Wyatt Earp, age 21

Wyatt Earp (1848–1929) was an American lawman, gambler, and gunfighter, best known for his role in the **Gunfight at the O.K. Corral** in Tombstone, Arizona, in 1881. Earp became a legendary figure in the American West, known for his association with frontier justice and his complex, often controversial life.

Born in Monmouth, Illinois, Wyatt Earp grew up in a family that moved frequently, living in various parts of the Midwest. Earp initially tried his hand at various professions, including farming, stagecoach driving, and law enforcement. He worked as a lawman in several towns throughout the West, where his reputation as a tough and determined officer grew. Earp's career included positions as a deputy sheriff, town marshal, and constable.

The event that solidified Earp's place in American history was the **Gunfight at the O.K. Corral**, which occurred on October 26, 1881, in Tombstone. Earp, along with his brothers Morgan and Virgil and his friend Doc Holliday, faced off against a group of outlaw cowboys, including the Clanton and McLaury brothers. The gunfight, which lasted only around 30 seconds, resulted in the death of three outlaws and was later immortalized in American folklore. However, the aftermath of the gunfight led to a series of conflicts, including the "Earp Vendetta Ride," in which Wyatt and his brothers pursued those they believed were responsible for the death of Morgan Earp.

Wyatt Earp’s life was filled with drama, and he was often involved in various confrontations, both as a lawman and a businessman. Despite the notoriety of the O.K. Corral, Earp was never formally celebrated in his time. It was only later, through books, movies, and television shows, that his legend grew, cementing him as a symbol of frontier justice and the American West.

In his later years, Earp moved to California, where he lived a relatively quiet life, involved in various business ventures. He passed away in 1929 at the age of 80. Today, Wyatt Earp remains one of the most iconic figures of the American Old West, largely due to his association with the O.K. Corral and his depiction in countless books, movies, and TV shows.