William "Buffalo Bill" Cody

NAME William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Buffalo Bill is best known for his role in shaping the myth of the American West through his legendary Wild West show, which toured internationally. He earned fame as a scout, hunter, and showman, and he remains a symbol of frontier life and cowboy culture.

BIRTH Born on February 26, 1846, on a farm just outside Le Claire, Iowa, United States.

FAMILY BACKGROUND William Frederick Cody was the third of seven children born to Isaac Cody and Mary Ann Bonsell Laycock Cody. His father was a farmer and lay preacher, while his mother was a school teacher who also helped with farming. She was descended from Pennsylvania Quaker pioneers.

CHILDHOOD When Buffalo Bill was just eight years old, in 1854, his family relocated to the Kansas Territory. This move exposed the young boy to the harsh realities of frontier life. He experienced his first wagon train journey, encountered American Indians, and witnessed the violent struggles of the Kansas Territory, known as "Bleeding Kansas."

Tragedy struck Buffalo Bill's childhood early. His father, Isaac, was stabbed for expressing anti-slavery views, leaving him gravely injured. Isaac tragically passed away in April 1857, when Buffalo Bill was only eleven years old. The loss of his father forced the young boy to take on the significant responsibility of supporting his family.

To help his family survive, Buffalo Bill began working at a tender age. At eleven, he became a "boy extra" for a freight carrier, delivering messages on horseback. He also embarked on his first journey across the Great Plains as a wagon train driver. By the age of fourteen, in 1860, he was riding for the Pony Express.

Cody in 1864 at the age of 19

Buffalo Bill's experiences on the frontier, coupled with the early loss of his father and the necessity to provide for his family, significantly shaped his character. These formative years prepared him for the adventures and career that would later define him as a legendary showman.

EDUCATION Cody had limited formal schooling due to his family’s need for him to help with farming and hunting. His early years were defined more by hands-on experience in the wild than traditional schooling.

CAREER RECORD Cody held many roles, from Pony Express rider and buffalo hunter to Army scout and performer. His nickname “Buffalo Bill” came from his contract to supply buffalo meat to the Kansas Pacific Railroad, where he shot over 4,000 bison in just 17 months.

Cody's Wild West show, founded in 1883, showcased real-life cowboys, sharpshooters, and Native Americans and toured internationally, further solidifying his legend.

APPEARANCE Cody was known for his flowing long hair, thick mustache, and goatee and flamboyant western attire, which included fringed leather jackets and cowboy hats.

Buffalo Bill Cody, standing just under six feet one inch tall, was considered tall and robust for his time. His height contributed to his commanding presence, which was further enhanced by his muscular build. He was described as having a "magnificent physical proportion," embodying the ideal of a frontiersman and showman.

Buffalo Bill c. 1875

FASHION Buffalo Bill’s fashion embraced the romanticized image of the American cowboy—elaborate, fringed buckskins and wide-brimmed hats. He also wore black thigh-high boots and beaded gloves. Cody would wave his hat as he made a sweeping bow to the crowd, which always brought the audience to its feet. His look became iconic, influencing cowboy fashion in pop culture.

CHARACTER Cody was charismatic, bold, and adventurous, traits that helped him thrive on the frontier and in the entertainment industry. He was also known for his generosity, particularly toward Native Americans who participated in his show.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Cody had a good-natured sense of humor, often telling tall tales of his exploits, blending fact with fiction, to entertain audiences both on stage and in personal conversations.

Cody named his .50 caliber rifle "Lucretia Borgia" after the infamous Italian noblewoman known for her beauty and deadliness. This choice shows a certain dark humor and playfulness in associating his weapon with a historical femme fatale.

RELATIONSHIPS Buffalo Bill married Louisa Frederici on her family farm in Arnold, Missouri on March 6, 1866. Their union produced four children, but sadly, only two survived to adulthood. The demands of his show business career often kept Cody away from home, straining their relationship. Years of jealousy, arguments, and family tensions contributed to a tumultuous marriage.

By 1891, the strain had become so significant that Cody entrusted his brother-in-law to manage Frederici's affairs. In 1904, after 38 years of marriage, Cody filed for divorce, accusing Louisa of attempted poisoning. However, this accusation was later proven false. The subsequent divorce trial became a public spectacle, with reporters exposing Cody's personal failings. Despite his efforts, Cody was unable to secure a divorce, as the judge ruled that incompatibility was insufficient grounds.

Surprisingly, Cody and Louisa reconciled in 1910. Louisa remained a constant presence in Cody's life, often accompanying him on his Wild West tours. She was a practical and resourceful woman who managed their household and properties during his frequent absences. Her frugality and business acumen contributed to their financial stability.

Despite their tumultuous relationship, Cody and Louisa's marriage endured for 51 years, weathering financial hardships, personal conflicts, and the pressures of Cody's fame. Their enduring bond is a testament to the resilience of their love.

