Davy Crockett Biography

(Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee from 1827 to 1831)

Birthday: August 17, 1786 (Leo)

Born In: Limestone, Tennessee, United States

Immortalized as the ‘King of the Wild Frontier’, Davy Crockett is one of the most celebrated and notable figures in American history. He is fondly remembered as the legendary and heroic partaker in the Texas War of Independence. This 19th century American frontiersman, soldier and politician also served in the Creek War. A born leader, Crockett represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Many years after his death, he continues to be a subject of many heroic and legendary stories in America. He is a well-known and publicly adored figure, especially in Texas, where there is a town named after him. His martyrdom, for the cause of the independence of Texas, inspired countless Texans to come to the battlefield and fight for the cause of independence. Remembered as the legend of the American frontier, Crockett has been popularized by the countless number of movies, plays and other 20th century television dramas and that has made him one of the most revered figures in American legacy. One of America’s greatest real-life legends, Crockett is, even today, one of the most enduring symbols of the Old West.
32
Quick Facts

Died At Age: 49

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Elizabeth Patton (m. 1815–1836), Polly Finley (m. 1806–1815)

father: John Crockett

mother: Rebecca Hawkins Crockett

children: John Wesley Crockett, Margaret Finley Crockett, Matilda Crockett, Rebecca Crockett, Robert Crockett, William Finley Crockett

Soldiers American Men

political ideology: National Republican (a/k/a: Anti-Jacksonian)

Died on: March 6, 1836

place of death: The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, United States

U.S. State: Tennessee

Cause of Death: Killed

Ancestry: French American

Ideology: Democrats

  • 1

    How did Davy Crockett die?

    Davy Crockett died at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 during the Texas Revolution.
  • 2

    What is Davy Crockett known for?

    Davy Crockett is best known for his role in the Texas Revolution and his heroic stand at the Battle of the Alamo.
  • 3

    Did Davy Crockett serve in the military?

    Yes, Davy Crockett served in the military, including the Tennessee militia and as a congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • 4

    Where was Davy Crockett born?

    Davy Crockett was born in Greene County, Tennessee, in 1786.
  • 5

    How did Davy Crockett become famous?

    Davy Crockett became famous for his larger-than-life personality, frontiersman skills, and his political career as a congressman and defender of the Alamo.
Childhood & Early Life
David Davy Crockett was born in Greene County, Tennessee to John Crockett, an American frontiersman and soldier and Rebecca Hawkins.
From the age of eight, he would accompany his father and elder brothers on their hunting expeditions. At the age of thirteen, he dropped out of school and ran away from home.
In 1799, he returned home and worked off his father’s debt to a man named, John Kennedy.
Continue Reading Below
Career
In 1813, he served under Colonel John Coffee in the Creek War and was enlisted in the Second Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Riflemen as a scout for 90 days.
On March 27, 1818, he was elected as a lieutenant colonel in the Fifty-seventh Militia regiment of Tennessee Militia.
On September 17, 1821, he was elected to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances at the Tennessee State House of Representatives.
In 1826, he was elected as ‘Jacksonian’ in the U.S. House of Representatives, after which he became an ‘Anti- Jacksonian’.
He opposed President Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act, after which he lost the elections in 1830.
In 1833, he was elected to the 23rd Congress and served until 1835, when he lost the re-elections.
On November 1, 1835 he set out on a journey to Texas along with three other men to explore the state.
On February 23, 1836, he arrived in Alamo and took part in a siege against the Mexican soldiers and he, along with fellow mates, fired at the Mexican soldiers. The battle lasted 90 minutes and soon the Mexican soldiers were forced to withdraw.
The siege continued between the Texan soldiers and Mexican soldiers until March 6, 1836 and after 13 days, the Mexican troops emerged victorious and all the Texan soldiers, including Crockett, were killed.
Continue Reading Below
Personal Life & Legacy
He got engaged to Margaret Elder at the age of nineteen but she eventually married someone else. This incident deeply affected him.
In 1806, he married Mary Polly Finley and the couple had two children together. His wide died in 1815.
In 1815, after the death of his first wife Mary Polly Finley, he married Elizabeth Patton and the couple had three children together.
In 1834, his autobiography titled ‘A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, of the State of Tennessee’ was published.
He died at the age of 49, while fighting against the Mexicans in ‘The Battle of Alamo’ in San Antonio, Texas.
In 1959, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation established the David Crockett State park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee in his honour.
In 1954, a five-part ABC serial ‘Davy Crockett’ was aired. Each episode of one-hour was based on his real life and the experiences of his friend, George Russel.
In the seventh season of The Discovery Channel TV series ‘Mythbusters’, the story of his life and hunting exploits were broadcast.
In 1955, the song ‘The Ballad of Davy Crockett’, a part of the Disney TV show, became one of the most popular songs to hit the pop charts.
Facts About Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett was known for his unique sense of humor and quick wit, often entertaining his fellow frontiersmen with tall tales and jokes around the campfire.
Despite his tough and rugged exterior, Crockett was also a skilled fiddler and enjoyed playing music for his companions in his spare time.
Crockett was a strong advocate for education and believed that every child, regardless of background, deserved the opportunity to learn and better themselves.
In addition to his famous coonskin cap, Crockett was also known for his distinctive buckskin clothing, which he made himself using traditional frontier techniques.
Crockett had a deep respect for Native American culture and often sought peaceful resolutions to conflicts with indigenous tribes, earning him a reputation as a fair and honorable man.

See the events in life of Davy Crockett in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Davy Crockett Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/davy-crockett-1198.php

People Also Viewed

Marcus Luttrell Biography
Marcus Luttrell
(American)
 
Alexander Vindman Biography
Alexander Vindman
(American)
 
Lynndie England Biography
Lynndie England
(American)
 
Dakota Meyer Biography
Dakota Meyer
(American)
 
Kyle Carpenter Biography
Kyle Carpenter
(American)
 
Jake McLaughlin Biography
Jake McLaughlin
(American)
 
Ron Kovic Biography
Ron Kovic
(American)
 
John Pippy Biography
John Pippy
(American)