"Crime of the century" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe particularly sensational or notorious criminal cases.[1] In the United States, it is often—though not exclusively—used in reference to the Lindbergh kidnapping. However, the phrase was in popular use much earlier in the 19th century and has been used repeatedly ever since.[1][2]

Other criminal cases that have also been described as "the crime of the century" include the Leopold and Loeb case,[3] the murder of Patrick Henry Cronin,[2] and the Richard Speck case.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Chua-Eoan, Howard (n.d.). "Crimes of the Century: The Top 25". Time. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  2. ^ a b *Henry Hunt. The Crime of the Century; Or, the Assassination of Dr. Patrick Henry Cronin, H. L. & D. H. Kochersperger, 1889. via Internet Archive
  3. ^ Hal Higdon, Leopold and Loeb: The Crime of the Century, University of Illinois Press, 1999 (originally published 1975). ISBN 0-252-06829-7.
  4. ^ Breo, Daniel L.; William J. Martin (1993). Crime of the Century; Richard Speck and the Murder of Eight Student Nurses. New York, NY: Bantam Books. ISBN 0-553-56025-5.
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