Wyatt Earp

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Wyatt Earp

Q: Who was Wyatt Earp?

Wyatt Earp was a legendary frontiersman of the American West. He was an itinerant saloonkeeper, gambler, lawman, gunslinger, and confidence man, but he is perhaps best known for his involvement in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881.

Q: What happened at the O.K. Corral?

In 1881 Wyatt Earp and his brothers clashed with a local outlaw gang led by Ike Clanton. The conflict resulted in a famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. It pitted the Clanton gang against three Earp brothers and Doc Holliday. Three of the outlaws were killed, but Ike and another member escaped.

Q: When did Wyatt Earp die?

Wyatt Earp died on January 13th, 1929, in Los Angeles, California.

Q: What movies have been made about the story of Wyatt Earp?

Wyatt Earp has been the subject of movies and books that furthered his legendary status, though these became less frequent in the 21st century. Notable films include My Darling Clementine (1946), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), Tombstone (1993), and Wyatt Earp (1994).

American frontiersman

Also known as: Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Dec 17, 2024 • Article History

Quick Facts

In full:: Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp

Born:: March 19, 1848, Monmouth, Illinois, U.S.

Died:: January 13, 1929, Los Angeles, California (aged 80)

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Who was Wyatt Earp?

What happened at the O.K. Corral?

When did Wyatt Earp die?

What movies have been made about the story of Wyatt Earp?

Wyatt Earp (born March 19, 1848, Monmouth, Illinois, U.S.—died January 13, 1929, Los Angeles, California) was a legendary frontiersman of the American West, who was an itinerant saloonkeeper, gambler, lawman, gunslinger, and confidence man but was perhaps best known for his involvement in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1881). The first major biography, Stuart N. Lake’s Wyatt Earp, Frontier Marshal (1931), written with Earp’s collaboration, established the rather fictionalized portrait of a fearless lawman. Earp was the fourth of eight children born to Nicholas Earp and his second wife, Virginia Ann Cooksey. His four brothers—James (1841–1926), Virgil (1843–1905), Morgan ...(100 of 660 words)

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