Eliot Ness

Eliot Ness (April 19, 1903 – May 16, 1957) was an American Prohibition agent, famous for his efforts to enforce Prohibition in Chicago, Illinois, as the leader of a legendary team of law enforcement agents nicknamed The Untouchables.

Early Life

Ness was born in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of five children. He was educated at the University of Chicago, where he majored in business and law.

Career

Ness's career in law enforcement began in 1926 when he was hired by the U.S. Treasury Department. In 1929, he was promoted to the position of Chief Investigator of the Prohibition Bureau in Chicago, where he led a team of agents known as The Untouchables because of their incorruptibility.

Ness's efforts to combat organized crime in Chicago, particularly his pursuit of the notorious gangster Al Capone, made him a national figure. Despite facing numerous threats and attempts on his life, Ness remained committed to his mission and was instrumental in the eventual conviction of Capone for tax evasion in 1931.

After the repeal of Prohibition, Ness worked as the Safety Director for the city of Cleveland, Ohio, where he implemented a series of reforms to modernize and professionalize the city's police department.

Later Life and Legacy

Ness's later years were marked by personal and financial difficulties. He died of a heart attack in 1957 at the age of 54. Despite his challenges, Ness's legacy as a dedicated and incorruptible law enforcement officer endures. His life and career have been the subject of numerous books and films, most notably the 1987 film The Untouchables, in which he was portrayed by Kevin Costner.

See Also

• Prohibition in the United States
• Organized crime
• Al Capone