The Troubling Upbringing of Charles Manson: A Look into His Childhood

Charles Luther Manson, one of the most notorious cult leaders in American history, was born on November 12, 1934, to a 16-year-old mother in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, his early life was marked by instability and neglect, which would eventually shape him into the criminal he became.

While his mother, Kathleen, was incarcerated, Charles lived with his aunt Glenna, uncle Bill, and their daughter Jo Ann. The conditions were harsh, with thick glass separating him from his mother during visits at a state prison that resembled an old medieval castle. This experience left a lasting impact on young Charles.

Kathleen's own upbringing was marked by rebellion against her devoutly religious family. She disobeyed the teachings of the Nazarene church and developed a heavy drinking habit, often abandoning Charles to fend for himself or with various babysitters while she socialized with different men.

Manson's biological father, Colonel Walker Henderson Scott Sr., was in the army, but he never returned after Kathleen told him she was pregnant. Charles' last name came from his mother's subsequent marriage to William Eugene Manson when he was under a year old.

As Charles grew older, his home life became increasingly unstable. His stepfather, William, was an alcoholic who would often go on benders for days at a time. This tumultuous environment likely contributed to Charles' own problems with substance abuse and criminal behavior later in life.

The early years of Charles Manson's life set the stage for his eventual descent into crime and notoriety. Despite being born to a 16-year-old mother, he would go on to become one of the most infamous criminals in American history, leading the Manson Family in brutal murders that shocked the nation.

Charles luther manson