Mayme Hatcher

Memoir about life with gangster Bumpy Johnson

Biography

Mayme Hatcher Johnson (born June 1, 1914 – died February 28, 2010) was an American woman who became known primarily through her marriage to notorious Harlem gangster Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson. After Bumpy's death in 1968, Mayme lived a quiet life while preserving her husband's legacy and sharing stories about Harlem's criminal underworld during the 1950s and 1960s. Late in life, she collaborated on her memoir, detailing her experiences in the insular world of organized crime in Harlem. Mayme's accounts have become historically significant for understanding the social dynamics of mid-century Harlem, including the relationship between organized crime, the drug trade, and the African American community. Her biographical work was adapted into television and film, introducing a new generation to her story. Mayme represents a fascinating historical perspective on an often-overlooked period and place in American history, offering personal insight into the lives of those connected to Harlem's most powerful criminal figures.

The Name Mayme

Mayme is a vintage American name most popular in the early-to-mid 20th century, and Mayme Hatcher represents that era's naming conventions while her life story provides historical context for understanding mid-century American culture.

Quick Facts

Mayme

American origin

“A vintage Americanism combining May with an -me ending, evoking early 20th-century informal pet names and historical charm. The name feels nostalgic and approachable, as if it belonged to a grandmother or character in a period novel, while remaining usable as a modern given name.”