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The Papers of William F. Cody - Buffalo Bill Historical Center

The Papers of William F. Cody

The Papers of William F. Cody: Examining both sides of Buffalo BillThrough The Papers of William F. Cody, an archive of the life and times of an American icon, readers are given glimpses of attitudes of the time through his interactions with individuals ranging from statesmen and royalty to noted military and literary figures who sought his opinion on policy questions concerning the American West. A greater understanding of public attitudes and political, economic, and environmental policies that affected the United States during his lifetime are also reflected in his lesser-known roles as a community founder, businessman, rancher, and investor.

Papers include:

  • Correspondence (Personal and Business)
  • Business Records
  • Published and Unpublished Writings
  • Memoirs and Autobiographies
  • Video and Audio Recordings
  • Photographs
  • Print Media, including Advertising Art

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center and The Papers of William F. Cody work jointly with the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities at University of Nebraska-Lincoln to create and expand the William F. Cody Archive, an invaluable record of late nineteenth-century and early-twentieth-century American national development. Through this digital archive and its associated texts, researchers and visitors have an unequaled opportunity to see, through the eyes of Buffalo Bill, the expansion and growth of the American West.

Click the button to view the digital archive:

The Papers of William F. Cody Editorial Staff

The Papers of William F. Cody Editorial Consultative Board


Published Works

Book: The Life of Hon. William F. CodyThe Life of Hon. William F. Cody,
Known as Buffalo Bill

Edited by Frank Christianson

The Papers of William F. Cody present Buffalo Bill’s autobiography. This volume is based on the original 1879 edition with a new intro, historical materials, and images.

Available in our Museum Store, online, or by calling 800.533.3838.

Click image for a larger view.

Book: Four Years in Europe with Buffalo BillFour Years in Europe with Buffalo Bill

Edited by Chris Dixon

Charles Eldridge Griffin’s memoir of the 1902 – 1906 European tour of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. Manager of the tour, Giffin presents a fascinating account of the show’s travels.

Available in our Museum Store, online, or by calling 800.533.3838.

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Book: The Wild West in England

The Wild West in England

By William F. Cody
Edited by Frank Christianson

Available in our Museum Store, online, or by calling 800.533.3838.

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Book: Buffalo Bill from Prairie to PalaceBuffalo Bill: From Prairie to Palace

By John M. Burke
Edited by Chris Dixon

Available in our Museum Store, online, or by calling 800.533.3838.

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Funding provided by:

  • Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, a program of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
  • National Endowment for the Humanities
  • Institute of Museum and Library Services
  • Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Great Plains Studies, and Center for Digital Research in the Humanities

Additional funding provided by:

  • Carol Boyce
  • Linda Clark
  • Dellenback Family Foundation
  • Nancy-Carroll Draper Foundation
  • William C. Garlow
  • Jeremy and Amanda Johnston
  • Adrienne and John Mars
  • The McMurry Foundation
  • Jack Rosenthal
  • W. Richard and Margaret Webster Scarlett III
  • Naoma Tate and the Family of Hal Tate
  • Wyoming Community Foundation: Carol McMurry Library Endowment
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