Charles Wells- better known as “the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo” – was a complex character. He broke the law many times yet he clearly had a generous streak. While he was in prison he gave another inmate some of his own food ration – an act for which he himself was punished.
As a young man he had enjoyed a career as a successful engineer, and sold one of his inventions for a very large sum. He then made a substantial donation to his local church, the eglise de Sainte Marguerite. His name was carved on a stone tablet there and can still be seen to this day.
For the whole story, see my book, The Man who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (published by The History Press; available on Amazon, at Waterstones and other good book shops in hardback and paperback. Also available as an audio book).