Butch Cassidy
He engaged in criminal activity for more than a decade at the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, but the pressures of being pursued by law enforcement, notably the Pinkerton detective agency, forced him to flee the United States.
- field
- Outlaw, train and bank robber
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Leader of the Wild Bunch; partner of the Sundance Kid
Lore & Background
He grew up on his parents' ranch near Circleville. As a teenager, he fled home and, while working on a dairy ranch, met cattle thief Mike Cassidy.
Reader's Guide
Cassidy's life illustrates the transition of the American frontier from open range to industrial expansion, as train and bank robberies targeted symbols of corporate power. The Pinkerton detective agency's pursuit of him highlights the growing reach of organized law enforcement. His story, blending fact and myth, continues to shape popular perceptions of the Old West.
Did You Know?
- Butch Cassidy's real name was Robert LeRoy Parker.
- He got the nickname 'Butch' from a brief apprenticeship with a butcher in Rock Springs, Wyoming Territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Butch Cassidy?
Butch Cassidy was the popular nickname of Robert LeRoy Parker, a cowboy born in 1866 in Beaver, Utah Territory, who grew into one of the most recognized outlaws of the American West. He is best remembered as the leader of a gang of train and bank robbers active in the 1890s and early 1900s.
What was the Wild Bunch and what role did Butch Cassidy play in it?
The Wild Bunch was a loose gang of criminal outlaws that Cassidy organized and led during the closing years of the 19th century. Under his direction, the group carried out a string of train and bank robberies across the western United States until mounting pressure from agencies like the Pinkerton Detective Agency forced them to scatter.
How did Butch Cassidy's story end?
Cassidy is believed to have been killed on November 7, 1908, in Bolivia, where he had fled with the Sundance Kid and Etta Place to escape American law enforcement. The precise details of his death remain uncertain, but he is thought to have been shot during a confrontation in South America.
Why is Butch Cassidy considered an important figure in American history?
Cassidy became the quintessential symbol of the Old West outlaw era, representing the era when charismatic criminals defied federal and state authorities before being relentlessly pursued by private detective agencies. His legend, cemented alongside the Sundance Kid, has been retold in countless films, novels, and popular culture references well into the modern day.
Who was the Sundance Kid and how did he connect to Butch Cassidy?
The Sundance Kid was Harry Longabaugh, Cassidy's closest partner and co-leader of the Wild Bunch. The two men planned and executed robberies together for years and ultimately made the decision to flee the United States as a pair, traveling to South America with Etta Place.
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