Bio

Robert Franklin Stroud was born on January 28, 1890, in Seattle, Washington. He was the first child of Elizabeth and Ben Stroud. Elizabeth had two daughters from a previous marriage. Later, Robert's family grew to include another son named Marcus, who was born in 1897. The Stroud family struggled because of Ben's alcoholism. He often abused his wife and children. Robert was deeply affected by this and developed a strong dislike for his father.

At age 13, Robert ran away from home. He took off on a journey across America. Without a formal education, he worked at small jobs to support himself. When he turned 17, he briefly returned home. The family had improved financially, but the relationship between his parents was still strained.

In the summer of 1908, Robert moved to Alaska for work. He got a job with a railroad gang and later met Kitty O'Brien, a dance-hall entertainer. Their relationship began, and the couple eventually moved to Juneau together. Robert hoped this new location would bring better opportunities. Unfortunately, their life took a dark turn.

On January 18, 1909, while Robert was away, Kitty was attacked by a man named F.K. "Charlie" Von Dahmer. When Robert learned what had happened, he confronted Von Dahmer. This confrontation ended in violence, and Robert shot him. He turned himself in to the police and was later tried for manslaughter. On August 23, 1909, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison on McNeil Island, a federal penitentiary in Washington State.

Prison life was difficult for Robert. He quickly became known for his violent behavior. He got involved in multiple altercations with fellow inmates and prison staff. In 1912, he was transferred to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas. There, he continued to struggle with his temper and was further involved in violent incidents.

In 1916, Robert was involved in a fatal incident with a prison guard named Andrew F. Turner. After feeling disrespected, Robert stabbed Turner to death in front of many witnesses. After this incident, Robert faced multiple trials and was eventually sentenced to death. His mother worked tirelessly to save him, and in 1920, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

Stroud spent many years in Leavenworth, where he developed a keen interest in birds after finding injured sparrows in the exercise yard. His fascination led him to a career caring for and studying canaries. His reputation as a bird expert grew, and he authored books on caring for birds.

In 1942, Robert was transferred to Alcatraz, a maximum-security prison. Despite being known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz," he was unable to keep birds there. Stroud continued to write and study, but he remained in prison for the rest of his life. After numerous health challenges, he passed away on November 21, 1963, at the age of 73.

Murder Story

Robert Franklin Stroud, known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz," committed two notable murders during his life. The first was on January 18, 1909, in Juneau, Alaska. Stroud shot and killed a bartender named F. K. "Charlie" Von Dahmer. Stroud claimed the bartender had attacked his girlfriend, prompting him to confront Von Dahmer. The confrontation escalated, leading to the shooting. After the incident, Stroud turned himself in to the authorities.

Stroud was tried for this crime. On August 23, 1909, he was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He spent time at McNeil Island, where he was known for his violent behavior. He would assault prison staff and fellow inmates, leading to an extended stay in prison.

On March 26, 1916, Stroud committed his second murder at the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas. He killed a prison guard named Andrew F. Turner after being reprimanded for a minor infraction that could have cost him a chance to see his brother. In a fit of rage, Stroud stabbed Turner to death in front of many witnesses, including over a thousand inmates.

Stroud was initially sentenced to death by hanging for this murder, but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment without parole by President Woodrow Wilson in 1920. Stroud remained a violent figure in prison, leading to his placement in solitary confinement and later a transfer to Alcatraz, where he spent many years until his death in 1963.