime, it did not achieve official status for many years.  Other songs, including “Hail, Columbia”, “America, the Beautiful” and “My Country, Tis of thee.” would be sung at public events and ceremonies, all achieving unofficial status.  It would not be until a congressional resolution, signed by President Herbert Hoover in 1931 that the Star Spangled Banner would officially be named the national anthem. US commemorative stamp of Francis Scott Key Key would return to his prestigious law practice in Washington.  Thirty-five years old when he wrote “The Star Spangled Banner” he had already argued cases in front of the Supreme Court.  He would represent many clients in some of the era’s most prominent legal cases.  Key had close political ties to Andrew Jackson and would eventually be named the US Attorney for Washington, DC, a post he held until 1841.  He died on January 11, 1843, aged 63.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=290Sat, 09 Apr 2016 06:18:15 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFrancis Scott Key and the National Anthem Francis Scott Key Key was a prominent lawyer from Frederick, Maryland who, through a sequence of incidents that occurred during the War of 1812, observed one of the most critical episodes in American history....Francis Scott Key Key was a prominent lawyer from Frederick, Maryland who, through a sequence of incidents that occurred during the War of 1812, observed one of the most critical episodes in American history. Map of the Battle of Baltimore In fact, Ross and Cockburn had decided on a coordinated air and sea attack.  Ross would land his troops at North Point, Maryland at the tip of the Patapsco Neck and make the short fifteen-mile march to the city.  After the sixty-mile march on Washington, Ross reasoned that he would handle this much shorter distance with relative ease.  Because the Patapsco was relatively shallow, the larger warships would not be able to enter the inner harbor area.  Instead Cockburn would take the smaller frigates and bombardment vessels upriver to attack Fort McHenry and after extinguishing the guns of the fort, to bombard the city itself, hopefully leading to a major conflagration. Admiral George Cockburn depicted with the burning Washington, DC The British army regrouped briefly but within hours began marching briskly towards Washington.  1,200 men halted two miles from the Capitol, Ross continued into the city itself with 200 elite infantrymen.  There was zero resistance, any remaining civilians remained inside their homes.  The only remaining American activity in the city was the deliberate destruction of the Washington Navy Yard, flames visible on the already dark horizon.  Several ships, naval equipment, ordinance and other shipbuilding materials were destroyed to keep them out of the hands of the British.  Ross and Cockburn had already decided to burn any public buildings in the city and as the Navy Yard glowed a few miles away, Ross’ units took position around the US Capitol building.  The Capitol building itself looked nothing like today’s domed edifice, instead it was two square sandstone blocks connected by a wooden passageway.  Under construction since 1793, it was a costly and time- consuming process.  The British entered the building, ascertained that no one was present and began smearing gunpowder paste on the walls of the South Wing.  Once this was lit, paper and wooden furniture was added and within minutes an intense heat drove the arsonists to the North Wing where a magnificent library was quickly put to the torch.  The entire building was soon engulfed in flames. General Robert Ross, the only man ever to capture America's capital Next, Ross, Coburn and a column of men set out to what was known as the “President’s Mansion.”  They entered the now deserted home and devoured the food and wine that was supposed to have been served to the President and his guests as that afternoon’s supper.  After selecting a few souvenirs but nothing of any value as to avoid being charged with “looting”, soldiers quickly began to pile up furniture and soak mattresses with lamp oil.  After some flame was acquired from a nearby tavern, an officer walked through the rooms of the mansion, igniting the makeshift kindling in each room.  Madison’s former home was quickly ablaze, Ross, Cockburn and troops admiring their work from a short distance. General George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry Fort McHenry, under the command of Major George...]]>2950falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/amelia-earhart-lost-heroine--69653630Amelia Earhart as a child. Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas.  Although her mother came from a wealthy family, her father was an attorney but also an alcoholic with an erratic work history that lead to an unstable childhood for both Amelia and her sister, Muriel.  Amelia would attend six high schools before graduating from Hyde Park High School in Chicago. The iconic photograph of Amelia Earhart and her Lockheed Electra 10E Although Amelia dismissed speculation about a global flight, George Putnam began corresponding with Lockheed during the mid thirties about the potential purchase of their latest and most sophisticated aircraft; the Lockheed Electra 10E. Amelia and Fred Noonan in June of 1937. It was suggested by Paul Mantz that because Howland Island, at two miles long and one half mile wide would be a navigational challenge, that Fred Noonan an experienced navigator who had mapped many of Pan American World Airways’ American Clipper routes in the Pacific handle this responsibility.  Noonan had left Pan American and was intent on starting a navigational school as his next commercial venture, an endeavor that would certainly be helped by the publicity generated by Amelia’s flight. The US Air Mail stamp taken from the famous photo. Amelia Earhart 1963 US commemorative stamp.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=240Tue, 23 Feb 2016 03:52:57 +0000Philip D. GibbonsAmelia Earhart, Lost Heroine Amelia Earhart as a child. Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas.  Although her mother came from a wealthy family, her father was an attorney but also an alcoholic with an erratic work history that...Amelia Earhart as a child. Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas.  Although her mother came from a wealthy family, her father was an attorney but also an alcoholic with an erratic work history that lead to an unstable childhood for both Amelia and her sister, Muriel.  Amelia would attend six high schools before graduating from Hyde Park High School in Chicago. The iconic photograph of Amelia Earhart and her Lockheed Electra 10E Although Amelia dismissed speculation about a global flight, George Putnam began corresponding with Lockheed during the mid thirties about the potential purchase of their latest and most sophisticated aircraft; the Lockheed Electra 10E. Amelia and Fred Noonan in June of 1937. It was suggested by Paul Mantz that because Howland Island, at two miles long and one half mile wide would be a navigational challenge, that Fred Noonan an experienced navigator who had mapped many of Pan American World Airways’ American Clipper routes in the Pacific handle this responsibility.  Noonan had left Pan American and was intent on starting a navigational school as his next commercial venture, an endeavor that would certainly be helped by the publicity generated by Amelia’s flight. The US Air Mail stamp taken from the famous photo. Amelia Earhart 1963 US commemorative stamp.]]>2902falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/paul-gauguin-beauty-and-bitterness--69653688Paul Gauguin in Breton attire. From his very first days, Gauguin’s life was filled with a volatile instability that must have affected his development.  He was born in Paris on June 7, 1848.  His father, Clovis, was a journalist, his mother, Aline, the daughter of Flora Tristan, a seminal feminist writer of the early nineteenth century.  Aline’s father had been imprisoned for the attempted murder of Flora, an indication of the chaos surrounding Gauguin’s immediate family.  Flora Tristan died in 1844, and in 1847 Aline married Clovis and soon settled down to married life and the birth of a daughter in 1847 and Paul in 1848.  But the political unrest of Paris forced the young family to think about heading into exile. Mette Gauguin and her five children. It was at the home of Gustave Arosa that Gauguin, in November of 1872, met two female guests, travelling from Denmark.  One of these woman, Mette-Sophie Gad, was immediately attracted to Gauguin and a yearlong courtship began.  Mette was no great beauty, but all accounts indicate that she had a great deal of personality and a practically masculine outlook that could handle the rough edges of an ex-sailor.  A year later the couple would be married and Mette would rapidly become pregnant, Paul’s stock market employment providing a comfortable lifestyle. Gauguin's iconoclastic "Vision After the Sermon." With the death of Theo Van Gogh and the realization that none of his compatriots would leave France for the exotic destinations that he continually fantasized about, Gauguin became fixated on a newer and even more remote destination: Tahiti.  Again he held out for a major sale and a large check that would get him out of France.  He had maintained this fantasy for decades but this time his growing reputation and a newspaper article published the day before a planned sale at the prestigious auction house at the Hotel Druout insured that his paintings would generate a substantial sum.  In all thirty paintings were sold on February 23, 1891, including “Vision After the Sermon” and the portrait “Beautiful Angela” which was purchased by Degas. Van Gogh's jade self-portrait dedicated to "Mon Ami Paul", sold by Gauguin to raise money for Tahiti, auctioned by the Nazi's as "degenerate art", today it hangs in Harvard's Fogg Museum. Vincent Van Gogh had spent the summer writing to all of the artists of Pont-Aven, imploring them to participate in a “colony” in Arles, where he had already relocated.  Gauguin repeatedly put him off by claiming that he would have to wait until he sold some paintings and raised the money to pay off his debts in Brittany.  But when Theo Van Gogh sent him some money and promised more if he would merely agree to join Vincent in the south of France, Gauguin acquiesced.  