Jesse James was a notorious American outlaw and bank robber during the 19th century. Born in 1847 in Missouri, he became famous for his daring heists and his role in the James-Younger Gang, which terrorized the Midwest. His life of crime was marked by a series of robberies and shootouts, making him a legendary figure in American folklore. Despite his criminal activities, Jesse James was often romanticized as a Robin Hood-like figure, with some viewing him as a hero fighting against injustice. He was ultimately killed in 1882 by Robert Ford, a member of his own gang, which added to his mythos as a tragic outlaw.