Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer. He was the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary figure of the Wild West after his death.

Jesse and his brother Frank James were most active with their gang from 1866 until 1876, when their attempted robbery of a bank in Northfield, Minnesota resulted in the capture or deaths of several gang members. They continued in crime for several years after but on April 3, 1882, Jesse was killed by a member of his own gang, Robert Ford, in St. Joseph, who hoped to collect the reward.

He lived and died in St. Joseph.