Eliot Ness

Date of Birth: April 19, 1903

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: May 16, 1957

Biography

Eliot Ness was an American Prohibition agent, famous for his efforts to bring down Al Capone and his leadership of “The Untouchables.” Born on April 19, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois, Ness displayed an early interest in law enforcement and justice. After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in economics, he initially worked as an investigator for the Retail Credit Company. His career took a significant turn when he joined the Bureau of Prohibition in 1927. Ness became a national hero when he assembled a special team of agents to combat organized crime during Prohibition. This team, known as “The Untouchables,” was instrumental in gathering evidence that led to the conviction of Al Capone for tax evasion in 1931. Following his Prohibition work, Ness held various law enforcement positions, including Director of Public Safety in Cleveland, where he worked to clean up corruption within the police force and local government. Despite his early successes, Ness’s later years were marked by personal and professional difficulties. He struggled with financial instability and failed business ventures. He died of a heart attack on May 16, 1957, in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.

5 Interesting Facts about Eliot Ness

1. Eliot Ness’s team, “The Untouchables,” was named due to their unbribable and incorruptible nature.

2. Ness was known for his meticulous attention to detail, which played a crucial role in gathering evidence against Al Capone.

3. He served as the Director of Public Safety in Cleveland from 1935 to 1942, where he fought against police corruption and organized crime.

4. Ness ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Cleveland in 1947.

5. Ness’s autobiography, “The Untouchables,” co-written with Oscar Fraley, was published posthumously in 1957 and later adapted into a popular TV series and film.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Eliot Ness

1. “I have one thing that counts, and that is my integrity.”

2. “Never stop fighting till the fight is done.”

3. “You can get further with a kind word and a gun than you can with just a kind word.”

4. “If you’re afraid of getting a rotten apple, don’t go to the barrel. Get it off the tree.”

5. “The only way to deal with corruption is to expose it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Eliot Ness did not amass significant wealth during his lifetime. His net worth at its peak was modest, reflective of a public servant’s salary.

Children

Eliot Ness married three times but did not have any biological children. He did, however, adopt a son named Robert Ness with his third wife, Elizabeth Andersen Seaver.