Davy Crockett

David Crockett (born 1786, died 1836) was an American folk-hero usually referred to now by his nickname "Davy Crockett." He was born in Greene County, Tennessee, and was not well educated. In 1813 he served under General (later, President) Andrew Jackson in the campaign against the Creek Indians. In 1828 he was elected to Congress; he was defeated when he ran for re-election in 1831 but won when he ran again in 1833. In 1835 he was again defeated for re-election: Saying, "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas," he did just that, joining the Texas Revolution.

He took part in the Battle of the Alamo (February 23 - March 6, 1836) and for many years was believed to have gone down fighting there. Evidence has come to light since 1955 that makes it likely Crockett was one of the half dozen or so men taken prisoner after that battle and summarily executed by General (later President of Mexico) Antonio de Santa Anna.

One of his sayings, which were published in almanacs between 1835 and 1856 (along with those of Daniel Boone and Kit Carson) was, "Be always sure you are right, then go ahead." In 1955 his legend was again popularized by Walt Disney, who made several movies and a television series about him (starring Fess Parker); the "Ballad of Davy Crockett" and coonskin caps like the one he wore in those films were all the rage for a time. After that fad had waned, John Wayne starred as Crockett in the 1960 feature film The Alamo (the first film he also directed).