Robert Elliott Burns
Robert Elliott Burns | |
|---|---|
Burns at a court hearing | |
| Born | May 10, 1892 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | June 5, 1955 (aged 63) East Orange, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Resting place | Beverly National Cemetery |
| Notable work | I Am a Fugitive from a Georgia Chain Gang! (1932) |
| Spouses | Emily Del Pino Pacheco
(m. 1926; div. 1929)Clara Cecilia Graykowski
(m. 1932) |
| Children | Robert; Frances; Caroline; Suzanna |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 14th Engineer Battalion |
| Battles / wars | |
Robert Elliott Burns (May 10, 1892 – June 5, 1955) was an American World War I veteran known for escaping from a Georgia chain gang and publishing the memoir, I Am a Fugitive from a Georgia Chain Gang!, exposing the cruelty and injustice of the chain gang system. His memoir and story was adapted into the similarly titled 1932 Oscar-nominated film I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, which received nominations for Best Picture and Best Actor for star Paul Muni.