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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Outlaw

Billy the Kid

Billy the Kid was an American outlaw and gunfighter of the Old West, generally identified as Henry McCarty and also known as William H.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Billy the Kid was an American outlaw and gunfighter of the Old West, typically identified as Henry McCarty. He is best known for his role in New Mexico's Lincoln County War and his death at the hands of Sheriff Pat Garrett at age 21.

Who he was

Billy the Kid was born in New York City around 1859, though his exact birth date is uncertain. His real name was Henry McCarty, and he later used the alias William H. Bonney. He became a notorious gunfighter and outlaw, with his life story deeply woven into Wild West folklore.

What he did

His outlaw career included involvement in the Lincoln County War — a violent conflict between rival factions in New Mexico. He also engaged in cattle rustling and multiple killings, though historical records show the claimed 21 kills are likely exaggerated. He famously escaped from jail before being tracked down.

Why he matters

Billy the Kid died young, shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett on July 14, 1881, in Fort Sumner. His brief, dramatic life turned him into a lasting symbol of the American frontier, inspiring countless books, films, and debates among historians about the line between fact and legend.

In short

  • He was born Henry McCarty and used the alias William H. Bonney.
  • He fought in the Lincoln County War, a key event in New Mexico's history.
  • He was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett at about age 21.
  • Despite his fame, only a few of the many killings attributed to him are verified.

Quick questions

Who was Billy the Kid?
He was an American outlaw and gunfighter of the Old West, generally identified as Henry McCarty.
How old was he when he died?
He was about 21 years old when Sheriff Pat Garrett killed him in 1881.
How many people did Billy the Kid kill?
Claims vary, but the traditional figure of 21 is unsupported; the verified number is much lower.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_the_Kid
    Supports: Basic identity, aliases, birth and death dates, Lincoln County War involvement, and traditional killing claims.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Billy-the-Kid-American-outlaw
    Supports: Biographical overview, disputed birth date, death by Sheriff Pat Garrett, and historical context.
  3. Library of Congress — https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2015/04/young-gun/
    Supports: Alias usage, approximate birth year, death by Pat Garrett, and burial in Fort Sumner.
  4. HISTORY — https://www.history.com/articles/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-billy-the-kid
    Supports: Age at death, alias, number of killings claimed, and general notoriety.
  5. New Mexico Tourism Department — https://www.newmexico.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/historical/billy-the-kid/
    Supports: Connection to New Mexico and death at Fort Sumner.
  6. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/us-history-biographies/billy-kid
    Supports: Alias, birth and death details, outlaw career, and traditional murder count claims.