The overjoyed artist sent him a remarkable, jade green self portrait dedicated to “mon ami Paul” and typically began to fixate on when Gauguin would arrive or if he would even show up at all. Thus the stage was set for one of the most notoriously tragic incidents in art history. Gauguin's painting of Vincent painting sunflowers which caused their final row. A sequence of events in late December brought about Gauguin’s inevitable departure.  As the weather kept them painting indoors, Van Gogh returned to his familiar motif of sunflowers, Gauguin painted a portrait of Vincent at work.  The result horrified and angered Van Gogh.  “It is certainly I, but it’s I gone mad!”  That night at a cafe an argument culminated in Van Gogh throwing a glass of absinthe at Gauguin, who dragged him home and put him to bed.  Although Van Gogh tried to apologize, Gauguin responded by saying he could no longer stay because he might respond to such future outbursts by strangling Vincent. The "Yellow House" in Arles, France. It was destroyed in 1940, rebuilt and repainted in cement to resemble the original building. A terrible rainy season insured that Gauguin and Van Gogh would spend most of their time shut up in the Yellow House, unable to paint outside.  They spent much of their time in philosophical discussions that ultimately became hostile, Gauguin condescendingly dismissive towards all of Van Gogh’s opinions especially when it came to art. Gauguin's "Two Women" Gauguin’s deteriorating health affected his productivity but he still would produce some of his greatest works during this time period, especially,  “Two Tahitian Women”, now in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gauguin's "Where Are We Going?" He also produced the allegorical “Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? that is now in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=216Wed, 13 Jan 2016 03:32:27 +0000Philip D. GibbonsPaul Gauguin, the Bitterness and the Beauty Paul Gauguin in Breton attire. From his very first days, Gauguin’s life was filled with a volatile instability that must have affected his development.  He was born in Paris on June 7, 1848.  His father,...Paul Gauguin in Breton attire. From his very first days, Gauguin’s life was filled with a volatile instability that must have affected his development.  He was born in Paris on June 7, 1848.  His father, Clovis, was a journalist, his mother, Aline, the daughter of Flora Tristan, a seminal feminist writer of the early nineteenth century.  Aline’s father had been imprisoned for the attempted murder of Flora, an indication of the chaos surrounding Gauguin’s immediate family.  Flora Tristan died in 1844, and in 1847 Aline married Clovis and soon settled down to married life and the birth of a daughter in 1847 and Paul in 1848.  But the political unrest of Paris forced the young family to think about heading into exile. Mette Gauguin and her five children. It was at the home of Gustave Arosa that Gauguin, in November of 1872, met two female guests, travelling from Denmark.  One of these woman, Mette-Sophie Gad, was immediately attracted to Gauguin and a yearlong courtship began.  Mette was no great beauty, but all accounts indicate that she had a great deal of personality and a practically masculine outlook that could handle the rough edges of an ex-sailor.  A year later the couple would be married and Mette would rapidly become pregnant, Paul’s stock market employment providing a comfortable lifestyle. Gauguin's iconoclastic "Vision After the Sermon." With the death of Theo Van Gogh and the realization that none of his compatriots would leave France for the exotic destinations that he continually fantasized about, Gauguin became fixated on a newer and even more remote destination: Tahiti.  Again he held out for a major sale and a large check that would get him out of France.  He had maintained this fantasy for decades but this time his growing reputation and a newspaper article published the day before a planned sale at the prestigious auction house at the Hotel Druout insured that his paintings would generate a substantial sum.  In all thirty paintings were sold on February 23, 1891, including “Vision After the Sermon” and the portrait “Beautiful Angela” which was purchased by Degas. Van Gogh's jade self-portrait dedicated to "Mon Ami Paul", sold by Gauguin to raise money for Tahiti, auctioned by the Nazi's as "degenerate art", today it hangs in Harvard's Fogg Museum. Vincent Van Gogh had spent the summer writing to all of the artists of Pont-Aven, imploring them to participate in a “colony” in Arles, where he had already relocated.  Gauguin repeatedly put him off by claiming that he would have to wait until he sold some paintings and raised the money to pay off his debts in Brittany.  But when Theo Van Gogh sent him some money and promised more if he would merely agree to join Vincent in the south of France, Gauguin acquiesced.  The overjoyed artist sent him a remarkable, jade green self portrait dedicated to “mon ami Paul” and typically began to fixate on when Gauguin would arrive or if he would even show up at all. Thus the stage was set for one of the most notoriously tragic incidents in art history. Gauguin's painting of Vincent painting sunflowers which caused their final row. A sequence of events in late...]]>2928falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jack-johnson-heavyweight-champion-of-the-world--69653698Jack Johnson, The Galveston Giant Jack Johnson was born on March 31, 1878 in Galveston.  Very little can be verified about his early life.  Most historical information about him comes from autobiographies that he published himself.  Had he not gone on to achieve boxing notoriety, both he and his family would have been completely forgotten. Jack Johnson knocks out Jim Jeffries, July 4, 1910, Reno, Nevada. By the end of the fourteenth round Jeffries could barely see, his nose was broken and face and upper body streaked with his own blood.  He lumbered gamely toward Johnson at the beginning of the fifteenth round, attempted to clinch but was too exhausted to avoid Johnson’s repetitive combinations.  Finally, perhaps attempting to avoid punishment, Jeffries turned away from Johnson and lurched awkwardly along the ropes.  Johnson responded with a string of rights and lefts that put Jeffries on the canvas for the first time in his pro career.  The stunned crowd watched as Jeffries got to his feet, literally with the help of spectators, but was immediately knocked down by a more direct punch that put him back on the canvas.  Boxing rules at that time allowed a fighter to stand over a fallen opponent and hit him as soon as he got up.  Rickard attempted to shield Jeffries for a brief moment but when the defenseless fighter staggered to his feet, Johnson draped him on the ropes with another succession of brutal punches.  Jeffries corner men stormed into the ring, one tossed a towel in Jeffries direction.  The fight was over. Jack Johnson and Etta Duryea. Within days of signing the contract, Jack Johnson would attend Long Island’s Vanderbilt Cup auto race.  Although he would barred from the finish line reviewing stand where he was told that no blacks were allowed, he would meet Mrs. Etta Terry Duryea, an elegant, very attractive Caucasian female currently separated from her socially well connected husband.  Mrs. Duryea was clearly a cut above the usual women in Johnson’s entourage.  While the two promised to keep in touch, Johnson spent the interim between his fight with Jeffries on a vaudeville tour of the Midwest and northeast. Jess Willard knocks out Jack Johnson in the 26th round, April 5, 1915, Havana, Cuba. By the twenty first round, Johnson was still scoring but he had not hurt Willard and his usually confident demeanor had disappeared.  There were no smiles or taunts as Johnson’s thirty-seven years and grueling lifestyle seemed to be catching up with him.  In the twenty-fifth round Willard landed a punch to the body that made Johnson gasp audibly and the challenger was visibly the quicker, fresher fighter.  When the bell rang for the twenty-sixth round Willard quickly hit Johnson with another right to the body that had Johnson desperately trying to clinch but the challenger shrugged him off and feinted for a few seconds before unleashing a pulverizing right that landed flush on the jaw.  Johnson began falling to the canvas and tried to grab Willard unsuccessfully.  He landed on his back, both of his arms extended over his face as the referee counted him out.  The fight was over, the heavyweight championship of the world had changed hands. Jack Johnson, later in life. On Monday, June 9, 1946 Jack Johnson was returning to New York by automobile from a stint in a Texas tent show.  These were the types of appearances that he essentially survived on in the last twenty-five years of his life.  He was near the town of Franklinton, North Carolina, driving his Lincoln Zephyr at over seventy miles an hour when he lost control and hit a telephone pole.  His assistant was thrown from the car and survived, Jack Johnson died in a hospital three hours later. The graves of Jack Johnson and Etta Duryea, Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois Jack Johnson’s funeral was held in a Baptist church in his mother’s old neighborhood and attended by twenty-five hundred spectators and thousands more milling outside.  He was buried next to Etta Duryea in Chicago’s Graceland Cemetery, resting place of some of the city’s most prestigious citizens including Potter Palmer, Cyrus McCormick and Marshall Field.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=205Sun, 10 Jan 2016 03:15:52 +0000Philip D. GibbonsJack Johnson, the Real Deal Jack Johnson, The Galveston Giant Jack Johnson was born on March 31, 1878 in Galveston.  Very little can be verified about his early life.  Most historical information about him comes from autobiographies that he published...Jack Johnson, The Galveston Giant Jack Johnson was born on March 31, 1878 in Galveston.  Very little can be verified about his early life.  Most historical information about him comes from autobiographies that he published himself.  