Chicago May: Her Story
The shocking true story of America's most notorious female criminal in the early 1900s. An unflinching memoir of crime, survival, and redemption.
Listen on SWOO.About this book
Chicago May: Her Story is the sensational autobiography of May Churchill Sharpe, known as "Chicago May," who became one of the most infamous criminals of the early 20th century. Published in 1928, this memoir offers a rare firsthand account of a woman's life in the criminal underworld.
Born in Ireland in 1871, May immigrated to America and eventually became involved in pickpocketing, confidence schemes, and blackmail operations across the United States and Europe. She associated with notorious criminals and lived a life of glamour and danger in equal measure.
Written late in her life, the book doesn't glorify crime but provides a brutally honest look at the consequences of her choices. May's story is a fascinating historical document that illuminates the criminal underworld, urban life, and the limited options available to women in that era.