Melvin Purvis: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Person | name =Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr. | image =Melvin Purvis.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1903|10|24}} | birth_place = | death_date = {{Death date and age|1960|2|29|1903|10|24}} | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | residence = | nationality = | other_names = | known_for = | education = | employer = | occupation = | title = | salary = | networth = | height = | weight = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | boards = | religion = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | relatives = | signature = | website = | footnotes = }} |
{{Infobox Person | name =Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr. | image =Melvin Purvis.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1903|10|24}} | birth_place = | death_date = {{Death date and age|1960|2|29|1903|10|24}} | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | residence = | nationality = | other_names = | known_for = | education = | employer = | occupation = | title = | salary = | networth = | height = | weight = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | boards = | religion = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | relatives = | signature = | website = | footnotes = }} |
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'''Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr.''' ([[October 24]], [[1903]] – [[February 29]], [[1960]]) was an [[United States of America|American]] lawman and [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] agent. He had the nickname "Little Mel."<ref>"[http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/outlaws/dillinger/1.html The John Dillinger Story: Little Bohemia]." ''[[Crime Library]]''.</ref> |
'''Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr.''' ([[October 24]], [[1903]] – [[February 29]], [[1960]]) was an [[United States of America|American]] lawman and [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] agent. He had the nickname "Little Mel."<ref>"[http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/outlaws/dillinger/1.html The John Dillinger Story: Little Bohemia]." ''[[Crime Library]]''.</ref> |
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Purvis resigned from the FBI in [[1935]] and afterward practiced law. He married and had three sons, and bought a radio station in [[Florence, South Carolina]]. During [[World War II]] he served in the [[United States Army|army]] as a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]]. |
Purvis resigned from the FBI in [[1935]] and afterward practiced law. He married and had three sons, and bought a radio station in [[Florence, South Carolina]]. During [[World War II]] he served in the [[United States Army|army]] as a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]]. |
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On [[February 29]], [[1960]], while at his home in Florence, Melvin Purvis died from a shot fired from the gun given to him by fellow agents when he resigned from the FBI. The FBI investigated the shooting and labeled it a [[suicide]]. His doctor said he had been depressed over his ill health.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Purvis Suicide in Carolina Home. F.B.I. Agent Trapped Dillinger; Lawyer, 56, Was in Ill Health -- Led Men in Killing of Pretty Boy Floyd. |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50D1EFF355C16738DDDA80894DB405B808AF1D3 |quote=Melvin Purvis, who was special agent in charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation when John Dillinger was trapped and slain, committed suicide today. |publisher=[[Associated Press]] in [[New York Times]] |date=[[March 1]], [[1960]] |accessdate=2008-04-20 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Purvis, FBI Gang War Leader, Takes Own Life. Former G-Man Depressed and Suffering Poor Health, Doctor Tells Authorities. |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/446209772.html?dids=446209772:446209772&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Mar+01%2C+1960&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Purvis%2C+FBI+Gang+War+Leader%2C+Takes+Own+Life&pqatl=google |quote=Melvin Purvis, whose FBI teams shot down John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd in bloody gangster cleanups of the 1930s. died by his own hand today. |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=[[March 1]], [[1960]] |accessdate=2008-04-20 }}</ref> Later determined that Purvis may have shot himself accidentally while trying to extract a [[tracer bullet]] jammed in the pistol.<ref>{{cite web |
On [[February 29]], [[1960]], while at his home in Florence, Melvin Purvis died from a shot fired from the gun given to him by fellow agents when he resigned from the FBI. The FBI investigated the shooting and labeled it a [[suicide]]. His doctor said he had been depressed over his ill health.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Purvis Suicide in Carolina Home. F.B.I. Agent Trapped Dillinger; Lawyer, 56, Was in Ill Health -- Led Men in Killing of Pretty Boy Floyd. |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50D1EFF355C16738DDDA80894DB405B808AF1D3 |quote=Melvin Purvis, who was special agent in charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation when John Dillinger was trapped and slain, committed suicide today. |publisher=[[Associated Press]] in [[New York Times]] |date=[[March 1]], [[1960]] |accessdate=2008-04-20 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Purvis, FBI Gang War Leader, Takes Own Life. Former G-Man Depressed and Suffering Poor Health, Doctor Tells Authorities. |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/446209772.html?dids=446209772:446209772&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Mar+01%2C+1960&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Purvis%2C+FBI+Gang+War+Leader%2C+Takes+Own+Life&pqatl=google |quote=Melvin Purvis, whose FBI teams shot down John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd in bloody gangster cleanups of the 1930s. died by his own hand today. |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=[[March 1]], [[1960]] |accessdate=2008-04-20 }}</ref> Later determined that Purvis may have shot himself accidentally while trying to extract a [[tracer bullet]] jammed in the pistol.<ref>{{cite web |
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| title = People & Events: Melvin Purvis, 1903-1960 |
