Regarded as one of America’s most conniving bandits, John Dillinger would become a national icon in an era where criminals were rarely taken alive. Throughout the Great Depression, Dillinger robbed banks that many felt were robbing people of their lives. Through the media, Dillinger would no longer be one of the most deadly criminals in the Midwest, but would be a folk hero who was the Robin Hood of America.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana in the early 1900s meant that the day of cowboys and Native American Indians was nearly over. However, the era of a new type of American criminal was just beginning. By the age of 16, Dillinger had quit school, fell in love, and stole a car out of anger. Following, in order to avoid prosecution, he joined the US Navy and soon deserted his crew. By the age of 20, he had already been arrested for assault and robbery. He pled guilty to the charges and spent ten years in prison, mostly in solitary confinement due to his brash attitude towards other prisoners and guards. John Dillinger’s time in prison didn’t actually rehabilitate him, but instead, taught him better ways of planning, gathering trustworthy men, and following through with bank robberies. The day he left prison, he had already planned his plights, gathered names of fellow bandits, and had a whole new perspective about robbery.

Because he was let go into society during the Great Depression, he would not have found proper employment, so he quickly went back to doing what he did best – wreaking havoc on society and its institutions. With a frustrated American public rooting him on, he became a hero in the national press. This infuriated the FBI and other law enforcement officers who attempted to capture him. And, while he was captured more than once, he would escape thanks to the loyalty of his men. In one instance, Dillinger managed to escape with a carved, wooden gun. With enough money to live, Dillinger attempted to hide out in Chicago. When his whereabouts were discovered, the now infamous Anna Sage, who became the “Lady in Red”, told federal agents of their plans to attend the theater. After the show, Dillinger was gunned down and killed. Some researchers and biographers believe, however, that it was all a ploy to trick agents into thinking Dillinger was dead, when in fact, he went on to live the life of a wealthy man.

• Jesse James
• Al Capone
• Lucky Luciano
• Robin Hood