Thomas e gladdis biography wife

Thomas Eugene Gaddis September 14, — October 10, was an American writer most noted for his biography , Birdman of Alcatraz , about convicted murderer Robert Stroud. It was adapted as a film of the same name, starring Burt Lancaster. Born in Denver, Colorado , Gaddis attended local schools before college. In his early career, Gaddis served seven years as a Los Angeles probation officer and taught adult classes at night school for around 12 years.

He wrote Birdman of Alcatraz , for which he was well-known. Long, about serial killer Carl Panzram. Gaddis published Birdman of Alcatraz in It is considered one of the nation's notable prison biographies. He explored the life of Robert Stroud , a grandson of a federal judge. Stroud was convicted of murder in Alaska and first sentenced to Leavenworth Federal prison in Kansas.

Thomas Eugene Gaddis (September 14, –

After stabbing a guard to death in prison, Stroud was sentenced to life imprisonment in solitary confinement. While in solitary in Leavenworth, Stroud became an expert on birds. He cared for them in his cell and learned independently about how to treat their diseases. Gaddis's book was loosely adapted as the film Birdman of Alcatraz , starring Burt Lancaster as Stroud.

Gaddis was portrayed by Edmond O'Brien. Later in life, Gaddis worked as an educator at Reed College from to , as well as a court consultant and psychologist , in addition to writing. Gaddis died in Portland, Oregon , on October 10, , at age