Charles Arthur Salvador, formerly known as Charles Ali Ahmed and born as Michael Gordon Peterson, is a British criminal who has spent much of his life in solitary confinement. He is better known as Charles Bronson, a nickname given to him by the British press as the "most violent prisoner in Britain" and "Britain's most notorious prisoner".
Bronson's criminal history began as a petty criminal, eventually leading to a seven-year sentence for armed robbery in 1974. Additional time was added to his sentence due to attacks on prisoners and guards. Upon his release in 1987, he began a bare-knuckle boxing career in the East End of London, but was returned to prison in 1988 after being convicted of planning another robbery.
Throughout his years in prison, Bronson has been known for his violent behavior and has taken numerous hostages in confrontations with guards, leading to a life sentence. He has been held at times in each of England's three special psychiatric hospitals, and is one of the highest-profile criminals in Britain.
Despite his violent past, Bronson has found solace in art, becoming an outsider artist. His paintings and illustrations of prison and psychiatric hospital life have been publicly exhibited and won him multiple awards. In 2014, he changed his name to Charles Salvador in honor of his favorite artist Salvador Dalí, and founded the Charles Salvador Art Foundation to promote his artwork and "help those in positions even less fortunate than his own" to participate in art. Through art, Bronson has been able to channel his energy and emotions, finding a sense of purpose and meaning in his life.