Billy the Kid was a famous American outlaw and gunfighter from the Old West, born as Henry McCarty in 1859 and killed in 1881 at age 21. He became legendary for his role in the Lincoln County War and for the enduring myths about how many people he killed, though historians say the real number was far lower than the stories claimed.

Quick Scoop

  • He is one of the best-known figures of the American West.
  • He also used the names William H. Bonney and Henry McCarty.
  • He was captured, escaped jail, and was later shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
  • Popular legend says he killed 21 men, but Britannica says the actual number was likely under 10.

Why He Matters

Billy the Kid became more than just an outlaw; he turned into a Wild West legend. Writers, historians, and filmmakers have kept his story alive because it mixes violence, youth, and myth in a way that still grabs attention.

In One Line

Billy the Kid was a young 19th-century outlaw whose real-life crimes were overshadowed by the legend built around him.

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