William F. Cody and his wife, Louisa, and their daughters, Arta (left) and Orra (c. 1882)

MONEY AND FAMECody achieved great wealth and fame through his Wild West show, which made him an international celebrity. However, like many showmen of his time, he faced financial struggles later in life due to the high costs of running such a large touring production.

FOOD AND DRINK Cody’s time on the frontier required him to live off the land, hunting for food, particularly buffalo. He was a hearty eater, in line with the demands of his rugged lifestyle.

Given his lifestyle as a showman, Cody's diet would have included various meats, beans, bread, and whatever provisions were available during his travels.

Cody was known to enjoy whiskey. He developed a reputation as a drinker, particularly in his younger days. Accounts suggest that he enjoyed whiskey and would often tell stories while drinking, which contributed to his social persona among peers and officers during his time as a scout and performer.

However, Cody also demonstrated a level of self-control regarding alcohol. He generally abstained during the show season to set an example for his crew. In 1901, he noted that he was enjoying his travels more because he wasn't drinking, indicating a conscious effort to moderate his consumption for the sake of his responsibilities35. Despite his earlier habits, by 1905, he claimed to have quit drinking entirely as part of a personal spiritual awakening 

MUSIC AND ARTS  Imagine a time when the American West was still a frontier, a place of vast prairies, roping cowboys, and fierce Native American warriors. A man named Buffalo Bill Cody, with his handlebar mustache and steely gaze, dreamed of capturing the essence of this vanishing world and sharing it with the masses.

Cody's journey began in the 1870s with humble theatrical beginnings. He shared the stage with the legendary "Wild Bill" Hickok, a man so notoriously bad at acting he'd shoot at the spotlight if it bothered him. But Cody had a knack for showmanship, and soon he was touring the country with his own troupe.

In 1883, Cody founded Buffalo Bill's Wild West, a spectacle unlike anything the world had ever seen. It was a circus, a rodeo, and a history lesson all rolled into one. Cowboys, Indians, and even exotic performers from around the globe gathered under the Big Top. The show was a sensation, drawing crowds from far and wide.

The following year, the legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley approached Buffalo Bill Cody with a proposition: to join his touring company. Cody, always on the lookout for talented performers, agreed, and the following year, Oakley took the stage in the Wild West Show. Her incredible marksmanship and captivating personality quickly made her a star. Soon, posters for the show prominently featured her image, drawing in even larger crowds.

But Cody wasn't content to simply entertain. He wanted to educate. His show featured reenactments of famous historical events, like Custer's Last Stand, though the accuracy of these portrayals was often questionable. He also brought in real-life Western figures like Sitting Bull, giving audiences a glimpse into the lives of the people who shaped the American frontier.

Cody's Wild West show featured live music and dramatic re-enactments, blending elements of theater, music, and spectacle. Cody had a keen sense for the power of storytelling and the performing arts.

Cody's Wild West Show toured the world, from the dusty plains of Kansas to the grand boulevards of London. He even met the Pope! But it wasn't all glamour and glitz. Cody faced challenges, from financial difficulties to personal scandals. Yet, he persevered, driven by a desire to preserve the spirit of the Wild West for generations to come.

LITERATURE Buffalo Bill became a central figure in the popular “dime novels” of the late 19th century, which fictionalized his life and exploits. Writers like Ned Buntline and Prentiss Ingraham created a legendary image of Cody as a brave frontiersman, scout, and cowboy hero. These stories blurred the line between fact and fiction, elevating Buffalo Bill to a national myth.

Buffalo Bill published his own autobiographies, such as The Life and Adventures of Buffalo Bill (1879) and Story of the Wild West and Campfire Chats (1888). These works, while somewhat embellished, helped cement his legacy as a hero of the Wild West.

NATURE Cody had a deep connection to the natural world, especially through his experience as a hunter. He witnessed firsthand the devastation of bison populations and later became an advocate for wildlife conservation.

PETS Cody kept horses, which were central to his life and career. Horses were featured prominently in his Wild West show as part of the acts.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Cody was an avid horseman and hunter. His skills as a marksman were showcased in his performances, and he enjoyed hunting throughout his life.

Cody's ability to captivate audiences with his Wild West shows revealed his natural talent for storytelling and performance. He loved sharing tales of the frontier and bringing the American West to life.

