Origins & Early Life

Lester Joseph Gillis (December 6, 1908 – November 27, 1934), also known as George Nelson and Baby Face Nelson, was an American bank robber who became a criminal partner of John Dillinger when he helped Dillinger escape from prison in Crown Point, Indiana. Later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that Nelson and the remaining gang of bank robbers were collectively "Public Enemy Number One". The "Baby Face Nelson" nickname derived from Gillis being a short man with a youthful appearance; however, in the professional realm, Gillis's fellow criminals addressed him as "Jimmy". A violent bank robber, Lester Joseph Gillis has killed more FBI agents than any other criminal.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

FBI agents fatally wounded Baby Face Nelson in the Battle of Barrington, fought in a suburb of Chicago. Nelson was born Lester Joseph Gillis, a son of Flemish Belgian immigrants on December 6, 1908, in Chicago, Illinois. He was arrested on July 4, 1921, at the age of twelve, after he accidentally shot a playmate in the jaw with a pistol that he had found. He served over a year in the state reformatory. By the time he met his future wife Helen...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Maslow — Contemporary (Born in 1908) (1908): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• Bette Davis — Contemporary (Born in 1908) (1908): Iconic Hollywood actress known for intense, unsympathetic, and sardonic performances.
• Butch Cassidy — Contemporary (Died in 1908) (1908): Iconic American outlaw, leader of the 'Wild Bunch' in the Old West.
• Alan Arkin — Contemporary (Born in 1934) (1934): Esteemed American actor, filmmaker, and musician with a seven-decade career.
• Bill Russell — Contemporary (Born in 1934) (1934): Center for the Boston Celtics, a 12-time champion and basketball legend.
• Bonnie and Clyde — Contemporary (Died in 1934) (1934): Infamous outlaw couple who robbed banks and murdered during the Great Depression.
• Afonso I of Portugal — Shared historical date (12-06 · Died) (1185): The first King of Portugal, founder of the independent Portuguese Kingdom.
• Alicia Machado — Shared historical date (12-06 · Born) (1976): Venezuelan-American star known for beauty pageants, acting, and singing.
• Ada Lovelace — Shared historical date (11-27 · Died) (1852): Pioneering mathematician recognized as the first computer programmer.
• Alexander Dubček — Shared historical date (11-27 · Born) (1921): Slovak statesman known for leading the Prague Spring and advocating 'Socialism with a human face'.
• 1908 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1908
• December 6 (12-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 6
• 1934 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1934
• November 27 (11-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 27