Ellsworth Raymond “Bumpy” Johnson was a complex and contradictory figure, at once a ruthless gangster and a Robin Hood-esque protector of his Harlem community. Born in 1905, he rose to power during the Prohibition era, running numbers rackets and battling rival gangs for control of Harlem’s lucrative underworld. However, he was also the husband to Mayme Hatcher Johnson, and their marriage provides a glimpse into what a real ride-or-die relationship looked like.
Research:
Forest Whitaker Fascinated by ‘Godfather of Harlem.’ by J. Carter
Bumpy Johnson And The True Story Behind “Godfather Of Harlem.” by H. McKennett
Mayme H. Johnson, 94, widow of Harlem gangster by Walter F. Naedele
Harlem’s Top Gambler Shot in Tavern
Gambler ‘Bumpy’ Johnson Guilty on Dope Charges