Had he not gone on to achieve boxing notoriety, both he and his family would have been completely forgotten. Jack Johnson knocks out Jim Jeffries, July 4, 1910, Reno, Nevada. By the end of the fourteenth round Jeffries could barely see, his nose was broken and face and upper body streaked with his own blood.  He lumbered gamely toward Johnson at the beginning of the fifteenth round, attempted to clinch but was too exhausted to avoid Johnson’s repetitive combinations.  Finally, perhaps attempting to avoid punishment, Jeffries turned away from Johnson and lurched awkwardly along the ropes.  Johnson responded with a string of rights and lefts that put Jeffries on the canvas for the first time in his pro career.  The stunned crowd watched as Jeffries got to his feet, literally with the help of spectators, but was immediately knocked down by a more direct punch that put him back on the canvas.  Boxing rules at that time allowed a fighter to stand over a fallen opponent and hit him as soon as he got up.  Rickard attempted to shield Jeffries for a brief moment but when the defenseless fighter staggered to his feet, Johnson draped him on the ropes with another succession of brutal punches.  Jeffries corner men stormed into the ring, one tossed a towel in Jeffries direction.  The fight was over. Jack Johnson and Etta Duryea. Within days of signing the contract, Jack Johnson would attend Long Island’s Vanderbilt Cup auto race.  Although he would barred from the finish line reviewing stand where he was told that no blacks were allowed, he would meet Mrs. Etta Terry Duryea, an elegant, very attractive Caucasian female currently separated from her socially well connected husband.  Mrs. Duryea was clearly a cut above the usual women in Johnson’s entourage.  While the two promised to keep in touch, Johnson spent the interim between his fight with Jeffries on a vaudeville tour of the Midwest and northeast. Jess Willard knocks out Jack Johnson in the 26th round, April 5, 1915, Havana, Cuba. By the twenty first round, Johnson was still scoring but he had not hurt Willard and his usually confident demeanor had disappeared.  There were no smiles or taunts as Johnson’s thirty-seven years and grueling lifestyle seemed to be catching up with him.  In the twenty-fifth round Willard landed a punch to the body that made Johnson gasp audibly and the challenger was visibly the quicker, fresher fighter.  When the bell rang for the twenty-sixth round Willard quickly hit Johnson with another right to the body that had Johnson desperately trying to clinch but the challenger shrugged him off and feinted for a few seconds before unleashing a pulverizing right that landed flush on the jaw.  Johnson began falling to the canvas and tried to grab Willard unsuccessfully.  He landed on his back, both of his arms extended over his face as the referee counted him out.  The fight was over, the heavyweight championship of the world had changed hands. Jack Johnson,...]]>3452falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/king-ludwig-ii-of-bavaria-a-beautiful-madness--69653691Wonderful Atlantic Monthly Photo Essay on Ludwig IILudwig II as a young man Ludwig II was born on August 25, 1845.  His father, Maximillian, was then the Crown Prince of Bavaria.  His grandfather, Ludwig I, was the King of Bavaria and a member of the House of Wittlesbach, the ruling dynasty that had governed the Kingdom of Bavaria, for over six hundred years. King Ludwig II Upon Maximilian’s death, Ludwig became Ludwig II at the age of eighteen.  His childhood had not been particularly happy, raised by governesses and without interaction with or affection from either of his parents, he spent much of his time in emotional isolation.  He also developed a hostility toward his younger brother Otto, feeling that because he was the heir and expected to reign eventually as the king, he was held to a much higher standard. Ludwig and his fiancee, Sophie of Bavaria Unfortunately, Ludwig immediately had misgivings and began to realize that moving forward with the marriage would be a disaster.  Publicly, he initially attempted to maintain an appropriate veneer of enthusiasm and affection, privately the courtship featured nothing more than an occasional furtive kiss on the brow.  Ludwig spent much of the summer arriving at Sophie’s family’s palace at Possenhoven at all hours of the night where the couple would engage in awkward small talk and interact without any real passion.  By the end of the summer and the impending August wedding date, Ludwig decided to postpone the event.  His explanation was that the wedding would be rescheduled for October 12, the anniversary date of his grandfather, Ludwig I, and father, Max II.  But when Ludwig also cancelled the wedding on this date, Sophie’s parents demanded that he either set a permanent date or call it off for good.  Ludwig chose to characterize this demand as impertinent and informed Sophie that as a result, the engagement was officially ended. Neuschwanstein Castle As Ludwig became more isolated from day to day reality, his preoccupation with architecture and building became more prominent.  As early as 1868 he had written to Wagner of his desire to build a castle in the style of German folklore, something that might be occupied by one of the heroic figures of a Wagnerian opera.  Having thoroughly explored the area surrounding Hohenschwangau, Ludwig selected a dramatic location on a raised plateau known as the Pollat Gorge.  Sketches were composed by architects after consultations with Ludwig II about his vision for the building.  Construction began in 1869, it would not end until after Ludwig’s death.  Initially called New Hohenschwangau Castle it would ultimately be named Neuschwanstein, or “New Swan Stone” Castle. Ludwig in middle age During Ludwig’s lifetime, the public was forbidden to enter the palace grounds.  Only servants or an occasional expressly invited visitor were permitted.  This was in line with the ever more reclusive life that Ludwig began to pursue in the 1870’s.  He spent his days sleeping and nights reading obscure literature frequently from the era of Louis XIV.  He commissioned plays and operas to be performed privately in large theaters in Munich for his benefit with no other audience.  He would take evening rides in his gilded carriage or sleigh in winter, his footmen dressed in the manner of the court of Louis XIV, the king drawn by white horses that made a spectacular impression on the rural inhabitants of backwoods Bavaria. Ludwig II lying in state The death of Ludwig II was met by shock and grief throughout Bavaria.  The king’s body was conveyed to the capital where it would publically lie in state for three days in the chapel of the Residenz.  An immense funeral procession would convey the king to St. Michael’s Church and his burial place in the church crypt, a procession that would take over two and a half hours.  The funeral of Ludwig is believed to be the largest state occasion in the history of the city of Munich.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=184Thu, 22 Oct 2015 07:40:26 +0000Philip D. GibbonsKing Ludwig II of Bavaria, a Beautiful Madness http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/06/the-125th-anniversary-of-the-death-of-king-ludwig-ii/100085/Ludwig II as a young man Ludwig II was born on August 25, 1845.  His father, Maximillian, was then the...Wonderful Atlantic Monthly Photo Essay on Ludwig IILudwig II as a young man Ludwig II was born on August 25, 1845.  His father, Maximillian, was then the Crown Prince of Bavaria.  His grandfather, Ludwig I, was the King of Bavaria and a member of the House of Wittlesbach, the ruling dynasty that had governed the Kingdom of Bavaria, for over six hundred years. King Ludwig II Upon Maximilian’s death, Ludwig became Ludwig II at the age of eighteen.  His childhood had not been particularly happy, raised by governesses and without interaction with or affection from either of his parents, he spent much of his time in emotional isolation.  He also developed a hostility toward his younger brother Otto, feeling that because he was the heir and expected to reign eventually as the king, he was held to a much higher standard. Ludwig and his fiancee, Sophie of Bavaria Unfortunately, Ludwig immediately had misgivings and began to realize that moving forward with the marriage would be a disaster.  Publicly, he initially attempted to maintain an appropriate veneer of enthusiasm and affection, privately the courtship featured nothing more than an occasional furtive kiss on the brow.  Ludwig spent much of the summer arriving at Sophie’s family’s palace at Possenhoven at all hours of the night where the couple would engage in awkward small talk and interact without any real passion.  By the end of the summer and the impending August wedding date, Ludwig decided to postpone the event.  His explanation was that the wedding would be rescheduled for October 12, the anniversary date of his grandfather, Ludwig I, and father, Max II.  But when Ludwig also cancelled the wedding on this date, Sophie’s parents demanded that he either set a permanent date or call it off for good.  Ludwig chose to characterize this demand as impertinent and informed Sophie that as a result, the engagement was officially ended. Neuschwanstein Castle As Ludwig became more isolated from day to day reality, his preoccupation with architecture and building became more prominent.  As early as 1868 he had written to Wagner of his desire to build a castle in the style of German folklore, something that might be occupied by one of the heroic figures of a Wagnerian opera.  Having thoroughly explored the area surrounding Hohenschwangau, Ludwig selected a dramatic location on a raised plateau known as the Pollat Gorge.  Sketches were composed by architects after consultations with Ludwig II about his vision for the building.  Construction began in 1869, it would not end until after Ludwig’s death.  Initially called New Hohenschwangau Castle it would ultimately be named Neuschwanstein, or “New Swan Stone” Castle. Ludwig in middle age During Ludwig’s lifetime, the public was forbidden to enter the palace grounds.  Only servants or an occasional expressly invited visitor were permitted.  This was in line with the ever more reclusive life that Ludwig began to pursue in the 1870’s.  He spent his days sleeping and nights reading obscure literature...]]>3253falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/billie-holiday-lady-day--69653682Billie Holiday, 1917 Sometimes the most remarkable artistic genius can emerge from the humblest of beginnings.  