David Crockett was born near Greeneville, Tennessee, on August 17, 1786. Spending many of his early years on the frontier, he received very little formal education. After serving as a scout in the Creek Indian War (1813-14), he moved to western Tennessee, where he became a justice of the peace, a colonel of militia, and, in 1821, a member of the state legislature. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1827, and served two terms.
A colorful personality, who often entertained his audience with tales of frontier life, Crockett gained national prominence during a much publicized tour of Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston (1834).
However, he failed to win reelection to the House in 1835. Hoping to assist in the war for independence, he then left to Texas, arriving at the Alamo in February 1836; unfortunately, he died in the massacre there on March 6.