Manson charles+biography

American criminal and cult leader (1934–2017)

Charles Milles Manson (né Maddox; November 12, 1934 – November 19, 2017) was an American criminal, cult leader, and musician who led the Manson Family, a cult based in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some cult members committed a series of at least nine murders at four locations in July and August 1969. In 1971, Manson was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of seven people, including the film actress Sharon Tate. The prosecution contended that, while Manson never directly ordered the murders, his ideology constituted an overt act of conspiracy.

Before the murders, Manson had spent more than half of his life in correctional institutions. While gathering his cult following, he was a singer-songwriter on the fringe of the Los Angeles music industry, chiefly through a chance association with Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys, who introduced Manson to record producer Terry Melcher. In 1968, the Beach Boys recorded Manson's song "Cease to Exist", renamed "Never Learn Not to Love" as a single B-side, but Manson was uncredited. Afterward, he attempted to secure a record contract through Melcher, but was unsuccessful.

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Commune, gang, and cult in California led by Charles Manson

"The Manson Family" redirects here. For the film, see The Manson Family (film).

For other people with the surname, see Manson (surname).

The Manson Family (known among its members as the Family) was a commune, gang, and cult led by criminal Charles Manson that was active in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The group at its peak consisted of approximately 100 followers, who lived an unconventional lifestyle, frequently using psychoactive drugs, including amphetamine and hallucinogens such as LSD. Most were young women from middle-class backgrounds, many of whom were attracted by hippie counterculture and communal living, and then radicalized by Manson's teachings. The group murdered at least 9 people, and may have killed as many as 24.

Manson was born in 1934 and had been institutionalized or incarcerated for more than half of his life by the time he was released from prison in 1967. He began attracting acolytes in the San Francisco area. They gradually moved to a run-down ranch, called the Spahn Ranch, in Los Angeles County. The ranch burned down during a Southern California wildfire in September 1970.

According to group member Susan Atkins, the members of the Family became convinced that Manson was a manifestation of Jesus Christ, and believed in his prophecies concerning an imminent, apocalypticrace war.

In 1969, Manson Family members Susan Atkins, Charles Denton "Tex" Watson, and Patricia Krenwinkel entered the home of Hollywood actress Sharon Tate and murdered her and four others. Linda Kasabian was also present, but did not take part. The following night, members of the Family murdered supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary at their home in Los Angeles. Members also commi

1934-2017

Who Was Charles Manson?

Charles Manson spearheaded a murderous campaign with his followers, the Manson Family cult, that made him one of the most infamous criminals in history. The group’s killing spree included the notoriously brutal slayings of pregnant actor Sharon Tate and other Hollywood residents. For these crimes, Manson received the death penalty in 1971, a sentence that was commuted to life in prison the following year. In total, he is thought to be responsible for around 35 murders. Manson died in prison of natural causes in 2017, just after his 83 birthday.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Charles Milles Manson
BORN: November 12, 1934
DIED: November 19, 2017
BIRTHPLACE: Cincinnati, Ohio
SPOUSES: Rosalie Jean Willis (1955-1958) and Leona Rae “Candy” Steves (1959-1963)
CHILDREN: Charles Manson Jr. and Charles Luther Manson
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Scorpio

Early Life

Charles Manson was Charles Milles Maddox born on November 12, 1934, in Cincinnati to Kathleen Maddox, a 16-year-old girl who was both an alcoholic and a prostitute.

Kathleen later married William Manson, but the marriage ended quickly, and Charles was placed in a boys school at age 12. Rejected in his attempts to return to his mother, Charles was soon living on the streets and getting by through petty crime.

Still just a teenager, in 1951, Manson began spending time in prison. Early on, before he discovered the benefits of being a “model” prisoner, he was considered dangerous. He would eventually spend half of the first 32 years of his life behind bars. When he wasn’t incarcerated, he also attended reform schools.

Manson was described by probation reports as suffering from a “marked degree of rejection, instability, and psychic trauma” and “constantly striving for status and securing some kind of love.” Other descriptions included “unpredictable” and “safe only under supervision.”

His various offenses included pimping and passing stolen checks, and in 1961, he wa