Robert Stroud was born on January 28, 1890, in Seattle, Washington. His childhood was far from happy, as he ran away from home at the young age of 13 to escape his abusive alcoholic father. Without a stable family to support him, Stroud fell into a life of crime at an early age, eventually leading to his imprisonment.
At the age of 18, Stroud was imprisoned for stabbing a man to death. Throughout his time in prison, Stroud proved himself to be a violent and dangerous individual, earning a reputation as a threat to everyone around him. As a result, he was placed in solitary confinement at Leavenworth maximum security prison for 42 years of his 54-year sentence.
Despite his violent past, Stroud found solace in caring for and raising birds. It all began when he found an injured bird in the prison exercise yard and nursed it back to health. From there, Stroud's passion for birds only grew, and he went on to raise over 300 canaries during his time in prison. He even authored several books about his findings, though the warden refused to let him publish them.
Stroud's story gained widespread recognition when it was adapted into the 1962 film "Birdman of Alcatraz," with Burt Lancaster portraying him. The film was based on a book by the same name, highlighting Stroud's unique relationship with birds and his time in prison. Interestingly, Stroud himself was never allowed to see the film, further highlighting the restrictions placed upon him during his incarceration.
Robert Stroud's legacy as the Birdman of Alcatraz lives on, showcasing his unexpected passion for caring for vulnerable creatures despite his violent past. His story serves as a reminder of the complexity of human nature and the capacity for redemption, even in the darkest of circumstances.