| title = People & Events: Melvin Purvis, 1903-1960 |
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| quote = In 1960, he died at his home in South Carolina, killed by a shot from the .45 automatic that his fellow agents gave him when he resigned. Although the FBI labeled the death a suicide, it was later determined that Purvis may have been trying to remove a tracer bullet that was stuck in the pistol. |
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| work = Public Enemy #1 |
| work = Public Enemy #1 |
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| publisher = PBS; American Experience |
| publisher = PBS; American Experience |
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| first = Claire |
| first = Claire |
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| title = War on Crime: Bandits, G-Men, and the Politics of Mass Culture |
| title = War on Crime: Bandits, G-Men, and the Politics of Mass Culture |
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| publisher = Rutgers University Press |
| publisher = Rutgers University Press |
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| date = 1998 |
| date = 1998 |
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| id = ISBN 0-8135-2487-3 |
| id = ISBN 0-8135-2487-3 |
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Revision as of 17:29, 20 April 2008
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2008) |
Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| File:Melvin Purvis.jpg | |
| Born | October 24, 1903 |
| Died | February 29, 1960 (aged 56) |
| Cause of death | Apparent suicide |
| Employer | FBI |
Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr. (October 24, 1903 – February 29, 1960) was an American lawman and FBI agent. He had the nickname "Little Mel."[1]
Born in Timmonsville, South Carolina, Melvin Purvis joined the fledgling FBI in 1927 after a brief career as a lawyer. He served until 1935 and captured more public enemies than any other agent in FBI history, a record that still stands.[citation needed] In 1934, this young FBI agent was named as one of the most admired men in the United States.[citation needed]
Melvin Purvis led the manhunts that tracked such outlaws as Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd, but he is best remembered for leading the manhunt for John Dillinger, which ended in Chicago on July 22, 1934. Waiting outside the air-conditioned Biograph Theater on a hot summer night, Purvis called out to the famous outlaw, "Stick 'em up, Johnny." Dillinger was shot dead by FBI agents, supposedly going for his gun, though some dispute this since Dillinger did not have a gun and was shot three times in the back as he ran. [citation needed] If true, this would be consistent with the story that Purvis ordered Pretty Boy Floyd shot as he lay wounded. Chester Smith, the sniper who shot Floyd, claimed in a 1979 interview that he only wounded Pretty Boy and that Melvin Purvis ordered him shot after questioning him about the Kansas City Massacre.[2]
Purvis was given great acclaim for his actions[3] and reportedly incurred the wrath of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who had previously praised him. Many have said Hoover was jealous of the attention given to Purvis after Dillinger was killed.
Purvis resigned from the FBI in 1935 and afterward practiced law. He married and had three sons, and bought a radio station in Florence, South Carolina. During World War II he served in the army as a colonel.
On February 29, 1960, while at his home in Florence, South Carolina, Melvin Purvis died from a shot fired from the gun given to him by fellow agents when he resigned from the FBI. The FBI investigated the shooting and labeled it a suicide. His doctor said he had been depressed over his ill health.[4][5] Later determined that Purvis may have shot himself accidentally while trying to extract a tracer bullet jammed in the pistol.[6] He was 56 years old.
Other media
- In the 1973 film Dillinger, Purvis was portrayed by Ben Johnson.
- In the 1974 TV movie, Melvin Purvis, G-man, Purvis was played by Dale Robertson
- In the 1991 TV movie Dillinger, Purvis was portrayed by actor Will Patton.
- In the upcoming 2008 movie Public Enemies directed by Michael Mann he will be played by Christian Bale.
References
- ^ "The John Dillinger Story: Little Bohemia." Crime Library.
- ^
"Blasting A G-Man Myth". Time (magazine). September 24, 1979.
Then, said Smith, Purvis ran up and ordered: 'Back away from that man. I want to talk to him.' Pretty Boy glared and cursed. At which point, said Smith, Purvis turned to G-Man Herman Hollis and said: 'Fire into him.' Hollis obeyed, said Smith, killing Floyd with a burst from a tommy gun.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Melvin Purvis acting as spokesman for Dodge automobiles, Good Housekeeping magazine, April 1936.
- ^ "Purvis Suicide in Carolina Home. F.B.I. Agent Trapped Dillinger; Lawyer, 56, Was in Ill Health -- Led Men in Killing of Pretty Boy Floyd". Associated Press in New York Times. March 1, 1960. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
Melvin Purvis, who was special agent in charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation when John Dillinger was trapped and slain, committed suicide today.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Purvis, FBI Gang War Leader, Takes Own Life. Former G-Man Depressed and Suffering Poor Health, Doctor Tells Authorities". Los Angeles Times. March 1, 1960. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
Melvin Purvis, whose FBI teams shot down John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd in bloody gangster cleanups of the 1930s. died by his own hand today.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "People & Events: Melvin Purvis, 1903-1960". Public Enemy #1. PBS; American Experience.
In 1960, he died at his home in South Carolina, killed by a shot from the .45 automatic that his fellow agents gave him when he resigned. Although the FBI labeled the death a suicide, it was later determined that Purvis may have been trying to remove a tracer bullet that was stuck in the pistol.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
Further Reading
- Purvis, Melvin (1938). American Agent. Garden City Publishing Co.
- Potter, Claire (1998). War on Crime: Bandits, G-Men, and the Politics of Mass Culture. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-2487-3.
- Alston Purvis (2005). The Vendetta. Public Affairs. ISBN 1-58648-301-3.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)