# David Koresh

> American religious sect leader of Branch Davidians (1959-1993)

**Wikidata**: [Q431015](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q431015)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koresh)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/david-koresh

## Summary
David Koresh was an American religious sect leader who founded the Branch Davidians (1959–1993). He is best known for his controversial leadership during the 1993 Waco siege, where federal agents stormed his compound, resulting in a 51-day standoff and the deaths of 86 people, including 76 children.

## Biography
- Born: August 17, 1959
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Attended Texas Tech University (1977–1978)
- Known for: Leading the Branch Davidians and the 1993 Waco siege
- Employer(s): Founder of the Branch Davidians
- Field(s): Religious leadership, apocalyptic movement

## Contributions
- Founded the Branch Davidians in 1959, a religious group that believed in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a messianic kingdom.
- Led the group through various legal and financial struggles, including a 1993 federal raid on their compound in Waco, Texas, which resulted in a 51-day siege and the deaths of 86 people, including 76 children.

## FAQs
**What was the Branch Davidians?**
The Branch Davidians was a religious group founded by David Koresh in 1959, which believed in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a messianic kingdom. The group was known for its apocalyptic teachings and legal disputes with the government.

**What happened during the Waco siege?**
In 1993, federal agents raided the Branch Davidians' compound in Waco, Texas, leading to a 51-day standoff. The siege ended in a fire that killed 86 people, including 76 children. Koresh and other members were killed in the fire.

**What were David Koresh's beliefs?**
Koresh believed in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a messianic kingdom. He led the Branch Davidians with a strict interpretation of biblical prophecy.

## Why They Matter
David Koresh's leadership of the Branch Davidians and the 1993 Waco siege remain a highly controversial and debated event in American history. The siege, which resulted in the deaths of 86 people, including 76 children, has been widely criticized for its handling by federal authorities. Koresh's beliefs and actions continue to be studied by historians, sociologists, and legal experts, shaping discussions on religious extremism, government overreach, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals.

## Notable For
- Founder of the Branch Davidians, a controversial religious group
- Leader during the 1993 Waco siege, which resulted in the deaths of 86 people
- Known for his apocalyptic beliefs and strict interpretation of biblical prophecy
- Subject of extensive historical and legal analysis due to the Waco siege

## Body
### Early Life and Education
David Koresh was born on August 17, 1959, in the United States. He attended Texas Tech University from 1977 to 1978 before dropping out to pursue his religious beliefs.

### Religious Leadership
Koresh founded the Branch Davidians in 1959, a religious group that believed in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a messianic kingdom. The group was known for its apocalyptic teachings and legal disputes with the government.

### The Waco Siege
In 1993, federal agents raided the Branch Davidians' compound in Waco, Texas, leading to a 51-day standoff. The siege ended in a fire that killed 86 people, including 76 children. Koresh and other members were killed in the fire.

### Legacy and Controversy
The Waco siege remains a highly controversial and debated event in American history. Koresh's beliefs and actions continue to be studied by historians, sociologists, and legal experts, shaping discussions on religious extremism, government overreach, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/04/us/growing-up-under-koresh-cult-children-tell-of-abuses.html)
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. MusicBrainz
4. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/03/us/cult-leader-s-body-identified-death-is-attributed-to-a-bullet.html)
5. SNAC
6. Find a Grave
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/15/us/cult-had-illegal-arms-expert-says.html)
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/sound/koresh.html)
11. BBC Things
12. Quora
13. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
14. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
15. The Movie Database