Owney Madden

Owen Vincent "Owney" Madden (18 December 1891 – 24 April 1965) was a leading underworld figure in Manhattan, most notable for his involvement in organized crime during Prohibition in the United States. He also ran the famous Cotton Club and was a leading boxing promoter in the 1930s.

Early life

Madden was born into a working-class family in Leeds, England. His family moved to New York City in the early 1900s. As a teenager, he became involved in gangs that were prevalent in the city at the time, eventually becoming a member of the Gopher Gang.

Criminal career

In the early 1900s, Madden began his criminal career by burglarizing local businesses. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Gopher Gang, eventually becoming one of its leaders. During Prohibition, Madden became involved in bootlegging and ran a number of speakeasies, including the famous Cotton Club.

Later life and death

After serving a number of prison sentences, Madden retired from crime in the 1930s and moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he became a respected member of the community. He died in 1965.

Legacy

Despite his criminal past, Madden is remembered as a significant figure in the history of organized crime in the United States. His life has been the subject of several books and films, and he is often associated with the romanticized image of the Roaring Twenties.

See also

• Prohibition in the United States
• Organized crime
• Cotton Club

External links

• Biography of Owney Madden

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