The Most Famous Black Cowboy, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the cowboy you think is the most famous!
Updated on Apr 19, 2024 08:03
The history of the Wild West is rich with stories of daring exploits and adventurous spirits, among which Black cowboys played a significant yet often overlooked role. Their resilience and skills not only shaped the early frontier but also contributed profoundly to the cultural fabric of America. Understanding their impact and recognizing their contributions is not only important for historical accuracy but also enriches the narrative of the American West.
By ranking these exceptional figures, we acknowledge and celebrate their achievements, bringing their stories to the forefront where they rightly belong. Each vote is an opportunity to honor their legacy and ensure their tales continue to inspire future generations. This dynamic ranking engages everyone in the process of both learning about and appreciating the crucial roles these individuals played in history.
Who Is the Most Famous Black Cowboy?
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170votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainNat Love is also known as Deadwood Dick, he was a legendary cowboy and rodeo star in the late 1800s. He wrote his autobiography, "Life and Adventures of Nat Love, Better Known in the Cattle Country as Deadwood Dick" in 1907. -
234votes
Bill Pickett is known for inventing the rodeo sport of bulldogging, where a cowboy jumps from his horse and wrestles a steer to the ground by biting its lip. He was inducted into the National Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1971.Bill Pickett in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Oklahoma
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Texas
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous rodeo cowboy
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318votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainBass Reeves is a former slave who became the first Black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River. He was credited with arresting over 3,000 criminals during his career.Bass Reeves in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous fisherman
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423votesBose Ikard is a cowboy and ranch hand who worked for Charles Goodnight, one of the pioneers of the cattle industry. Ikard was known for his loyalty and hard work, and was immortalized in Larry McMurtry's novel "Lonesome Dove."
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513votesJohn Ware is a Canadian cowboy who was known for his skill with horses and his contributions to the ranching industry in Alberta. He was inducted into the Canadian Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1979.
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62votes
Unidentified photographer · Public domainIsom Dart is a cowboy and outlaw who became a folk hero in the American West. He was known for his daring exploits, including robbing trains and stagecoaches. -
710votesBob Lemmons is a legendary cowboy and horse trainer who was born into slavery in Texas. He became known for his skill in catching wild mustangs, and his techniques were passed down through generations of cowboys.
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82votesRobert Johnson is a cowboy and rodeo star who was known for his skill in bull riding. He was a two-time world champion in the 1950s and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979.Robert Johnson in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous blues artist
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912votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainMary Fields is also known as Stagecoach Mary, she was the first Black woman to work for the U.S. Postal Service and became a legend in the American West. She was known for her toughness and her ability to handle difficult situations.Mary Fields in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous female gunslinger
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101votesGeorge Fletcher is a Black cowboy who competed in the first official rodeo in Prescott, Arizona in 1888. He was known for his skill in steer wrestling and was a popular figure in the rodeo circuit.
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Black cowboy. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Cowboy is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2026 views
- 180 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Cowboy once every 24 hours. The rank of each Cowboy is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous black cowboy
When most people think of cowboys, they may picture a rugged, ruggedly handsome white man riding through the Wild West. However, the history of black cowboys in America is rich and often overlooked. In fact, it's estimated that one in four cowboys during the late 1800s was black. These cowboys worked alongside their white counterparts as trail drivers, cowhands, and ranchers.
One of the most famous black cowboys was Nat Love, also known as "Deadwood Dick." Born a slave in Tennessee in 1854, Love ran away from his plantation at the age of 15 and eventually made his way to Dodge City, Kansas. There, he found work on various ranches and became known for his expert horsemanship and marksmanship.
Love went on to become a skilled rodeo performer and even won the roping contest at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo in 1907. He later wrote an autobiography, "Life and Adventures of Nat Love," which detailed his experiences as a cowboy and helped to bring attention to the contributions of black cowboys in American history.
Other notable black cowboys include Bill Pickett, who invented the rodeo sport of bulldogging, and Bose Ikard, who was a trusted companion and trail driver for legendary cowboy Charles Goodnight. Today, the legacy of these brave and skilled cowboys lives on through movies, books, and the continued celebration of their contributions to American history.
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