Sarah Julia Harris was born on August 16, 1895 in Baltimore, MD.  Disowned by her father, she was raised by her mother, who ultimately married another man and had two more children.  Like her siblings, Sarah, nicknamed “Sadie”, began working at cleaning jobs at an early age, a lack of education rendered her virtually illiterate.  She was employed on the railroad trains that operated between Baltimore and Philadelphia.  When she became pregnant at age nineteen, she was kicked out of her family’s home and fired from her job.  With few options, she agreed to be admitted into the Philadelphia General Hospital, performing menial tasks in exchange for shelter and care.  Her child was born on April 7, 1915.  This child had several versions of her first name listed on official documents, various approximations of the name Eleanora.  Although she started life as Eleanora Harris, eventually the world would come to know this illegitimate daughter of an unemployed domestic by a different name: Billie Holiday. Billie Holiday, performing in the forties. Fortunately, addiction had not yet seriously diminished her talent.  Performing mostly in New York, her trademark gardenia in her hair, 1943 and 1944 would be the high point of her live career. Billie Holiday, backstage with her dog "Mister." Billie Holiday, federal prison mug shot This behavior would come to public attention when Billie Holiday and Joe Guy were arrested by federal narcotics agents in New York City for possession of heroin.  Drugs and hypodermic needles were found in a search of a room that both individuals had occupied in Philadelphia.  Despite a flimsy case, Billie disdained legal advice and plead guilty and was sentenced to a year and a day in a federal reformatory in Alderson, West Virginia. Billie Holiday, later years. Despite her legal problems and her lack of any recently recorded hits, Billie remained immensely popular.  Her persona, which had been that of someone “unlucky in love,” was now changing towards someone unlucky in life.  It didn’t take long for her to lapse back into addiction, which became the cause of cancelled recording sessions and missed concert dates.  If she did show up she would seem disinterested, would play a short set and disappear.  Clearly, her lifestyle was beginning to affect her performance.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=173Thu, 22 Oct 2015 06:40:20 +0000Philip D. GibbonsBillie Holiday, Lady Day Billie Holiday, 1917 Sometimes the most remarkable artistic genius can emerge from the humblest of beginnings.  Sarah Julia Harris was born on August 16, 1895 in Baltimore, MD.  Disowned by her father, she was raised by her...Billie Holiday, 1917 Sometimes the most remarkable artistic genius can emerge from the humblest of beginnings.  Sarah Julia Harris was born on August 16, 1895 in Baltimore, MD.  Disowned by her father, she was raised by her mother, who ultimately married another man and had two more children.  Like her siblings, Sarah, nicknamed “Sadie”, began working at cleaning jobs at an early age, a lack of education rendered her virtually illiterate.  She was employed on the railroad trains that operated between Baltimore and Philadelphia.  When she became pregnant at age nineteen, she was kicked out of her family’s home and fired from her job.  With few options, she agreed to be admitted into the Philadelphia General Hospital, performing menial tasks in exchange for shelter and care.  Her child was born on April 7, 1915.  This child had several versions of her first name listed on official documents, various approximations of the name Eleanora.  Although she started life as Eleanora Harris, eventually the world would come to know this illegitimate daughter of an unemployed domestic by a different name: Billie Holiday. Billie Holiday, performing in the forties. Fortunately, addiction had not yet seriously diminished her talent.  Performing mostly in New York, her trademark gardenia in her hair, 1943 and 1944 would be the high point of her live career. Billie Holiday, backstage with her dog "Mister." Billie Holiday, federal prison mug shot This behavior would come to public attention when Billie Holiday and Joe Guy were arrested by federal narcotics agents in New York City for possession of heroin.  Drugs and hypodermic needles were found in a search of a room that both individuals had occupied in Philadelphia.  Despite a flimsy case, Billie disdained legal advice and plead guilty and was sentenced to a year and a day in a federal reformatory in Alderson, West Virginia. Billie Holiday, later years. Despite her legal problems and her lack of any recently recorded hits, Billie remained immensely popular.  Her persona, which had been that of someone “unlucky in love,” was now changing towards someone unlucky in life.  It didn’t take long for her to lapse back into addiction, which became the cause of cancelled recording sessions and missed concert dates.  If she did show up she would seem disinterested, would play a short set and disappear.  Clearly, her lifestyle was beginning to affect her performance.]]>2215falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/edgar-allan-poe-utterly-mysterious--69653632Edgar Allan Poe, only days after his suicide attempt, 1848 Poe was born Edgar Poe on January 19, 1809, in the city of Boston.  His parents, David and Eliza were actors that travelled a circuit along the Eastern seaboard.  His mother performed a week before his birth and would return again to the Boston stage a month later, which is indicative of the economic stability of Poe’s family.  David Poe had abandoned a career in law to try and achieve his wife’s level of dramatic success.  That he was unable to do so became a source of frustration and anger that eventually ended the marriage.  He disappeared and was dead by 1811.  Eliza took her three young children to Richmond where she would contract tuberculosis and also die in 1811, on December 8. Virginia Clemm Poe, the only likeness of Poe's wife that exists. On May 16, 1836 Poe married Virginia Clemm.  The groom was twenty-seven, the bride, fourteen.  The specifics regarding when and if Poe enjoyed a physical relationship with his young cousin is a matter of dispute.  It is widely believed that initially Poe and his wife’s relationship was platonic in nature but as she grew older their relationship became more typically romantic.  That they were emotionally close and that Virginia Clemm practically idolized her husband has never been disputed. Maria Clemm Poe and Maria Clemm remained in the Bronx, and 1847 started off reasonably well when he prevailed in a libel suit that provided a few hundred dollars.  But Poe would write very little in 1847, depressed, distracted and his own health now deteriorating. Rufus Griswold As if Poe had not suffered enough in life, upon his death, his literary estate and even personal reputation came under immediate attack.  Rufus Griswold was a prominent anthologist who published the very popular “The Poets and Poetry of America.”, throughout the 1840’s.  Wanting to be included in this anthology Poe naturally attempted to cultivate Griswold and Griswold, wanting Poe’s critical approval included occasional poems and corresponded with Poe.  At best this was merely a business relationship, at times Poe lashed out at Griswold, both in criticism and lectures, that Griswold was the purveyor of the type of mediocre literature that Poe routinely would savage in his critical columns.  Poe must have felt that their occasional disputes were behind them late in life because in his final years he is alleged to have appointed Griswold the executor of his literary estate.  Unfortunately, Poe could not have been more mistaken in underestimating the deep animosity that Griswold still harbored for him.  Within two days of Poe’s death, Griswold, using the pseudonym “Ludwig” published a lengthy obituary in the prominent New York Daily Tribune which disparaged Poe’s professional criticism, mentioned his wife’s death amidst extreme poverty and included such personal descriptions as “he walked the streets, in madness or melancholy, with lips moving in indistinct curses.”  Because of his reputation as a Baptist minister and respected anthologist, Griswold’s slanderous profile gained traction with the press and public and severely damaged Poe’s reputation. Sarah Helen Whitman With his professional life at a dead end, Poe turned to another alternative to resuscitate his economic fortunes: marriage.  With celebrity, Poe became the object of female attention that continued throughout the decade of the 1840’s.  Poe became quite friendly with some of these women and now, he decided that one of them, Sarah Helen Whitman, six years older than Poe at forty-five, was worthy of more serious pursuit.  A widow, Helen Whitman lived in Providence, Rhode Island and travelled within literary and intellectual circles.  In 1848, Poe and Helen Whitman exchanged correspondence and Poe showed up in Providence without notice on September 21 and within days hastily proposed marriage.  Poe had literally begged her to rescue him and reinvigorate his genius but Helen said that she would have to think it over.  Ultimately, aware of the rumors of drunkenness and instability, Helen turned him down. Elmira Royster Shelton While in Richmond, Poe attempted to rekindle a very old relationship.  This time it was with Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton, his former next-door neighbor and fifteen-year old sweetheart.  Elmira’s husband, Alexander, a wealthy businessman had died in 1844, leaving behind a large estate. Although the will stipulated that Elmira would lose three quarters of the bequest upon remarriage and her family was hostile, Poe quickly proposed and insisted upon an immediate response.  It is unclear whether Elmira Royster Shelton ever agreed to marry Edgar Allan Poe but on September 27, Poe left by steamer for New York.  There he intended to settle his affairs, fetch his aunt and return to Richmond, where he at least believed his marriage would eventually take place. Edgar Allan Poe Tomb, Westminster Cemetery, Baltimore, MD, (Philip D. Gibbons photo) Following the distraction of the Civil War, a group of Baltimore public educators began a campaign within the school system to appropriately memorialize Edgar Allan Poe.  