Bill the Butcher

William "Bill the Butcher" Poole (July 24, 1821 – July 14, 1855) was was one of the most prominent gangsters in 19th Century New York.  He was the leader of the New York City gang called the Bowery Boys. A butcher by trade who was very skilled with knives and a bare-knuckle boxer, he was known as one of the toughest street fighters in New York.