Born: 1902
Died: January 15, 1983

The newspapers called Meyer Lansky “the Godfather’s Godfather” because he was considered to be the genius behind many of the mob’s profitable operations. Described as nearly invisible, his role in the Mafia was sometimes downplayed, although some historians believe he was equal—and perhaps superior—to Mafia godfather Lucky Luciano.

Born on the fourth of July

Lansky was born in Grodno, Poland, in 1902. When he was nine years old he immigrated to the United States with his parents, Yetta and Max Suchowljansky, and his younger brother and sister. Because his parents could not remember their son’s birth date, an immigration officer at Ellis Island, New York, made one up. Lansky was given a July 4 birthday. Born Mair Suchowljansky, he later Americanized his name, calling himself Meyer Lansky.

The Suchowljanskys settled into the Lower...