# Buffalo Bill

> American frontiersman and showman (1846–1917)

**Wikidata**: [Q202285](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q202285)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Bill)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/buffalo-bill

## Summary

Buffalo Bill was born on February 26, 1846, in Le Claire [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. He died on January 10, 1917, in Denver [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. His citizenship was United States .His occupations included actor, writer, stage actor, frontiersman, businessperson, and circus performer [9]. His father was Isaac Cody [10][11][12], and his mother was Mary Ann Bonsell Laycock [10]. He was married to Louisa Frederici .He was buried at Lookout Mountain [3].

## Summary
Buffalo Bill, born William Frederick Cody, was an American frontiersman and showman renowned for his role in the Wild West shows that popularized the American frontier. A Medal of Honor recipient for his service in the Indian Wars, he founded the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, which toured internationally and shaped global perceptions of the American West.

## Biography
- **Born**: February 26, 1846
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Not specified
- **Known for**: Founding the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and his military service
- **Employer(s)**: United States Army, Buffalo Bill Wild West Show
- **Field(s)**: Entertainment, Military

## Contributions
- **Buffalo Bill Wild West Show (founded 1883)**: A traveling performance that showcased cowboy skills, Native American culture, and reenactments of battles, touring the U.S. and Europe until 1915.
- **Military Service**: Served in the American Civil War and Indian Wars; awarded the Medal of Honor in 1883 for actions during the Indian Wars.
- **Cultural Impact**: Popularized the myth of the American frontier through theatrical performances, influencing global perceptions of the Wild West.

## FAQs
**What was Buffalo Bill's most notable achievement?**  
Buffalo Bill is best known for creating the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, which entertained millions and mythologized the American frontier.

**What military honors did Buffalo Bill receive?**  
He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1883 for his service during the Indian Wars, specifically for actions at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

**Where did Buffalo Bill perform?**  
His Wild West Show toured extensively across the United States and Europe, including performances for royalty and heads of state.

**What was Buffalo Bill's role in the American Civil War?**  
He served as a scout for the Union Army during the Civil War, providing critical intelligence.

## Why They Matter
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show profoundly influenced American and global culture by romanticizing the frontier experience. His performances helped shape national identity and perpetuate the "Wild West" narrative, impacting media, entertainment, and historical memory. Without his efforts, the global perception of the American West might have developed differently, lacking the theatrical flair he introduced.

## Notable For
- **Medal of Honor Recipient**: Awarded for bravery during the Indian Wars.
- **Founder of the Wild West Show**: A groundbreaking entertainment spectacle that toured internationally.
- **Frontiersman and Scout**: Played a role in the American Civil War and westward expansion.
- **Cultural Ambassador**: Introduced European audiences to American cowboy culture and Native American traditions.

## Body
### Early Life and Military Career
Born on February 26, 1846, William Frederick Cody grew up in Iowa and Kansas. During the American Civil War, he served as a scout for the Union Army, later participating in the Indian Wars. His military service earned him the Medal of Honor in 1883.

### Buffalo Bill Wild West Show
In 1883, Cody launched the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, a theatrical production featuring cowboy demonstrations, Native American performances, and historical reenactments. The show toured the U.S. and Europe, performing for Queen Victoria and other dignitaries, and ran until 1915.

### Cultural Legacy
The Wild West Show popularized the mythology of the American frontier, blending reality and spectacle. It influenced early film and literature, cementing Buffalo Bill's status as a cultural icon. His portrayal of the West shaped both domestic and international views, often overshadowing the complexities of frontier life.

### Personal Life and Later Years
Cody died on January 10, 1917, in Denver, Colorado. His legacy extends beyond entertainment; he was also a businessman and promoter of Wyoming's tourism, contributing to the development of Cody, Wyoming, named in his honor.

### Honors and Recognition
Beyond the Medal of Honor, Buffalo Bill's impact is recognized through institutions like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, dedicated to preserving his legacy and the history of the American West.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Catalog of the German National Library
3. Genealogics
4. [Source](https://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/digital/collection/p15990coll2/id/530/rec/12)
5. [Source](https://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/digital/collection/p15990coll2/id/77/rec/2)
6. datos.bne.es
7. [Source](https://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/digital/collection/p15990coll5/id/9795/rec/2)
8. Find a Grave
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. SNAC
11. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
12. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
13. GeneaStar
14. Roglo
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [William Frederick Cody | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL2601094A/William_Frederick_Cody)
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. IdRef
19. [Source](https://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/digital/collection/p15990coll2/id/529/rec/12)
20. [Source](https://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/digital/collection/p15990coll2/id/105/rec/37)
21. BBC Things
22. LIBRIS. 2012
23. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands