A Short Biography of Buffalo Bill

William Frederick Cody or Buffalo Bill was a successful guide,  hunter, actor, writer, ranch owner and soldier. He is best known for his portrayal of himself in the traveling “Wild West Show.” During his life hundreds of books were written of his adventures, including ones he wrote himself. It is difficult to draw the line between fiction and history when it comes to Buffalo Bill. Though we can be fairly sure that he was a man of adventure and he was very popular indeed.

William Frederick Cody was born on February 26, 1846 in what is now the state of Iowa. At the time of Buffalo Bill’s birth it was called the Iowa Territory. In 1857, when Buffalo Bill was 11 years old, his father died. His mother moved the family to Kansas. In Kansas, Buffalo Bill worked as a wrangler and a messenger to help support his family. At the age of 14, Buffalo Bill joined the Pony Express.

Once William was old enough, he began working as a Union Scout during the Civil War. He eventually enlisted with the Seventh Kansas Cavalry. After the war he continued to work as a scout. He also married Louisa Frederici. Louisa and Bill had four children, two of which died in their youth. Read more of this article. Image Source.