It took ten years but the pennies and nickels collected by students as well as a sizable donation from a Philadelphia newspaper owner eventually provided the funds for a suitable monument.  The impressive memorial was dedicated with great fanfare on November 17, 1875.  Poe and his Aunt Maria Clemm were exhumed and reburied within an impressive marble structure.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=146Thu, 27 Aug 2015 00:11:37 +0000Philip D. GibbonsEdgar Allan Poe: Life Sucks and Then You Die Edgar Allan Poe, only days after his suicide attempt, 1848 Poe was born Edgar Poe on January 19, 1809, in the city of Boston.  His parents, David and Eliza were actors that travelled a circuit along the...Edgar Allan Poe, only days after his suicide attempt, 1848 Poe was born Edgar Poe on January 19, 1809, in the city of Boston.  His parents, David and Eliza were actors that travelled a circuit along the Eastern seaboard.  His mother performed a week before his birth and would return again to the Boston stage a month later, which is indicative of the economic stability of Poe’s family.  David Poe had abandoned a career in law to try and achieve his wife’s level of dramatic success.  That he was unable to do so became a source of frustration and anger that eventually ended the marriage.  He disappeared and was dead by 1811.  Eliza took her three young children to Richmond where she would contract tuberculosis and also die in 1811, on December 8. Virginia Clemm Poe, the only likeness of Poe's wife that exists. On May 16, 1836 Poe married Virginia Clemm.  The groom was twenty-seven, the bride, fourteen.  The specifics regarding when and if Poe enjoyed a physical relationship with his young cousin is a matter of dispute.  It is widely believed that initially Poe and his wife’s relationship was platonic in nature but as she grew older their relationship became more typically romantic.  That they were emotionally close and that Virginia Clemm practically idolized her husband has never been disputed. Maria Clemm Poe and Maria Clemm remained in the Bronx, and 1847 started off reasonably well when he prevailed in a libel suit that provided a few hundred dollars.  But Poe would write very little in 1847, depressed, distracted and his own health now deteriorating. Rufus Griswold As if Poe had not suffered enough in life, upon his death, his literary estate and even personal reputation came under immediate attack.  Rufus Griswold was a prominent anthologist who published the very popular “The Poets and Poetry of America.”, throughout the 1840’s.  Wanting to be included in this anthology Poe naturally attempted to cultivate Griswold and Griswold, wanting Poe’s critical approval included occasional poems and corresponded with Poe.  At best this was merely a business relationship, at times Poe lashed out at Griswold, both in criticism and lectures, that Griswold was the purveyor of the type of mediocre literature that Poe routinely would savage in his critical columns.  Poe must have felt that their occasional disputes were behind them late in life because in his final years he is alleged to have appointed Griswold the executor of his literary estate.  Unfortunately, Poe could not have been more mistaken in underestimating the deep animosity that Griswold still harbored for him.  Within two days of Poe’s death, Griswold, using the pseudonym “Ludwig” published a lengthy obituary in the prominent New York Daily Tribune which disparaged Poe’s professional criticism, mentioned his wife’s death amidst extreme poverty and included such personal descriptions as “he walked the streets, in madness or melancholy, with lips moving in indistinct curses.”  Because of his reputation as a Baptist minister and respected anthologist, Griswold’s slanderous profile gained traction with the press and public and severely damaged Poe’s reputation. Sarah Helen Whitman With his...]]>3126falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ernesto-che-guevara-myth-of-the-guerrillero-heroico--69653689Che Guevara, El Guerrillero Heroico, by Korda Ernesto Guevara de la Serna was born in Rosario, Argentina on May 14, 1928.   His upper class parents forged his birth certificate to read June 14 to conceal the fact that Ernesto was conceived out of wedlock.  Ernesto Guevara Lynch and Celia de la Serna y Llosa both came from socially well-connected families.  Despite Ernesto Sr.’s attempts at several money-making ventures, the family lived on Celia’s inheritance. Original Photo, before Massetti and Palm tree were cropped out. On March 4, 1960 Che Guevara was meeting with industrial management associates in downtown Havana, when a massive explosion ripped through the wharf area of the city.  A French freighter, La Coubre, had been unloading armaments directly onto the dock when a momentous explosion occurred.  Thirty minutes later, with a massive emergency aid effort underway, another explosion went off, killing even more people.  Approximately seventy-five people died and two hundred more were injured in an incident that Castro immediately charged was planned and carried out by the CIA.  He ordered a state funeral with a procession through Havana to a speaker’s platform set up in front of the city’s prominent Colon cemetery.  Castro used the occasion for a typically lengthy and aggressive speech.  Alberto Korda, a former fashion photographer who had joined Castro’s entourage and recorded such events began to photograph various government officials standing in Castro’s vicinity.  He suddenly noticed Che Guevara standing off to the side, gazing introspectively into the crowd.  Korda had only a few seconds to take two photographs before Che Guevara sat down behind Castro.  Although Korda immediately knew he had taken two excellent photos, neither would be published in any newspaper accounts of the memorial.  He cropped the palm tree and profile of another individual out of the picture, tilted Che’s head slightly and tacked the photo to the wall of his studio. Che on his honeymoon with Hilda Gadea Seems like a rather tense occasion. Che and Aleida March on their honeymoon For Che Guevara personally, the grim reality of his marriage also reared its head early in the first days of the Cuban revolutionary government.  His wife, Hilda, and daughter arrived from Peru but Che Guevara immediately told her of the “other woman” and asked for a divorce.  Hilda later wrote an unverifiably sentimental account of their discussion but the divorce was granted and Che Guevara quickly married Aleida March. Che in Red Square The Bay of Pigs combined with a disastrous Kennedy-Khrushchev summit meeting at Vienna to prompt the most dangerous episode of the Cold War.  Thinking that his American counterpart was a weak intellectual who could be intimidated, Khrushchev began negotiations with Castro regarding the installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba.  The Soviet Union had been forced to accept similar American missiles in Turkey and the Soviet leader saw an opportunity to humiliate the US and also guarantee Cuba’s security.  Castro, with Che Guevara’s enthusiastic urging, agreed, in principle.  As an indication of Che Guevara’s importance in the Cuban government hierarchy, it was Che who was sent to the USSR in August of 1962 to finalize the deal. Tamara Bunke, aka "Tania" Much of the success of the Cuban revolution was due to a well organized courier underground that allowed the Cuban rebels to communicate their needs at all times.  Tamara Bunke aka “Tania” was attempting to serve this purpose and  connected with Che’s unit in early January.  She had brought with her two agents from Cuban intelligence, Ciro Bustos and Simon Debray.  Unfortunately, a Bolivian communist informer tipped off the government as to her true identity and she could no longer return to La Paz where she had been able to inform Havana by coded radio messages as to the progress of and whereabouts of Che’s mission. Patty Hearst aka "Tania", Symbionese Liberation Army Che and Felix Rodriguez in front of La Higuera schoolhouse, minutes before Che's execution. The following morning local senior officials of the Bolivian military as well as Felix Rodriguez arrived in La Higuera by helicopter.  Rodriguez would eventually recount his encounter with the captive Che. “He looked like a beggar, He did not even have a uniform, he did not have any boots, he had some pair of leather tied down to his foot.  He was very filthy and it was a tremendous shock to see the way this man looked at this point in time.” Che Guevara's body on display at Vallegrande, Bolivia hospital As the sergeant entered, Che supposedly said “I know you have come to kill me.  Shoot, coward, you are only going to kill a man.”  It was ten after one PM on October 9, 1967.  Ernesto “Che” Guevara was thirty-nine years old. Leather shoes of Che Guevara worn when he was captured. Blood is from the leg wound suffered in combat. Che, the man was dead.  The Bolivian government would do everything possible to diminish his memory.  After unceremoniously displaying his body to the international press in a hospital in Vallegrande, Bolivia, they cut off and preserved his hands lest anyone claim that Che had not died and then they buried the body in a secret location in Vallegrande.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=128Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:41:06 +0000Philip D. GibbonsErnesto "Che" Guevara, Revolutionary Poster Boy Che Guevara, El Guerrillero Heroico, by Korda Ernesto Guevara de la Serna was born in Rosario, Argentina on May 14, 1928.   His upper class parents forged his birth certificate to read June 14 to conceal...Che Guevara, El Guerrillero Heroico, by Korda Ernesto Guevara de la Serna was born in Rosario, Argentina on May 14, 1928.   His upper class parents forged his birth certificate to read June 14 to conceal the fact that Ernesto was conceived out of wedlock.  Ernesto Guevara Lynch and Celia de la Serna y Llosa both came from socially well-connected families.  Despite Ernesto Sr.’s attempts at several money-making ventures, the family lived on Celia’s inheritance. Original Photo, before Massetti and Palm tree were cropped out. On March 4, 1960 Che Guevara was meeting with industrial management associates in downtown Havana, when a massive explosion ripped through the wharf area of the city.  