February 10, 2015 – An Ohio lawyer from Cincinnati who turned bootlegger during the Prohibition Era is believed to be the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s protagonist, the Great Gatsby. The novelist was said to be fascinated by the larger-than-life personality of George Remus, whom he met by chance in a Louisville hotel.
Remus grew rich by making and distributing illegal alcohol in the 1920s and paid huge amounts to bribe police, lawyers, and other government officials. He flaunted his wealth – $900 million in today’s dollars – with lavish parties and expensive gifts for the guests. He also donated money and goods to the needy. When the law caught up with him, his time in an Atlanta jail was made more palatable thanks to a plush cell and servants. After he was freed, he beat a charge of murdering his wife, who spent his fortune while he was incarcerated. Remus died of natural causes in 1952 at the age of 77.
Link: Cincinnati.com
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