Lincoln Lecture: The Authentic Life of Ash Upson

Join us for the Lincoln Lecture Series, where we delve into fascinating topics from guest lecturers throughout the state. This month’s program is by lecturer John LeMay who will present “The Authentic Life of Ash Upson.”

Itinerant journalist Ash Upson (1828-1894) was a true "rolling stone" of the western frontier, first kicking around New York with Edgar Allen Poe and then tutoring the children of Mormon leader Brigham Young in Utah before making his way to New Mexico. There he befriended two of the Wild West’s greatest legends: outlaw Billy the Kid and the man who slayed him, Sheriff Pat Garrett. After Garrett killed the Kid in 1881, he famously aspired to write his own rendition of the life of William H. Bonney. To do so, Garrett recruited Upson to be his ghostwriter on The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid, published in 1882. It is largely believed that Upson made up the first half of the book, hence its many falsehoods, and Garrett dictated the latter factual half of the book to Upson detailing the outlaw’s capture. During the course of the lecture, discover how Upson “invented” the early years of Billy the Kid while also learning about Upson’s own fascinating life in the process.

John LeMay is the author of more than sixty non-fiction books, many of them on the history of the Southwest. Among his better-known titles are Tall Tales and Half Truths of Billy the Kid and The Man Who Invented Billy the Kid: The Authentic Life of Ash Upson. LeMay is a Past President of the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico in Roswell, and also currently serves on the board for the Historical Society of New Mexico.

The Lincoln Lecture Series takes place in the Billiard Hall inside the historic Courthouse and is included with admission of $7/adults and free to children 16 years and younger, NM disabled veterans, NM foster families, Friends of Lincoln members, and MNMF members. Pre-purchase admission online at https://my.nmculture.org/56506/60039.