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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Lawman

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp (1848–1929) was an American frontier lawman, gambler, saloon keeper, and businessman best known for his role in the Gunfight at the O.K.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Wyatt Earp (1848–1929) was an American frontier lawman and gambler best known for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. His life became a lasting symbol of the Old West.

Early life

Wyatt Earp was born in Monmouth, Illinois, on March 19, 1848, and grew up in a large family. His early career included stagecoach driving and buffalo hunting before he became a lawman.

Law enforcement career

Earp served as a marshal in rough frontier towns such as Wichita and Dodge City. His work as a peace officer built his reputation and led to his later fame in Tombstone.

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

In 1881, Earp, his brothers, and Doc Holliday were involved in a shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. This event became one of the most famous episodes in American Western history.

In short

  • Born in Illinois in 1848, died in Los Angeles in 1929.
  • Famous for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881.
  • Worked as a lawman, gambler, saloon keeper, and boxing referee.
  • His legend helped shape the mythology of the Old West.

Quick questions

Who was Wyatt Earp?
Wyatt Earp was an American frontier lawman and gambler best known for his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
When was Wyatt Earp born?
He was born on March 19, 1848, in Monmouth, Illinois.
What is Wyatt Earp most famous for?
He is most famous for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyatt_Earp
    Supports: Birth and death dates, occupations, years active, and major associations
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Wyatt-Earp
    Supports: Biographical overview, frontier reputation, and O.K. Corral association
  3. Sky HISTORYhttps://www.history.co.uk/biographies/wyatt-earp
    Supports: Law enforcement career, O.K. Corral involvement, and later life context
  4. University of Nebraska–Lincolnhttps://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.ii.020.html
    Supports: Early life, frontier occupations, and historical significance in the American West