A French freighter, La Coubre, had been unloading armaments directly onto the dock when a momentous explosion occurred.  Thirty minutes later, with a massive emergency aid effort underway, another explosion went off, killing even more people.  Approximately seventy-five people died and two hundred more were injured in an incident that Castro immediately charged was planned and carried out by the CIA.  He ordered a state funeral with a procession through Havana to a speaker’s platform set up in front of the city’s prominent Colon cemetery.  Castro used the occasion for a typically lengthy and aggressive speech.  Alberto Korda, a former fashion photographer who had joined Castro’s entourage and recorded such events began to photograph various government officials standing in Castro’s vicinity.  He suddenly noticed Che Guevara standing off to the side, gazing introspectively into the crowd.  Korda had only a few seconds to take two photographs before Che Guevara sat down behind Castro.  Although Korda immediately knew he had taken two excellent photos, neither would be published in any newspaper accounts of the memorial.  He cropped the palm tree and profile of another individual out of the picture, tilted Che’s head slightly and tacked the photo to the wall of his studio. Che on his honeymoon with Hilda Gadea Seems like a rather tense occasion. Che and Aleida March on their honeymoon For Che Guevara personally, the grim reality of his marriage also reared its head early in the first days of the Cuban revolutionary government.  His wife, Hilda, and daughter arrived from Peru but Che Guevara immediately told her of the “other woman” and asked for a divorce.  Hilda later wrote an unverifiably sentimental account of their discussion but the divorce was granted and Che Guevara quickly married Aleida March. Che in Red Square The Bay of Pigs combined with a disastrous Kennedy-Khrushchev summit meeting at Vienna to prompt the most dangerous episode of the Cold War.  Thinking that his American counterpart was a weak intellectual who could be intimidated, Khrushchev began negotiations with Castro regarding the installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba.  The Soviet Union had been forced to accept similar American missiles in Turkey and the Soviet leader saw an opportunity to humiliate the US and also guarantee Cuba’s security.  Castro, with Che Guevara’s enthusiastic urging, agreed, in principle.  As an indication of Che Guevara’s importance in the Cuban government hierarchy, it was Che who was sent to the USSR in August...]]>3207falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/friedrich-nietzsche-both-man-and-dynamite--69653697Friedrich Nietzsche Friedrich Nietzsche was born in Rocken, Germany on October 15, 1844.  In July of 1849, Nietzsche’s father, a thirty-five year old minister, died of an indeterminate brain condition, forcing the family to move to the nearby town of Naumburg.  Both of these locations are in the Saxony region, former German Democratic Republic, approximately thirty miles southwest of the city of Leipzig. Paul Ree, Lou Salome and Nietzsche Ree and Salome quickly began to discuss establishing their own intellectual cadre with the participants literally living together in a bohemian utopia, this in an era where a male and female living under the same roof for any reason would be considered scandalous.  Into this intrigue, Friedrich Nietzsche finally arrived and a meeting with the   couple ensued at St. Peter’s Basilica.  His alleged greeting to Lou Salome while Ree was preoccupied with recording his impressions of the cathedral was “From what stars have we fallen here to meet?” The (in)famous photo of Salome, Ree and Nietzsche In her self serving memoir written many years later, Lou Salome would claim that in Lucerne, Nietzsche would make his second marriage proposal, the type of awkwardly unrealistic action that probably guaranteed Nietzsche lifelong bachelorhood.  Realistically, since Lou Salome’s only income came from her inheritance, a small amount meant only until she married, she wasn’t going to marry anybody, at least not then.  From this afternoon also emerged a famous photograph of Lou Salome with a whip of lilacs driving the two philosophers who are tethered to a make believe cart.  From there, this strange group scattered, Nietzsche to his home in Naumburg, Ree to his family home near Berlin and both Salome’s to Zurich Nietzsche, with Elizabeth, one year before his death. Elizabeth didn’t have the office space in Weimar to accommodate her brother so she quickly persuaded a very wealthy patron and former acquaintance of Nietzsche, Meta Von Salis, to buy a three-story villa as a suitable setting for her brother’s last years.  Once the house was purchased, Elizabeth decided it needed some appropriately luxurious improvements and without telling the new owner, went ahead with the new construction.  Von Salis was stuck with the bill but at least got the satisfaction of accusing Elizabeth of exploiting the archive for her own benefit.  By then, Friedrich Nietzsche was installed as the centerpiece of his sister’s shrine to his work, trotted out occasionally for especially wealthy potential patrons and responding to any visitors with a blank stare.  Mercifully, he succumbed to a heart attack on August 25, 1900. Hitler, visiting Elizabeth at the Nietzsche Archive in Weimar. Elizabeth Nietzsche would enthusiastically support the ascendance of Adolf Hitler, inviting him in 1934 to the Nietzsche Archive for a photo op and proclaiming that her brother would have been just as supportive.  Hitler had probably read little of Nietzsche’s work but he certainly grasped what the purported endorsement of an internationally famous intellectual would mean to the image of his inner circle, generally perceived as a motley crew of unsophisticated thugs.]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=93Wed, 15 Jul 2015 03:38:07 +0000Philip D. GibbonsFriedrich Nietzsche: I am not a Man! I am Dynamite! Friedrich Nietzsche Friedrich Nietzsche was born in Rocken, Germany on October 15, 1844.  In July of 1849, Nietzsche’s father, a thirty-five year old minister, died of an indeterminate brain...Friedrich Nietzsche Friedrich Nietzsche was born in Rocken, Germany on October 15, 1844.  In July of 1849, Nietzsche’s father, a thirty-five year old minister, died of an indeterminate brain condition, forcing the family to move to the nearby town of Naumburg.  Both of these locations are in the Saxony region, former German Democratic Republic, approximately thirty miles southwest of the city of Leipzig. Paul Ree, Lou Salome and Nietzsche Ree and Salome quickly began to discuss establishing their own intellectual cadre with the participants literally living together in a bohemian utopia, this in an era where a male and female living under the same roof for any reason would be considered scandalous.  Into this intrigue, Friedrich Nietzsche finally arrived and a meeting with the   couple ensued at St. Peter’s Basilica.  His alleged greeting to Lou Salome while Ree was preoccupied with recording his impressions of the cathedral was “From what stars have we fallen here to meet?” The (in)famous photo of Salome, Ree and Nietzsche In her self serving memoir written many years later, Lou Salome would claim that in Lucerne, Nietzsche would make his second marriage proposal, the type of awkwardly unrealistic action that probably guaranteed Nietzsche lifelong bachelorhood.  Realistically, since Lou Salome’s only income came from her inheritance, a small amount meant only until she married, she wasn’t going to marry anybody, at least not then.  From this afternoon also emerged a famous photograph of Lou Salome with a whip of lilacs driving the two philosophers who are tethered to a make believe cart.  From there, this strange group scattered, Nietzsche to his home in Naumburg, Ree to his family home near Berlin and both Salome’s to Zurich Nietzsche, with Elizabeth, one year before his death. Elizabeth didn’t have the office space in Weimar to accommodate her brother so she quickly persuaded a very wealthy patron and former acquaintance of Nietzsche, Meta Von Salis, to buy a three-story villa as a suitable setting for her brother’s last years.  Once the house was purchased, Elizabeth decided it needed some appropriately luxurious improvements and without telling the new owner, went ahead with the new construction.  Von Salis was stuck with the bill but at least got the satisfaction of accusing Elizabeth of exploiting the archive for her own benefit.  By then, Friedrich Nietzsche was installed as the centerpiece of his sister’s shrine to his work, trotted out occasionally for especially wealthy potential patrons and responding to any visitors with a blank stare.  Mercifully, he succumbed to a heart attack on August 25, 1900. Hitler, visiting Elizabeth at the Nietzsche Archive in Weimar. Elizabeth Nietzsche would enthusiastically support the ascendance of Adolf Hitler, inviting him in 1934 to the Nietzsche Archive for a photo op and proclaiming that her brother would have been just as supportive.  Hitler had probably read little of Nietzsche’s work but he certainly grasped what the purported endorsement of an internationally famous intellectual would mean to the image of his inner circle, generally perceived as a motley crew of unsophisticated thugs.]]>2970falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mildred-harnack-and-the-red-orchestra--69653699Mildred Harnack, courtesy, Eric D. Carlson Mildred Fish Harnack was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 16, 1902.  Her parents, descended from a New England, protestant background, separated when Mildred was a teenager and she was primarily raised by her mother.  After her father’s death in 1918, the family relocated to the Washington, DC area but Mildred returned in 1921 to attend the University of Wisconsin. Arvid Harnack While a student at the University, Mildred met a German Rockefeller scholar, Arvid Harnack, in 1926.  In September they were married and Mildred continued with her studies and taught literature.  Having been immersed as a youngster in the deeply German immigrant culture of Milwaukee and subsequently exposed to the radical political atmosphere of Madison, Mildred’s attraction to a German intellectual would be completely predictable.  