The Shrewd Press Agent Who Transformed William Cody Into Larger-Than-Life Buffalo Bill
“Arizona John†Burke perfected the art of hype that converted a bison hunter into a symbol of national character
By Joe Dobrow, Zócalo Public Square
October 19, 2018
To appreciate the wonder and luster of a star in the sky, one must look off to its side—“averted vision,†it is called.
So it was in the late 19th century with the rising star of republics—the United States—and with the man who, more than any other, came to epitomize our nation’s drive, character, promotional flair, and obsession with celebrity: William F. Cody.
In the second half of the century, Cody, also known as “Buffalo Bill,†achieved a measure of renown in the United States as a Pony Express rider, plainsman, buffalo hunter, and military scout. Brave, rugged, handsome, and decidedly Western, he was the subject of hundreds of popular dime novels and became a stage actor portraying himself in a series of shoot-’em-up dramas that were wretched productions but nevertheless titillated theater-goers. Starting in 1883, his action-packed outdoor arena show, “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West,†attracted large audiences in places like Lancaster, Woonsocket, and Zanesville.
Read more:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/shrewd-press-agent-who-transformed-william-cody-into-larger-than-life-buffalo-bill-180970591/#sEUaWQgGmVPA6UyL.99
