David Crockett, an American backwoodsman and member of congress, born at Limestone, on the Nolachucky river, in Tennessee, Aug. 17, 1786, died in Texas, March 6, 1836. His father, of Irish birth, after various other avocations, opened a tavern on the road from Abingdon to Knoxville, where David passed his youth from 7 to 12 years of age. He was sent to a country school, but on the fourth day quarrelled with the schoolmaster, and after playing truant for a time in the woods fled from home to avoid a flogging threatened both by his father and master. For five years he roamed about with drovers and carriers, till in his 18th year he returned home, attended school for two months, learning his letters for the first time, and soon after married and went to live in the wildest portions of the state, distinguishing himself as a hunter. In 1813 he served in the Creek war under Gen. Jackson, and after the peace settled on Shoal creek, in a desolate region of Tennessee. A community of reckless characters having flocked together, it was found necessary to establish a temporary government, and he was appointed one of the magistrates. He soon after became a candidate for the legislature, and made a successful electioneering tour by shooting at matches and telling amusing stories.

He was twice reelected to the legislature, but devoted himself especially to bear hunting, till in 1827 he was elected by the party of Gen. Jackson a representative in congress. At Washington he obtained notoriety by the eccentricity of his manners and language. In 1829 he was again chosen to congress, but soon after changed from a partisan to an opponent of Jackson's administration; and in 1831 it required his most strenuous exertions to secure a reelection. Finding the influence of Jackson irresistible in Tennessee, Crockett subsequently sought a new career in Texas, then in revolt against Mexico, and after a series of military exploits met his death while defending Fort Alamo, in San Antonio de Bexar. After a hard siege the survivors, six in number, including Crockett, surrendered, but by order of Santa Anna they were put to death. His autobiography was published at Philadelphia in 1834.