From the very beginning, the Harnack’s marriage was atypical.  Although Harnack’s uncle was the esteemed German theologian Adolf Von Harnack, Arvid’s father also died when he was a teenager and his immediate family was struggling with the disastrous German economy of the twenties.  When Harnack’s academic stipend ran out in 1928, he was forced to return to Germany.  Mildred Harnack obtained a teaching position at Goucher College in Baltimore and the young couple hoped to reunite quickly. Harro Schulze-Boysen Horst Heilemann, a young member of this German cryptology unit was also a former student of Harro Schulze-Boysen and regularly socialized with the couple.  After Harro confided that he worked with Russian intelligence, Heilemann mentioned that his group had successfully intercepted some communications and identified some Russian agents.  When Heilemann returned to his office and reviewed decoded messages he determined that the Schulz-Boysens had been compromised.  He unsuccessfully attempted to telephone Harro and was forced to leave an urgent message.  Later, when Harro returned the call, instead of Heilemann he got a senior colleague on the line.  Confused by the cryptic message he had received, he unfortunately identified himself.  Heilemann’s stunned colleague figured out what had happened and immediately informed the secret police.  The Gestapo did not want to risk further warnings to other members of the group and Harro Schulze-Boysen was arrested on August 31, 1942.  Convicted by a military court, he was hanged in Plotzensee Prison, Berlin, December 22, 1942 Libertas Schulze-Boysen Libertas Shulze-Boysen was in the unique position of having access to film footage that was used by the propaganda ministry.  She was able to produce photographic copies of atrocities that were being committed against Jews and others on the Eastern Front.  Unsuccessful attempts were made to get this information to the West.  She was guillotined in Plotzensee Prison, Berlin, December 22, 1942, one hour after her husband was hanged. Mildred Harnack, May, 1938, courtesy of Eric D. Carlson]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=85Tue, 14 Jul 2015 01:35:18 +0000Philip D. GibbonsMildred Fish Harnack, the Only American Female Ever Executed For Espionage by Nazi Germany Mildred Harnack, courtesy, Eric D. Carlson Mildred Fish Harnack was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 16, 1902.  Her parents, descended from a New...Mildred Harnack, courtesy, Eric D. Carlson Mildred Fish Harnack was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 16, 1902.  Her parents, descended from a New England, protestant background, separated when Mildred was a teenager and she was primarily raised by her mother.  After her father’s death in 1918, the family relocated to the Washington, DC area but Mildred returned in 1921 to attend the University of Wisconsin. Arvid Harnack While a student at the University, Mildred met a German Rockefeller scholar, Arvid Harnack, in 1926.  In September they were married and Mildred continued with her studies and taught literature.  Having been immersed as a youngster in the deeply German immigrant culture of Milwaukee and subsequently exposed to the radical political atmosphere of Madison, Mildred’s attraction to a German intellectual would be completely predictable.  From the very beginning, the Harnack’s marriage was atypical.  Although Harnack’s uncle was the esteemed German theologian Adolf Von Harnack, Arvid’s father also died when he was a teenager and his immediate family was struggling with the disastrous German economy of the twenties.  When Harnack’s academic stipend ran out in 1928, he was forced to return to Germany.  Mildred Harnack obtained a teaching position at Goucher College in Baltimore and the young couple hoped to reunite quickly. Harro Schulze-Boysen Horst Heilemann, a young member of this German cryptology unit was also a former student of Harro Schulze-Boysen and regularly socialized with the couple.  After Harro confided that he worked with Russian intelligence, Heilemann mentioned that his group had successfully intercepted some communications and identified some Russian agents.  When Heilemann returned to his office and reviewed decoded messages he determined that the Schulz-Boysens had been compromised.  He unsuccessfully attempted to telephone Harro and was forced to leave an urgent message.  Later, when Harro returned the call, instead of Heilemann he got a senior colleague on the line.  Confused by the cryptic message he had received, he unfortunately identified himself.  Heilemann’s stunned colleague figured out what had happened and immediately informed the secret police.  The Gestapo did not want to risk further warnings to other members of the group and Harro Schulze-Boysen was arrested on August 31, 1942.  Convicted by a military court, he was hanged in Plotzensee Prison, Berlin, December 22, 1942 Libertas Schulze-Boysen Libertas Shulze-Boysen was in the unique position of having access to film footage that was used by the propaganda ministry.  She was able to produce photographic copies of atrocities that were being committed against Jews and others on the Eastern Front.  Unsuccessful attempts were made to get this information to the West.  She was guillotined in Plotzensee Prison, Berlin, December 22, 1942, one hour after her husband was hanged. Mildred Harnack, May, 1938, courtesy of Eric D. Carlson]]>2148falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/george-smith-anthony-and-the-voyage-of-the-catalpa--69653693
In 1874, rebel leader John Devoy received another letter from Fenian prisoner James Wilson that he chose to read aloud at a national meeting of the Clan Na Gael.  Part of it read:      “Think that we have been nine years in this living tomb since our        first arrest and it is impossible for mind and body to withstand the        continual strain that is upon them.  One or the other must give way        …We think that if you forsake us, then we are friendless indeed.” This missive, the “Letter From the Tomb”, compelled the Clan to understand that to rescue the military Fenians was their moral imperative.  Devoy was officially urged to devise a plan of escape and he immediately proceeded to Boston and a meeting with John O’Reilly, the only man ever to successfully escape from an Australian penal colony.  O’Reilly was still in touch with members of the New Bedford, Massachusetts whaling community, including some of the former members of the crew of the Gazelle.  This close knit group quickly sold Devoy on the idea that any rescue attempt should also try to fund itself by engaging in a legitimate whaling expedition.  They also agreed that there was only one man for the job, Captain George Smith Anthony. The S. S. Catalpa Recruiting Anthony was merely a start.  Devoy, O’Reilly and Richardson began to scour New England for a suitable ship.  Although the Clan Na Gael had secretly raised some money from a national base of contributors they were still short of the purchase price of an appropriate vessel.  It took Richardson fronting thousands of dollars and another Clan Na Gael member, James Reynolds, mortgaging his home to provide the funding for the purchase of the ”Catalpa”, a ninety foot merchant ship that had recently returned from the West Indies.  In March of 1875, the ship was towed to New Bedford where Captain Anthony could personally supervise its repairs and reworking as a whaler. By the end of April, a twenty-two man crew had been selected with only one man, Dennis Duggan, aware of the true mission of the Catalpa.  Duggan, Irish, was also a carpenter by trade so he would not arouse the suspicions of customs officials about any atypical crew aboard a whaler.  On April 30, 1875, Captain George Anthony raised anchor in New Bedford and began the first leg of the mission to rescue the six Irish rebels. Fremantle Prison today. In January of 1868, after three months at sea, their prison ship reached western Australia.  On the tenth, it dropped anchor in Fremantle and the prisoners were transported to the jetty at Victoria Quay.  From there they marched through the town to the Fremantle Gaol, a forbidding stone edifice with a practically medieval appearance.  Nicknamed “The Establishment” this prison confined over three thousand human beings,  fifteen per cent of the western region’s twenty thousand inhabitants.  Escape was considered impossible.  If a convict even made it outside of the walls of Fremantle Gaol, he would have to circumvent thousands of miles of shark infested ocean or an equally lengthy trek through the desert like conditions of the Australian bush country.  He would  probably die of thirst before aboriginal trackers found him and dragged him back to be hanged in the prison yard.  The military members of the Fenian group were placed in one man cells that were three feet wide, seven feet long and nine feet high.  Here they were doomed to service on a work gang, eventual death and burial in an unmarked grave along some Australian road.    ]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=42Mon, 22 Jun 2015 00:52:52 +0000Philip D. GibbonsCaptain George Smith Anthony and The Voyage of the SS Catalpa http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/captain-anthony.jpgIn 1874, rebel leader John Devoy received another letter from Fenian prisoner James Wilson that he chose to...
