Kate Leigh
Australian gangster / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kathleen Mary Josephine Leigh (née Beahan; 10 March 1881 – 4 February 1964) (other names included Kathleen Barry, and Kathleen Ryan) was an Australian underworld figure who rose to prominence as a madam, illegal trader of alcohol and cocaine, and for running betting/gambling syndicates from her home in Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia during the first half of the twentieth century. Leigh, known as the ‘Queen of Surry Hills’, was a sly groger and fence for stolen property.
Kate Leigh | |
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Born | Kathleen Mary Josephine Beahan (1881-03-10)10 March 1881 |
Died | 4 February 1964(1964-02-04) (aged 82) |
Burial place | Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park |
Nationality | English Australian |
Other names |
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Occupation(s) | Gangster, brothel madam, cocaine trafficker |
Years active | c. 1920s–1950s |
Known for |
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Spouses |
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She was a leading figure in the notorious Sydney razor gang wars. She was known for her continuing feud with fellow vice-regal underworld figure Tilly Devine, a madam based at Woolloomooloo, as well as her acts of generosity for the unemployed during a repressive era, and her wartime patriotism.[1]