Home › Authors › Thomas E. Gaddis 👤 Thomas E. Gaddis b. 1908 – d. 1984 · 2 books Biography American writer most noted for his biography, Birdman of Alcatraz (1955), about convicted murderer Robert Stroud. It was adapted as a 1962 film of the same name, starring Burt Lancaster. Books by Thomas E. Gaddis Unknown Men of Alcatraz Unknown Men of Alcatraz 1977 Birdman of Alcatraz 1957