Byte Sized Biographies…

The 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 Smithsonian Lindbergh and his plane, mobbed at Croyden, England, 1927 Anne Morrow Lindbergh The former Lindbergh Estate in Hopewell, New Jersey, now a state f...

The 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 garage Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr., New Jersey State Police, father of subsequent Desert Storm commander. Lindbergh in the Pacific, 1944 Charles and Anne Lind...

In 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 photo, Sears Crossing Bridge #127, Bridego Bridge Ronnie Biggs, mug shot Ronnie Biggs, Bruce Reynolds and their sons

In 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 Farm Judge Edmund Davies, entering court Plaque at Crewe railroad station commemorating Jack Mills and David Whitby Charmain Biggs, in later years Gord...

Acclaimed 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 Ebeneezer Scrooge and Marley's ghost, A Christmas Carol Grip, the Raven. Barnaby Rudge Freddy Bartholomew, in the original MGM version of David Copperfirld...

Acclaimed 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 Gerorgina Hogarth and Dickens daughter, Mamie Charles Dickens, in hat, with family Grave of Charles Dickens, Westminster Abbey Catherine Dickens and daught...

The 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 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,...

The 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 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 Plymout...

Long 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 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...

Long 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 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...

The 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 photo, 1957 Carson with Ed McMahon, shortly after their Tonight Show stint began Carson, early years of the Tonight Show

The 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 show, married his longtime girlfriend, Joanne Carson.  This despite years of fighting publicly, acrimonious vacations in which one of them left and went home...

The 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 should do next.  Typically, a subject with Bernie’s sophistication and community stature would refuse to answer questions and stall, at least requesting...

The 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 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...

Long 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 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...

Long 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 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 deliberatel...

In 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 and nutrition forever. Ray Kroc, in the twenties Ray Kroc first interacted with Prince Castle as the Chicago based account manager for Lily-Tulip and s...

In 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 and nutrition forever. Joan Kroc Despite four decades and many years of dealing with a virtual absentee husband and serious anxiety over their househol...

In 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 political powers ruled by monarchies, the best method of insuring a stable alliance with another ruling dynasty was through marriage.  Maria Theresa aggressive...

In 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 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 th...

An 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 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 ev...

An 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 Goliad.  Fannin’s men successfully repulsed repeated Mexican attacks but suffered many wounded troops that they could neither treat or transport.  The following mor...

The 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 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...

The 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 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 fo...

For 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 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 cri...