In 1874, rebel leader John Devoy received another letter from Fenian prisoner James Wilson that he chose to read aloud at a national meeting of the Clan Na Gael.  Part of it read:      “Think that we have been nine years in this living tomb since our        first arrest and it is impossible for mind and body to withstand the        continual strain that is upon them.  One or the other must give way        …We think that if you forsake us, then we are friendless indeed.” This missive, the “Letter From the Tomb”, compelled the Clan to understand that to rescue the military Fenians was their moral imperative.  Devoy was officially urged to devise a plan of escape and he immediately proceeded to Boston and a meeting with John O’Reilly, the only man ever to successfully escape from an Australian penal colony.  O’Reilly was still in touch with members of the New Bedford, Massachusetts whaling community, including some of the former members of the crew of the Gazelle.  This close knit group quickly sold Devoy on the idea that any rescue attempt should also try to fund itself by engaging in a legitimate whaling expedition.  They also agreed that there was only one man for the job, Captain George Smith Anthony. The S. S. Catalpa Recruiting Anthony was merely a start.  Devoy, O’Reilly and Richardson began to scour New England for a suitable ship.  Although the Clan Na Gael had secretly raised some money from a national base of contributors they were still short of the purchase price of an appropriate vessel.  It took Richardson fronting thousands of dollars and another Clan Na Gael member, James Reynolds, mortgaging his home to provide the funding for the purchase of the ”Catalpa”, a ninety foot merchant ship that had recently returned from the West Indies.  In March of 1875, the ship was towed to New Bedford where Captain Anthony could personally supervise its repairs and reworking as a whaler. By the end of April, a twenty-two man crew had been selected with only one man, Dennis Duggan, aware of the true mission of the Catalpa.  Duggan, Irish, was also a carpenter by trade so he would not arouse the suspicions of customs officials about any atypical crew aboard a whaler.  On April 30, 1875, Captain George Anthony raised anchor in New Bedford and began the first leg of the mission to rescue the six Irish rebels. Fremantle Prison today. In January of 1868, after three months at sea, their prison ship reached western Australia.  On the tenth, it dropped anchor in Fremantle and the prisoners were transported to the jetty at Victoria Quay.  From there they marched through the town to the Fremantle Gaol, a forbidding stone edifice with a practically medieval appearance.  Nicknamed “The Establishment” this prison confined over three thousand human beings,  fifteen per cent of the western region’s twenty thousand inhabitants.  Escape was considered impossible.  If a convict even made it outside of the walls of Fremantle Gaol, he would have to circumvent thousands of miles of shark infested ocean or an equally lengthy trek through the desert like conditions of the Australian bush country.  He would  probably die of thirst before aboriginal trackers found him and dragged him back to be hanged in the prison yard.  The military members of the Fenian group were placed in one man cells that were three feet wide, seven feet long and nine feet high.  Here they were doomed to service on a work gang, eventual death and burial in an unmarked grave along some Australian road.    ]]>2433falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/john-paul-jones-american-admiral-volume-1-podcast-1--69653629John Paul Jones Considered a hero of the American Revolution, John Paul Jones was born in Scotland, carried out most of his naval exploits in the British Isles and died in Paris.  His most famous encounter, a victory over the British warship, HMS Serapis, took place off of the coast of Yorkshire, England, thousands of miles from the American colonies. Artist's rendition of the Bon Homme Richard vs. HMS Serapis. It is now a matter of historical debate as to when or even if John Paul Jones actually uttered the famous phrase “I have not yet begun to fight”.  But if there ever was a moment for him to say it, now was the time.  Some of his crew members, fully aware of the damage done below, unlocked the dozens of British prisoners on the verge of drowning in the hold, clambered on to the deck and not seeing the captain began to shout for quarter from the other side.  Paul Jones was intent on knocking down the Serapis’ main mast with his personally manned nine pound gun.  Upon hearing his own crew attempting to surrender he first tried to shoot at them with an unloaded pistol and then hurled it as the startled sailors fled below deck.  Knowing his fate to be either imprisonment or even the noose, the captain had clearly adopted a much more modern outlook.  Failure was not an option.  Hearing the commotion, Pearson asked if the American ship had struck.  Most likely Paul Jones’ response was not as theatrical as chronicled but he certainly made it clear that he would rather sink than surrender. Plaque in front of the building on the Rue de Tournon, Paris where Jones died. The American ambassador, Gouverneur Morris, found John Paul Jones to be a tiresome pest.  However, when he received a message in July of 1792 that Paul Jones was gravely ill he proceeded to the captain’s rented apartment on the Rue de Tournon.  There he had Paul Jones compose a modest will and hastily left for a dinner engagement.  When he returned later that evening he found John Paul Jones dead, face down on his bed, his legs in a kneeling position on the floor.  He curtly informed Paul Jones’ landlord that the deceased should be buried as modestly as possible, most likely because he feared that he personally would be stuck with the bill.  Luckily, officials of the French government became aware of the naval hero’s demise and incredulous at the ambassador’s response, took charge of John Paul Jones’ burial. John Paul Jones sarcophagus, in the crypt of the US Naval Academy Chapel. John Paul Jones languished in obscurity for over one hundred years.  As the city of Paris expanded, it covered over the small cemetery with full fledged urban dwellings.  It took a determined American ambassador and the patriotic fervor of President Theodore Roosevelt to congressionally underwrite an archeological dig.  This needle in a haystack proposition at least had the knowledge that Paul Jones’ undertakers, presuming that eventually America would come calling, buried him in a lead coffin, sealed in alcohol.  It took five years and the exhumation of dozens of graves but, in 1906, when his coffin was opened, John Paul Jones was so well preserved that his face was instantly recognizable.  Dimensions from the Houdon sculpture confirmed his identity and following an autopsy that attributed his death to a combination of kidney failure and pneumonia, John Paul Jones began the lengthy journey back to his adopted homeland.  His casket, now encased in polished wood and the American flag, was paraded through the streets of Paris, accompanied by hundreds of American and French military personnel.  Transported to Cherbourg, it was loaded on to the USS Brooklyn and accompanied on its transatlantic voyage by a flotilla that swelled to eleven warships by the time it reached the Chesapeake Bay.  It would take seven more years to construct a suitable repository for the mortal remains of John Paul Jones, appropriate for a man who spent much of his career impeded by the indecision of others. Houdon marble bust of Jones, crypt at the Naval Academy.  ]]>http://www.bytesizedbiographies.com/?p=111Mon, 08 Jun 2015 22:48:22 +0000Philip D. GibbonsJohn Paul Jones, Admiral and Patriot John Paul Jones Considered a hero of the American Revolution, John Paul Jones was born in Scotland, carried out most of his naval exploits in the British Isles and died in Paris.  His most famous encounter, a...John Paul Jones Considered a hero of the American Revolution, John Paul Jones was born in Scotland, carried out most of his naval exploits in the British Isles and died in Paris.  His most famous encounter, a victory over the British warship, HMS Serapis, took place off of the coast of Yorkshire, England, thousands of miles from the American colonies. Artist's rendition of the Bon Homme Richard vs. HMS Serapis. It is now a matter of historical debate as to when or even if John Paul Jones actually uttered the famous phrase “I have not yet begun to fight”.  But if there ever was a moment for him to say it, now was the time.  Some of his crew members, fully aware of the damage done below, unlocked the dozens of British prisoners on the verge of drowning in the hold, clambered on to the deck and not seeing the captain began to shout for quarter from the other side.  Paul Jones was intent on knocking down the Serapis’ main mast with his personally manned nine pound gun.  Upon hearing his own crew attempting to surrender he first tried to shoot at them with an unloaded pistol and then hurled it as the startled sailors fled below deck.  Knowing his fate to be either imprisonment or even the noose, the captain had clearly adopted a much more modern outlook.  Failure was not an option.  Hearing the commotion, Pearson asked if the American ship had struck.  Most likely Paul Jones’ response was not as theatrical as chronicled but he certainly made it clear that he would rather sink than surrender. Plaque in front of the building on the Rue de Tournon, Paris where Jones died. The American ambassador, Gouverneur Morris, found John Paul Jones to be a tiresome pest.  However, when he received a message in July of 1792 that Paul Jones was gravely ill he proceeded to the captain’s rented apartment on the Rue de Tournon.  There he had Paul Jones compose a modest will and hastily left for a dinner engagement.  When he returned later that evening he found John Paul Jones dead, face down on his bed, his legs in a kneeling position on the floor.  He curtly informed Paul Jones’ landlord that the deceased should be buried as modestly as possible, most likely because he feared that he personally would be stuck with the bill.  Luckily, officials of the French government became aware of the naval hero’s demise and incredulous at the ambassador’s response, took charge of John Paul Jones’ burial. John Paul Jones sarcophagus, in the crypt of the US Naval Academy Chapel. John Paul Jones languished in obscurity for over one hundred years.  As the city of Paris expanded, it covered over the small cemetery with full fledged urban dwellings.  It took a determined American ambassador and the patriotic fervor of President Theodore Roosevelt to congressionally underwrite an archeological dig.  This needle in a haystack proposition at least had the knowledge that Paul Jones’ undertakers, presuming that eventually America would come calling, buried him in a lead coffin, sealed in alcohol.  It took five years and the exhumation of dozens of graves but, in 1906, when his coffin was opened, John Paul Jones was so well preserved that his face was instantly recognizable.  Dimensions from the Houdon sculpture confirmed his identity and following an autopsy that attributed his death to a combination of kidney failure and pneumonia, John Paul Jones began the lengthy...]]>2785falsefull