# Billy the Kid

> American outlaw and gunfighter (1859–1881)

**Wikidata**: [Q44200](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44200)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_the_Kid)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/billy-the-kid

## Summary
Billy the Kid, born William Henry McCarty Jr. (also known as William H. Bonney), was an American outlaw and gunfighter active in the late 19th-century Wild West. He became a notorious figure in frontier history for his involvement in the Lincoln County War and his legendary reputation as a deadly gunslinger.

## Biography
- Born: November 23, 1859 (alternative date: September 17, 1859)
- Nationality: United States
- Education: None formally documented
- Known for: Participation in the Lincoln County War, killing multiple men, and escaping from jail
- Employer(s): Lincoln County Regulators
- Field(s): Outlawry, gunfighting, law enforcement conflicts

## Contributions
Billy the Kid is primarily known for his role in the Lincoln County War (1878–1879), where he aligned with the Lincoln County Regulators, a deputized posse involved in a violent conflict over local economic and political control. His actions during this period, including his escape from Lincoln County Jail in April 1879, cemented his notoriety. He was ultimately killed in 1881, having been accused of multiple homicides, with estimates of his kills ranging widely.

## FAQs
**Who was Billy the Kid?**  
Billy the Kid was a legendary American outlaw and gunfighter of the Old West, known for his role in the Lincoln County War and for killing multiple individuals in self-defense and conflict. He was born as William Henry McCarty Jr. and went by several aliases, including William H. Bonney and Henry Antrim.

**What are some key dates in Billy the Kid's life?**  
He was born in 1859 and died on July 14, 1881, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, at the hands of Sheriff Pat Garrett. His life spanned just 22 years, but he became one of the most infamous figures of the American frontier.

**What group was Billy the Kid associated with?**  
He was a member of the Lincoln County Regulators, a deputized posse involved in the Lincoln County War, a conflict between rival factions in the territory that included figures such as Sheriff Brady and Colonel Albert Jennings Fountain.

**How many people did Billy the Kid kill?**  
It is estimated that Billy the Kid killed 8 to 21 people, depending on the source, with his final known killing being that of Sheriff Brady. His victims included both lawmen and civilians, often in volatile confrontations.

**How did Billy the Kid die?**  
Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett on July 14, 1881, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, while allegedly unarmed and under the alias "Kid Antrim."

**What is Billy the Kid's real name?**  
His birth name was William Henry McCarty Jr., though he was also known by aliases such as William H. Bonney, Henry Antrim, and Kid Antrim.

## Why They Matter
Billy the Kid remains a cultural icon of the American frontier, embodying the lawlessness and violence of the Old West. His life and death have become symbolic of the mythos of the American frontier, inspiring countless books, films, and legends. His story is often cited in discussions of frontier justice, violence, and the romanticization of outlaws in American culture.

## Notable For
- Being one of the most infamous figures of the American Old West
- Allegedly killing between 8 and 21 men
- Escaping from Lincoln County Jail in 1879
- Participation in the Lincoln County War
- Being fatally shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881
- Inspiring numerous films, books, and folklore
- Being a member of the Lincoln County Regulators

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Billy the Kid, born William Henry McCarty Jr., was born in 1859 in New York City. His father, Patrick Henry McCarthy (alias William Antrim), was reportedly absent from his life. His mother, Catherine McCarty, died in 1874, after which he was largely left to fend for himself. He eventually made his way to the American Southwest, where he became involved in the violent conflicts of the frontier.

### Aliases and Names
Billy the Kid was known by numerous aliases, including:
- William Henry Bonney
- William H. Bonney
- Henry Antrim
- Kid Antrim
- William McCarty
- Patrick Henry McCarthy

These names reflect both his legal identity and the various personas he adopted during his short life.

### Lincoln County War
In 1878, Billy the Kid joined the Lincoln County Regulators, a group formed to oppose the rival Murphy-Dolan faction during the Lincoln County War. This conflict, which involved local economic interests and law enforcement, placed Billy at the center of a violent struggle that resulted in multiple deaths and his own outlaw status.

### Criminal Activities and Notoriety
Billy the Kid was involved in cattle rustling, robbery, and gunfights. His ability to escape from Lincoln County Jail in April 1879, where he killed two guards, further solidified his reputation as a cunning and dangerous outlaw. He was accused of killing between 8 and 21 men, with some estimates placing the number higher.

### Death and Legacy
Billy the Kid was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett on July 14, 1881, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. He was reportedly unarmed at the time. His death marked the end of a life steeped in violence and myth. His story has since been immortalized in American folklore, film, and literature, often romanticizing his role as a young outlaw defying authority in a lawless land.

### Cultural Impact
Billy the Kid's life has inspired a wide array of cultural works, from dime novels to Hollywood films. His image as a rebellious antihero continues to resonate in American culture, symbolizing the chaotic nature of the frontier and the blurred lines between law and outlawry.

### Affiliations and Relationships
- **Lincoln County Regulators**: A deputized posse involved in the Lincoln County War.
- **Sheriff Pat Garrett**: The lawman who ultimately killed Billy the Kid in 1881.
- **Murphy-Dolan Faction**: The rival group in the Lincoln County War, opposed by the Regulators.

### Historical Record
Billy the Kid's documented aliases, aliases of associates, and the events of his life are preserved in historical records, including court documents, newspaper accounts, and biographies. His exploits were widely reported in the press of the time, contributing to his larger-than-life status.

### Modern Recognition
Today, Billy the Kid is remembered not only for his violent exploits but also for his role in shaping the mythology of the American West. His life has been studied, debated, and celebrated, making him a central figure in the lore of the frontier. Museums, documentaries, and academic works continue to explore his impact on American culture and history.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Find a Grave
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. SNAC
5. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
6. Roglo
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. [Source](https://newmexico.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/historical/billy-the-kid)
10. [Source](https://www.newmexico.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/historical/billy-the-kid)
11. Quora
12. LIBRIS. 2012
13. [Billy the Kid | Bill & Ted Wiki | Fandom](https://billandted.fandom.com/wiki/Billy_the_Kid)