Nathan F. Leopold, Jr.

American murderer

Also known as: Nathan Freudenthal Leopold, Jr.

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June 30, 2026

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Nathan Freudenthal Leopold, Jr., and Richard Albert Loeb were two wealthy teenagers from Chicago who, in 1924, committed the kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old Robert (Bobby) Franks. This crime, dubbed "the crime of the century," was carried out for the thrill of it, as both Leopold and Loeb were intellectually precocious and came from affluent families.1

They planned the murder meticulously, abducting Franks and killing him shortly after. However, clues, including Leopold's eyeglasses found at the scene, led to their swift confession. Famed lawyer Clarence Darrow defended them, arguing for life imprisonment instead of execution due to their youth and psychological state. The judge agreed, sentencing them to life for murder and 99 years for kidnapping.12

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Leopold and Loeb
The murderers and their victim
Leopold attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate at age 15, eventually transferring to the University of Chicago, where he graduated at 18. He then enrolled in the university’s law school. Loeb also attended the University of Michigan, and he graduated at 17, following…
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Leopold attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate at age 15, eventually transferring to the University of Chicago, where he graduated at 18. He then enrolled in the university’s law school. Loeb also attended the University of Michigan, and he graduated at 17, following…
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Clarence Darrow
Leopold and Loeb (1924)
…Darrow undertook the defense of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy and academically gifted Chicago teenagers who kidnapped and murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks for what they called an “intellectual” thrill. The case, widely dubbed “the crime of the century,” gripped the public with its gruesome details and privileged defendants.…
Read More
…Darrow undertook the defense of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy and academically gifted Chicago teenagers who kidnapped and murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks for what they called an “intellectual” thrill. The case, widely dubbed “the crime of the century,” gripped the public with its gruesome details and privileged defendants.…
Read More