Al Capone Biography 

American gangster Al Capone remains one of the most noted criminal figures in history. His reign as “public enemy number one” in the Chicago area prompted innumerable depictions of his life in literature, film, and television.

Alphonse Gabriel Capone was born January 17, 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Gabriele Capone and Teresina Railoa, a barber and seamstress respectively. Both his parents were of Italian descent. Born into a full household, Capone was one of nine children. For a short time, the family lived in Canada before they settled in downtown Brooklyn.

Troubled from the get-go, Capone was expelled from the sixth grade at the age of fourteen after allegedly punching one of his school teachers. Done with school, Capone was forced to start finding work. His choices were obviously limited, and as such, he worked everywhere from a candy store to a bowling alley.

Capone quickly became involved in lower level gangs before joining the Five Points Gang where he found employment as a bouncer. Noted gangster Frankie Yale was his boss. It was in this profession that Capone received his infamous nickname “Scarface.”

While working as a bouncer, he unintentionally insulted a woman and found himself in a fight with her brother, Frank Gallucio. He received three knife slashes to his face. Capone later passed off the scars as war wounds. (Interestingly, once Capone rose in the ranks, he eventually hired Gallucio as his bodyguard.)

Establishing a personal life, Capone married Mae Josephine Coughlin on December 30, 1918. Prior to their marriage, they had a son, Albert Francis Capone. The family relocated to Chicago sometime around 1920. Capone moved to enter the bootlegging industry with his self-professed mentor Johnny Torrio. Just one year later, he was the manager of the Four Deuces, a noted brothel and speakeasy.

His notoriety truly emerged, however, in 1925 when he took over control of Torrio’s crime business. The changeup was prompted by an assassination attempt on Torrio. Capone’s increased influence in the Chicago area came with an increase in yearly earnings from his illegal doings, estimated in the millions.

A flashy lifestyle quickly incurred rivalry, most notably from Dean OBanion, Bugs Moran, and Earl Weiss (also known as Hymie Weiss). Beginning in the 1920s, there were several assassination attempts on Capone.

Capone remains known for the notorious St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929 wherein seven rival gang members were slaughtered in Lincoln Park.

His downfall was precipitated by his conviction on counts of tax evasion. He was pursued by US Prohibition agents known as “The Untouchables.” Led by Eliot Ness, the team was immortalized by Brian De Palma’s 1987 film starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia, and Robert De Niro.

Capone’s conviction led to a six and a half year stint in federal prison and large fines.

Trying to shake the gangster stigma, Capone made many attempts during his life to improve his image. He opened up many soup kitchens, for example, during the Depression. He is also noted for offering musicians such as Louis Armstrong the opportunity to play in his various speakeasies. The Cotton Club, in particular, attracted acts like Bing Crosby and Charlie Parker.

His time spent in Alcatraz is especially well-known and documented.

He died January 25, 1947 from complications related to syphilis.