History Lesson
Ever heard of Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr?
Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. was a notorious impostor who gained notoriety in the 1950s for successfully impersonating a wide range of professionals, from a doctor to a teacher to a prison warden. Born in Massachusetts in 1921, Demara was the son of a school principal and grew up in a strict Catholic household.
From a young age, Demara showed an aptitude for deception, often lying to his family and friends about his achievements and experiences. After dropping out of school at 16, he joined the army and served as a medic during World War II. During his time in the military, Demara discovered he had a talent for learning quickly and absorbing new information.
After leaving the army, Demara began his career as an impostor. He started by assuming the identity of a Trappist monk, living in a monastery, and working as a counselor to troubled youth. He then moved on to more high-profile roles, such as a doctor, a lawyer, and a teacher. In each case, he convinced others of his qualifications and expertise, often using his quick wit and charm to deflect suspicion.
Demara's most audacious impersonation came in 1951 when he assumed the identity of a navy surgeon and boarded a destroyer bound for Korea. He successfully performed surgery on wounded soldiers and was hailed as a hero by his fellow crew members. However, his true identity was eventually discovered, and he was court-martialed and dishonorably discharged from the navy.
After his time in the military, Demara continued his life of deception, assuming the identity of a prison warden, a ship's captain, and even a monk again. He was eventually caught and arrested in Spain in 1961 and served time in prison in both Spain and Canada.
Despite his many crimes and deceptions, Demara was often seen as a sympathetic figure, with some viewing him as a misunderstood genius or a victim of circumstance. He was the subject of a 1960 movie called The Great Impostor, starring Tony Curtis, which portrayed him as a lovable rogue.
Demara died in 1982 at the age of 60.
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As a child, Haven enjoyed learning everything they could about many subjects, though the best resource was her grandma’s old stack of encyclopedias in those days. Today, Haven still likes to know a bit about everything. When they're not researching information for their posts or flexing that history degree, Haven's going through the quizzes of other authors on the site - because this is where the facts are found! Visitors to our site turn to Haven's fun and factual articles to learn about all kinds of things, from do-it-yourself ideas to the wider world. Those who prefer to get their facts in article format can find Haven all across the web, as well.
Did you know?
High achievers often experience imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome doesn't just mean a lack of confidence. High achievers such as managers, accountants, surgeons, and celebrities can all get a dose of it.
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