Dillinger, John

American outlaw John Dillinger (1903–34) was a controversial bank robber and desperado during [Page 464]the 1930s Depression. His uncanny ability to escape the clutches of the law—while apparently demonstrating coolness under fire, ingenuity, defiance, and an unfailing sense of humor—won him many admirers, especially among those who had become economic victims of untrustworthy banks. On the other hand, most law enforcement officials regarded Dillinger as a bloodthirsty criminal with no redeeming qualities. Dillinger's sudden death and alleged betrayal by a mysterious woman have ...