Davy Crockett (August 17, 1786 - March 6, 1836) was an American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician, referred to in popular culture by the epithet "King of the Wild Frontier". He grew up in Tennessee, where he gained a reputation for hunting and storytelling. After being made a colonel in the militia of Lawrence County, he was elected to the state legislature in 1821. In 1825, Crockett was elected to the Congress, where he opposed many of the policies of President Jackson, most notably the Indian Removal Act. His opposition to Jackson's policies led to his defeat in the 1831 elections. He won again in 1833, then narrowly lost in 1835, prompting his angry departure to Texas (then the Mexican state of Tejas). In early 1836, Crockett took part in the Texas Revolution and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo at the age of 39. Crockett became famous in his own lifetime for larger-than-life exploits popularized by stage plays and almanacs. After his death, he continued to be credited with acts of mythical proportion.