Given his role in preserving and showcasing elements of Western culture, it's likely that Cody had a keen interest in collecting artifacts related to frontier life. These items served as tangible reminders of the past and helped him maintain a connection to his roots.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Cody's survival and hunting skills required a keen understanding of nature and animal behavior, as well as practical problem-solving.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Though raised in a religious household, for much of his adult life, Cody did not formally embrace Christianity,  though he expressed belief in God. In a 1901 letter to his sister, he wrote that he wanted to "do right" and lead an honest life, but was skeptical of organized religion 

In 1905, at age 59, Cody experienced what he described as a spiritual awakening. He wrote to his sister that he had "found God" and realized how easy it was to "abandon sin and serve him." This led him to quit drinking entirely.  After his 1905 experience, Cody began to express his faith more openly, often closing letters to friends and family with "God bless you" 

On January 9, 1917, just 24 hours before his death, Buffalo Bill was baptized into the Catholic Church by Father Christopher Walsh. He told the priest that he had always believed in God but had never belonged to any religion, and wished to die in the Catholic faith 

Cody wasn’t overtly philosophical. However, his father’s abolitionist beliefs influenced his views on freedom and equality. He was also a Freemason, achieving the 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite in 1894.

POLITICS Cody’s politics leaned progressive for his time. He advocated for Native American rights, employing them in his show and treating them with respect, though his show perpetuated some stereotypes. He was also a staunch supporter of women's rights.

Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill, Montreal, Canada, 1885

SCANDAL Cody’s turbulent marriage to Louisa was public, and his attempts at divorce drew attention. He also faced financial difficulties later in life, losing much of his wealth despite his fame.

MILITARY RECORD Cody enlisted in the Union Army in 1863 at the age of 17, serving ith the 7th Kansas Cavalry. Cody primarily served as a Union scout during the Civil War. 

After the warm Cody served as a scout for the U.S. Army, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1872 for valor during the Indian Wars. He was a scout for high-profile figures, including the Russian Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Cody remained physically active throughout his life, even in his later years. However, his health deteriorated due to kidney failure, which ultimately led to his death.

HOMES : In 1878, Cody moved his family to North Platte, Nebraska, where he assembled over 3,000 acres of land. He built a home called "Scout's Rest Ranch" here in 1886. This was his primary residence from 1886 to 1913.

Buffalo Bill co-founded the town of Cody, Wyoming and spent time there in his later years. His wife Louisa died in Cody in 1921.

TRAVEL Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show was a global sensation, captivating audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The show toured Europe multiple times, leaving an indelible mark on the continent.

Cody's first European tour took place in 1887, coinciding with Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The troupe's performances were met with great enthusiasm, culminating in a private "Royal Command" performance for the Queen at Earl's Court in London on May 9, 1887.

Five years later, in 1892, Cody's Wild West show was again invited to perform for Queen Victoria, this time at the prestigious Windsor Castle. These royal endorsements further solidified the show's reputation and popularity across Europe.

The Wild West show toured regularly to Europe from 1887 until 1906, captivating audiences in countries such as England, Italy, Germany, France, Austria-Hungary, and Belgium.

Notable performances included a tour of Italy in 1890, which culminated in a special blessing from Pope Leo XIII. In 1889, the show made a triumphant appearance in Paris, further cementing its international appeal.

By 1893, the Wild West show had grown to an impressive scale, boasting a company of over 650 people. This massive production included performers, support staff, and the legendary Wild West Show train, which transported the troupe and their equipment across Europe.

On October 29, 1901, while traveling near Lexington, North Carolina, a freight train collided with part of the train carrying Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 110 horses, either immediately or due to injuries sustained in the crash. Miraculously, no human lives were lost, but Annie Oakley suffered severe injuries. Doctors feared she might never walk again. Defying the odds, however, Oakley made a remarkable recovery.

DEATH Buffalo Bill Cody died of kidney failure on January 10, 1917, at the age of 70, at his sister’s home in Denver, Colorado. He was surrounded by family and friends. His funeral drew 25,000 mourners, and the Colorado National Guard participated in the procession.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Buffalo Bill, William Frederick Cody, made numerous appearances in various forms of media during his lifetime and after his death. These include:

1. Films Buffalo Bill appeared in some of the earliest silent films, making him one of the first real-life western figures to cross into the world of cinema. He was featured in The Indian Wars (1914), a film that re-enacted historical battles between Native Americans and the U.S. Army, which he helped produce. His Wild West show also heavily influenced the portrayal of cowboys and Native Americans in early Hollywood films.

2. Television and Movies (Posthumous) Buffalo Bill has been portrayed by numerous actors in films and TV shows after his death. Notable portrayals include:

Paul Newman in the film Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976), which offered a more critical and satirical view of Cody's legacy.

Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944), a more traditional biographical movie that emphasized his role in the American frontier.

Stephen Baldwin played him in Buffalo Bill: Beyond the Legend (1994), a documentary-style film.

3. Songs Buffalo Bill has been referenced in songs and folklore. One notable example is Bob Dylan's song "Bob Dylan's Dream," which references Buffalo Bill as a symbol of the Old West.

4. Video Games Buffalo Bill has appeared in modern media such as video games. In games like Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (2013), Buffalo Bill is featured as part of the mythos of the Wild West.

ACHIEVEMENTS Cody’s most significant achievement was founding and touring Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, which became a cultural phenomenon. He was a key figure in the creation of the myth of the American frontier, helping to popularize it worldwide. He was also a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.