Crockett, Davy (David) (1786–1836)

Last stand at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Though the Alamo fell to the Mexicans, the death of its Texan defenders – including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie – came to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of liberty. The Texan army under Sam Houston shouted ‘Remember the Alamo!’ as it defeated Mexican forces led by Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto in April 1836.

US folk hero, born in Tennessee. He served under Andrew Jackson in the war with the Creek American Indians (1813–14), then entered politics, serving on the state legislature from 1821 to 1824. He was a Democratic Congressman 1827–31 and 1833–35. A series of books, of which he may have been part-author, made him into a mythical hero of the frontier, but their Whig associations cost him his office. He clashed with Jackson, who he claimed had betrayed his frontier constituency, and left for Texas in bitterness. He died in the battle of the Alamo during the War of Texan Independence.