Charles Bronson, originally named Michael Gordon Peterson, was born on December 6, 1952, in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. He grew up in a respectable family with two brothers. As a child, he was known to be pleasant and likable, but as he grew older, he started getting into trouble. During his school years, he often skipped classes and engaged in petty crimes. More concerning was his growing enjoyment of getting into fights, revealing a violent side.
After leaving school, Peterson found it difficult to maintain steady jobs. He worked in various roles, such as in a supermarket, on construction sites, and as a furniture remover. However, his aggressive nature and quick temper often led to his dismissal. His involvement in crime became more pronounced, with offenses like vandalism and robbery. Despite these activities, he initially faced only fines and probation.
In 1971, at 19, Peterson met Irene Kelsey, and they quickly fell in love, marrying the following year. They had a son, but Peterson soon returned to his criminal ways. In 1974, he was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to seven years in prison. During his time in prison, his marriage ended in divorce, and his violent behavior led to an additional six-year sentence for attacking guards and inmates.
Peterson was considered a dangerous inmate, often placed in solitary confinement and sometimes needing sedation or restraint due to his violent outbursts. He was transferred to a high-security psychiatric ward, where his behavior became even more unpredictable, including rooftop protests and hunger strikes.
Released in 1987 after 13 years, Peterson briefly pursued a career as an illegal bare-knuckle boxer, adopting the name Charles Bronson after the famous actor. However, he quickly returned to crime, robbing a jewelry store and being back in custody within 69 days, receiving another seven-year sentence for armed robbery.
Bronson’s violent behavior persisted in prison, leading to multiple transfers and extended solitary confinement. Released again in 1992, he was soon back in prison for assault and planning another robbery. Despite his violent history, he received a fine instead of prison time for one offense. Just 16 days later, he was arrested again for planning another robbery and illegally possessing a sawn-off shotgun. His behavior escalated, resulting in multiple hostage situations and attacks on prison staff.
In 1999, Bronson took a civilian education officer hostage for 44 hours, causing significant damage to prison property. Authorities eventually deemed him a habitual and violent criminal, leading to a life sentence. Despite a brief period of stability after marrying a Bangladeshi divorcee and converting to her faith, he returned to his violent ways after their divorce in 2005. He has made numerous appeals against his life sentence, all of which have been denied.
In 2014, he legally changed his name to Charles Salvador in honor of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali. Despite his reputation for violent outbursts over four decades, he may never be released from prison. Psychiatrists have debated the reasons behind his behavior, with some attributing it to anger management issues. Behind his violent exterior, Bronson is said to be well-read and highly intelligent. He is a talented artist, award-winning poet, and published author. Recently, instead of resorting to violence over a meal complaint, he filed a formal written complaint to prison authorities.
Research more about Charles Bronson’s life, focusing on his early years, criminal activities, and time in prison. Prepare a presentation that highlights the key events and turning points in his life. Use visuals and timelines to make your presentation engaging and informative.
Participate in a class debate on whether Charles Bronson’s violent behavior was a result of his upbringing and environment (nurture) or his inherent personality traits (nature). Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a thoughtful discussion with your classmates.
Write a fictional diary entry from the perspective of Charles Bronson during a significant moment in his life, such as his first imprisonment or a rooftop protest. Reflect on his thoughts and emotions, and consider how he might have viewed his actions and their consequences.
Explore Charles Bronson’s artistic pursuits by creating your own artwork inspired by his style or themes. Consider how art can be a form of expression and rehabilitation for individuals with troubled pasts. Share your artwork with the class and discuss the role of creativity in personal change.
Engage in a class discussion about the effectiveness of the prison system in rehabilitating individuals like Charles Bronson. Consider alternative approaches to dealing with violent offenders and propose ideas for prison reform that could better address the root causes of criminal behavior.
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[Music][Laughter]
Britain’s most notorious prisoner of the 20th century, Charles Bronson, was born Michael Gordon Peterson on December 6, 1952, in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. He was one of three brothers and came from a respectable family. By all accounts, he was a nice and likable child, but as he grew up, he began to get into trouble. During his school years, he frequently played truant, preferring a life of petty crime. More worryingly, a violent streak started to emerge as he increasingly enjoyed getting into fights.
After leaving school, Peterson struggled to hold down steady employment. He worked various jobs, including in a supermarket, on building sites, and as a furniture remover, but none lasted long due to his abrupt manner and fierce temper. His affinity for crime became evident as he got into trouble for various offenses, including vandalism and robbery. Fortunately for him, he was only fined and given probation each time.
In 1971, at the age of 19, he met Irene Kelsey, and they quickly fell in love and married the following year. They welcomed a baby boy, but soon after, he returned to his old ways. In 1974, he was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to seven years in prison. During his incarceration, Irene divorced him, and he earned an additional six years for repeatedly attacking prison guards and fellow inmates.
Peterson was seen as a dangerous inmate, spending long stretches in solitary confinement and sometimes needing to be sedated or restrained due to his violent behavior. He ended up in a high-security psychiatric ward, where his behavior became even more erratic, leading to rooftop protests and a hunger strike.
After being released in 1987 after 13 years, he briefly pursued a career as an illegal bare-knuckle boxer, adopting the stage name Charles Bronson, inspired by the famous American actor. However, he quickly returned to crime, robbing a jewelry shop and was back in custody within 69 days, sentenced to another seven years for armed robbery.
Bronson continued his violent behavior in prison, leading to multiple transfers and extended periods in solitary confinement. He was released in 1992 but was soon back in prison for assault and planning another robbery. Despite his violent past, he received a fine instead of prison time for one offense.
Just 16 days later, he was arrested again for planning another robbery and illegally possessing a sawn-off shotgun. During a hostage situation, he made bizarre demands, including a helicopter and an inflatable doll. His behavior escalated, leading to multiple hostage situations and attacks on prison staff.
In 1999, he took a civilian education officer hostage for 44 hours, causing significant damage to prison property. Eventually, authorities deemed him a habitual and violent criminal, leading to a life sentence.
Despite a brief period of stability after marrying a Bangladeshi divorcee and converting to her faith, he returned to his violent ways after their divorce in 2005. He has made numerous appeals against his life sentence, all of which have been denied.
In 2014, he legally changed his name to Charles Salvador in honor of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali. With a reputation for violent outbursts spanning over four decades, he may never be released from prison. Psychiatrists have debated the reasons behind his behavior, with some attributing it to anger management issues.
Behind his violent exterior, Bronson is said to be well-read and highly intelligent. He is a talented artist, award-winning poet, and published author. Recently, instead of resorting to violence over a meal complaint, he filed a formal written complaint to prison authorities.
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[Music][Laughter][Music]
My name’s Charles Bronson.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – The history of the French Revolution provides insight into the social and political upheavals of the time.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. – Understanding the psychology behind decision-making can help explain why people act irrationally under stress.
Violence – Behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something. – The violence of World War II had a profound impact on the global political landscape.
Crime – An action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law. – The rise in crime during the Great Depression was attributed to economic hardship and social unrest.
Imprisonment – The state of being imprisoned; captivity. – Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment became a symbol of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
Behavior – The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others. – The behavior of individuals during the Civil Rights Movement demonstrated the power of peaceful protest.
Marriage – The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship. – The marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had significant cultural and political implications in 19th-century Britain.
Legacy – Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past. – The legacy of Sigmund Freud’s theories continues to influence modern psychology.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – The education reforms of the 19th century played a crucial role in shaping modern public schooling systems.
Anger – A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. – The anger of the colonists over taxation without representation fueled the American Revolution.
