David Crockett

David Crockett was an American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He is frequently referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives and participated in the Texas Revolution. Crockett grew up in East Tennessee, where he established a reputation for hunting and storytelling. He was appointed colonel of the Lawrence County militia and elected to the Tennessee state assembly in 1821. In 1827, he...See more

David Crockett was an American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He is frequently referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives and participated in the Texas Revolution. Crockett grew up in East Tennessee, where he established a reputation for hunting and storytelling. He was appointed colonel of the Lawrence County militia and elected to the Tennessee state assembly in 1821. In 1827, he was elected to the United States Congress, where he strongly opposed several of President Andrew Jackson's initiatives, particularly the Indian Removal Act. Crockett became well-known during his lifetime for his larger-than-life adventures, which were promoted by stage plays and almanacs. Following his death, he was associated with acts of mythical proportions. In the twentieth century, he was portrayed on television and in films, and he became one of the most well-known folk heroes in America. Davy Crockett's father was of French and Scots-Irish origin, and his mother was of English descent. The Crocketts were largely of French-Huguenot heritage, but the family had resided in Ulster, in northern Ireland, before going to America. Gabriel Gustave de Crocketagne was the first known paternal ancestor, and his son, Antoine de Saussure Peronette de Crocketagne, was appointed to the Household Troops by King Louis XIV of France. See less