---
title: James 'Jim' Bowie, c. 1820
author: William Edward West
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20939/james-jim-bowie-c-1820/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-09-09
---

# James 'Jim' Bowie, c. 1820

_Authored by William Edward West_

## Image File

[![James 'Jim' Bowie, c. 1820](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20939.jpeg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20939.jpeg)

## Image Caption

[Jim Bowie](https://www.worldhistory.org/James_Bowie/), oil on canvas painting by William Edward West, c. 1820.

James "Jim" Bowie (1796-1836) was a land speculator, Texas Ranger, slave trader, and joint commander of the [Alamo](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2805/the-alamo/) fortress in the [Texas Revolution](https://www.worldhistory.org/Texas_Revolution/), where he died on March 6, 1836, at the [Battle of the Alamo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_the_Alamo/). The eponymous Bowie knife was named for his legendary knife-fighting, the most notable tale of which was the [Sandbar Fight](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2838/sandbar-fight/), a one-on-one duel that spiralled into a chaotic brawl between outside parties.

Texas Capitol, Austin.

## Cite This Work

### APA
West, W. E. (2025, September 09). James 'Jim' Bowie, c. 1820. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20939/james-jim-bowie-c-1820/>
### Chicago
West, William Edward. "James 'Jim' Bowie, c. 1820." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 09, 2025. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20939/james-jim-bowie-c-1820/>.
### MLA
West, William Edward. "James 'Jim' Bowie, c. 1820." *World History Encyclopedia*, 09 Sep 2025, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20939/james-jim-bowie-c-1820/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jimbowie.jpg) by [**William Edward West**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jimbowie.jpg). Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 09 September 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.