12. Buffalo Bill Cody
William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody founded the Wild West Show in 1883, becoming its charismatic headliner. His masterful showmanship—combining daring horseback stunts, precise sharpshooting displays, and dramatic reenactments—cemented him as the quintessential face of the American frontier. He toured North America and Europe, bringing the West’s bold spirit to international audiences. Through savvy marketing and self-mythologizing, Cody blurred reality and legend, turning his life story into must-see entertainment. Generations of performers trace their roots back to his blend of fact and flourish. His autobiography reveals the man behind the myth. Read it on Project Gutenberg.
